Citizens Advice in Grimsby now has a dedicated veterans’ lead to help provide support and key advice on the issues directly affecting forces veterans as they adjust to civilian life in North East Lincolnshire.
Veteran Dave Pearson, who was an RAF ground electrical engineer for 22 years, has been funded by North East Lincolnshire Council’s Household Support Fund as an Armed Forces Lead to work alongside NEL4Heroes, which is also based at Citizen’s Advice, to tackle issues including money and debt, disability benefits, housing advice, family and employment advice.
His experience of forces life is expected to be invaluable in overcoming some of the barriers that prevent veterans from seeking help when they return to civilian life. These often relate to pride and the military ethos that nine times out of ten you can sort out a problem yourself.
The primary objective of the Government-funded Household Support Fund is to enable councils and community groups to provide crisis support for vulnerable households. It aims to prevent people falling into crisis at all, or falling deeper into crisis if they are already in difficulties.
It also aims to boost personal resilience by supporting ongoing, community-led, preventative activities that go beyond initial support.
There are believed to be around 7,000 veterans living in North East Lincolnshire and many of these will have successfully adapted to life outside of the military without extra assistance. However, some people need help and support on a wide range of everyday issues that military life specifically protects them from.
Steve Sampher, Chair of NEL4Heroes, explained that military life teaches recruits to focus specifically on the task in hand, and anything that detracts from that is taken care of. This includes provision of housing, food and payment of bills.
This can make adapting to civilian life problematic and stressful and, added to the trauma of military combat in war zones, can seriously impact mental health when they leave the forces.
Eighteen months ago, Steve helped to set up NEL4Heroes after 27 years in the Army. He had spent nine years in recovery and rehabilitation after being blown up by an IED bomb while leading a troop in Afghanistan, and eventually lost his leg.
After the Army, he worked for National Veterans’ Mental Health Charity, Combat Stress, but gave up his role to set up a support system for local veterans.
Steve felt his experience, including of PTSD, gave him valuable insight into recovery pathways for veterans in a similar position.
In January, NEL4Heroes was granted charity status and now has a permanent base at the Citizens Advice Centre, in Town Hall Street.
Duncan Rossiter, Chief Executive Officer, Citizens Advice, recognised the need for a dedicated veterans lead to be based with his team, to empathise with veterans but also have the support of other experienced advisors around him to signpost clients to the right help.
“This funding has enabled us to employ an Armed Forces Lead with lived experience; someone who truly understands that being part of the Armed Forces, and the transition to civilian life at the end of service, comes with unique challenges,” he said.
“Our project’s role is to ensure that no one has to face that journey alone. We are here to offer tailored advice, access to specialist services, and a listening ear. We will be working in partnership with the practical and welfare support provided by NEL4Heroes and other local charities, to ensure our local Armed Forces community receives the best support possible, as we know they should.”
Dave has been appointed to the Armed Forces Lead role following a £32,000 grant from the NELC Household Support Fund, which includes help with salary, training and administration costs for a year.
He said: “I feel that being a veteran myself gives me a head start in this role because unless you have been in the military it is very difficult to truly understand the problems you might encounter when you return to civilian life.
“Veterans are very proud people and, in the military, we are taught to solve problems ourselves and not ask for help. That is the biggest obstacle to overcome when you leave the forces, you have to learn that asking for help is the best thing you can do.
“I think that it is easier for ex-forces people to take that advice from someone who is also a veteran themselves. I will be attending all of our local groups to get to know veterans and find out where help is needed, and I really urge them to come and chat with me and utilise the support that we can offer.”
Regular coffee mornings take place at Navigo and Centre4, as well as other venues throughout the area to bring veterans together to access a wide range of support. One conversation can lead to an outpouring of support that many veterans are unaware exists.
This new service complements the support offered through the Armed Forces Team in Cleethorpes to veterans and their families. The Armed Forces Team operates out of the Knoll on Alexandra Road, and has Blighty’s coffee shop alongside – a regular meeting place for veterans and families. The team also takes on the responsibility of organising the annual Armed Forces weekend celebrations to say thank you to the Armed Forces community.
Cllr Ron Shepherd, NELC Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “The Household Support Fund is available to support valuable community services and the appointment of a Citizens Advice Armed Forces Lead is exactly that.
“There are so many ex-forces veterans in North East Lincolnshire who deserve help and guidance in adapting to civilian life, and having a point of contact with someone they trust and share commonalities with is very important.
“I hope that veterans in North East Lincolnshire who need help and guidance after leaving the military will take full advantage of this service.”
Check out NEL4Heroes on facebook for all local events, Armed Forces Cleethorpes on facebook for information about Armed Forces weekend, or call Citizen’s Advice North East Lincolnshire on 0808 2505 701.
Photo captions:
Above: Dave Pearson, Armed Forces Lead for Citizens Advice, North East Lincolnshire, who is funded by NELC’s Household Support Fund.
Below: Steve Sampher, Chair of NEL4Heroes.
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