Help and advice for armed forces and ex-service personnel

Stockton Council has marked its support for the local services community by adopting an Armed Forces Community Covenant.

The covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local armed forces representatives. It not only recognises the contribution of serving personnel, their families and veterans but importantly it identifies practical ways the Council can help them access support to help them adjust to life after leaving the services.

In turn, the armed forces promote ties with the local community and offer support wherever they can.

Many of the commitments made in Stockton follow an award-winning review by all the region's councils into the health needs of ex-service personnel.

Although this found most were able to move successfully back into civilian life, it also identified opportunities to help them avoid disadvantage due to their time in the Forces and to support those who may need extra help.

Other members of Stockton Renaissance, the local strategic partnership, have also signed up to the principles in the Community Covenant, including Cleveland Police, local NHS services, Cleveland Fire Brigade, JobCentre Plus, Teesside Probation Service and Catalyst on behalf of local voluntary and community services.

Helpline

Stockton Borough Council have set up a helpline number (01642) 528334 for members of the Armed Forces and Ex Forces service personnel which is available Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm.

Stockton Council services

Leaving the armed forces can have a huge impact on the effect on your life and your family. Not only must you find a new job and housing, but also settle your family into schools, jobs and social activities.

A wide range of services are available from Stockton Council that can help with your resettlement. A range of our services that we think might be helpful get you and your family settled quickly is listed below:

Housing

Get advice about housing in the Stockton Borough area
Find out about help with adaptations to your home
Apply for Housing and Council Tax Benefit

Education

Find out which schools and colleges are near to your home
Apply for a primary or secondary school place for your child

Jobs and training

Apply for a job with Stockton Council

Help from other organisations

A range of support services are also available from local and national organisations that will help to get you settled into civilian life.

Health services

Find out where you can access local NHS services
The Veterans’ Wellbeing Assessment and Liaison Service (VWALS) is a new mental health and wellbeing service to support veterans and their families in the north east. For the very first time, it will provide a single point of access to the range of mental health support services which already exist across the region, making it much easier to get signposted to the right help and support. Anyone wishing to access VWALS should call (0191) 441 5974 or e-mail vwals@nhs.net. VWALS will run as a pilot scheme for a year from June 2012.
The local mental health trust (Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust) has a dedicated, nationally recognised Community Veterans Mental Health Service which provides tailored support for those who have left the Forces. There is also a Veterans Wellbeing Group in order to provide information and guidance for interested local veterans http://www.tewv.nhs.uk/veterans

Other services

Looking for a job or training? Need advice about resettlement? Trying to work your way through the pensions minefield? You'll find a whole range of useful guides and contacts are available via the Royal British Legion's Civvy Street website.
The Royal British Legion (RBL) http://www.british-legion.co.uk/ provides practical care, advice and support to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans of all ages and their families. The RBL run the Poppy Calls Handy Person Service which provides a service for small household repairs and minor adaptations around the home.
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help provides financial, practical and emotional assistance to anyone that is currently serving or has ever served in the Army, Navy or RAF, and their families. The local branch can be found at the TA Centre, Norton Road, Stockton-on-Tees. Contact (01642) 553666 or http://www.ssafa.org.uk/
The North East Job Centre Plus has dedicated Armed Forces Champions in each area. The contact for Tees Valley is Chris Blaney who can be contacted on 07966566800 or christina.blaney@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
Middlesbrough Citizens Advice Bureau provides a dedicated Money and Benefits advice service for veterans across Teesside. Contact (01642) 802314 or blsupport@middlesbroughcab.cabnet.org.uk
The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency is responsible for pay and pensions provision http://www.veterans-uk.info/index.htm
Finchale College http://www.finchalecollege.co.uk/vocpath.php is a specialist training college which hosts a veterans support network and produces a Directory of Services. Finchale was founded in 1943 as a rehabilitation and resettlement centre for disabled servicemen.