New support service for veterans’ families launched

WWTW Family Support Worker Victoria Squires

A new support service has been launched in Greater Manchester to help the families of people who have served in the armed forces.

The pilot is a first for Greater Manchester, supporting veterans’ partners and families across the county.

The Royal British Legion has teamed up with Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) to tackle issues surrounding mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), domestic violence, finance, housing, employment and education.

Victoria Squires, Family Support Worker for WWTW, said: “Alongside the Legion, we’ve always worked directly with veterans, but we recognised that whilst veterans are getting support their families are often left behind, so this is a new pilot scheme to work directly with those families and improve their outcomes.

“A lot of the families I’ve met need emotional support and someone to offload to, who isn’t already part of their circle of family or friends.

“But I also get involved in practical issues, including homelessness, and I’ve helped to house two families already in the first weeks of the project.

"There’s no better feeling than being able to help an entire family.”

Alison Bunn, Area Manager for the Royal British Legion in Greater Manchester, said: “We’ve identified a very real need to provide support for veterans’ families. 

"The target is to build up a client list of 40 families during the one-year pilot and the two charities will work together to identify the best way to support them.

"We refer clients to each other, depending on the need and our own specialism.

“That support could include anything from help with debt advice, housing and employment to mental health and drug issues.”

Victoria previously worked in a Category B prison supporting veterans in custody, who were high-risk offenders serving long sentences, often concerned about their families on the outside.

She said: “In prison, the veterans have access to mental health support and live in a military-style regime where they go to bed when they’re told and eat when they’re told.

"But their worry is always their family on the outside, so I understand first-hand the issues surrounding veterans’ families.

“Our immediate aim is to build up a network of partners and families right across Greater Manchester so I’m getting the word out to those families to let them know about our services and explain that there is support available to them now.”

Gary Lamb, North West Operations Manager for WWTW, said: “We're delighted to welcome Victoria to the team, she's an incredibly hardworking individual and is already making a difference and changing lives.

"I’m really pleased to see the Manchester Hub growing and being able to deliver services to family members.

"The role is a great asset to WWTW, Greater Manchester and the north west.”

If you need to contact the WWTW Family Support Team they will arrange a 1-2-1 meeting to produce a support plan – please call 0161 205 9287 or email: Victoria.squires@wwtw.org.uk

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