BIG - Forces in Mind
£35 million has been invested by the Big Lottery Fund to bring the Forces in Mind Trust into action. FIMT, a partnership of UK forces charities and mental health organisations, led by the Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO), has been given partnership support from The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry which will back the Trust with its own grants over a three-year programme as well as helping raise awareness of the issues facing veterans.
Over the next 20 years,the Forces in Mind Trust will provide UK-wide long-term support and advocacy for Service personnel and Veterans to make a successful transition to civilian life.The focus will be on addressing a range of problems that some ex-service personnel and their families can experience back in civilian life, such as poor mental health, family breakdown and alcohol-related problems.
A pilot project at Catterick in Yorkshire will provide 12 months of enhanced support and guidance on employment, accommodation, educational needs, and mental health issues for approximately 1000 early service leavers from across the UK.
The Trust’s work will also include commissioning research to improve knowledge of the issues affecting veterans and their families, which will help shape new services and inform national policy. The Trust will also undertake awareness raising campaigns, and provide peer advice and support, particularly to those veterans who are most vulnerable.
For further information please call Tel: 0845 4 10 20 30 or Email: forcesinmind@biglotteryfund.org.uk
Full information is available for download from Website: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_forces_in_mind.htm?regioncode=-uk
