Inverclyde Veteran Support Continues to Make a Difference
Inverclyde Council improves access to services for veterans, service personnel, reservists and their families.
Since the signing of the Armed Forces Community Covenant in 2012, Inverclyde Council Customer Service Centre continues to offer specific advice and support; ensuring veterans get the help they need.
Inverclyde Council’s customer service representatives have received specialist training to assist residents of Inverclyde who are part of the service personnel community. This is a valuable service making sure that serving personnel (including reservists), veterans and their families are now able to access services to which they and their family are entitled and are not disadvantaged by serving or having served in the armed forces.
Customers are encouraged to make themselves known to Customer Services who will either help customers at the first point of contact, or refer on to services where specialist support is provided such as medical treatments, benefits, housing or employment.
The Customer Service Centre can also refer individuals to the Veterans Welfare Service who will check any financial benefits which may be applicable, including compensation payments and pension arrangements for veterans injured during their career.
Veterans Support Advisor, Jane Duncan, has been appointed to work across Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire Councils. Jane served 22 years with the Army’s Royal Signal Corps, which included tours in Kosovo and Bosnia as well as three tours of Northern Ireland.
Jane says: “When we use the word ‘veteran’, there’s a common assumption that we’re talking about an elderly generation who served in earlier conflicts. But ‘veteran’ describes anyone leaving the Services and, in the majority of cases, we’re talking about young men and women in their late 20s or early 30s who have served for four to six years. We’re also reaching out to reservists because there’s also a common misconception that they don’t need the same support.
“Many of those who serve are proud of how they can look after themselves, and reluctant to be seen as asking for a hand-out. But this is help and support they are entitled to, same as anyone else.
“It’s not about seeking an advantage for those who have served, but making sure that they aren’t disadvantaged.”
“Also, our veterans have so much to offer their local communities. The community covenant is a two-way agreement, as much about how the Armed Forces community engages with the local community as the other way round. That’s another important message I hope to help get across during my time in the job.”
Council Leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe said: “We have an important duty to support the armed forces as an employer and local authority and earlier this month I was pleased to see the council has agreed to apply for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) employer recognition ‘gold award’. This recognition scheme is another opportunity for us to build on that commitment and show that Inverclyde supports the armed forces.”
Councillor Gerry Dorrian, Veterans Champion, said: “We are delighted to continue to provide this service and I would encourage anyone who either is directly affected or knows someone who might be eligible, to get in touch. Since Aug 2014, we have helped more than 90 veterans in Inverclyde receive intensive support by way of assistance with housing problems, applying for service related compensation and backdated welfare benefit payments, as well as making links with charities that support the ex-service personnel community.”
Any individual or family who feels they might benefit from such support is being encouraged to contact the council direct on 01475 717171 or email customerveterans@inverclyde.gov.uk
Further information is also available online www.inverclyde.gov.uk/firmbase