Army veterans, serving soldiers, and their families will benefit from improved access to trauma-informed drug, alcohol and mental health support, thanks to our £50,000 grant to WithYou.
Members of the Army community can experience distinct pressures, which are sometimes linked to service life. For those experiencing mental health challenges or substance abuse, taking the first step to ask for help can feel daunting, particularly when support is difficult to navigate or poorly coordinated.
WithYou, a charity supporting more than 100,000 people each year, is working to break down these barriers through its Armed Forces Community Programme. The initiative is expected to support around 420 Army family members, including more than 300 Army veterans. Delivered by local Armed Forces leads embedded within frontline services, the programme connects individuals to coordinated pathways into treatment, housing and employment advice, peer support and wider wellbeing activities.
Our grant will contribute towards the delivery and coordination of this specialist support, which will improve continuity of care and reduce fragmentation.
Andy Craze, National Lead at WithYou, said:
“Over recent years, we have seen demand for our support increase significantly. This funding will help us continue delivering vital support whilst being able to further our reach to more of the Armed Forces community and organisations, to ensure the level of care they need and deserve. We are very grateful for the continued support of the Army Benevolent Fund. With this support, we continue to make a meaningful difference to the Armed Forces community.”
Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer of the Army Benevolent Fund, added:
“WithYou’s Armed Forces Community Programme ensures veterans and their families can access specialist support from practitioners that truly understand their experiences. By connecting treatment with wider welfare pathways, the programme is helping people to move forward with confidence and improve their long-term wellbeing.”
To find out more about WithYou, visit their website here.