£35million of lotto funds goes to former UK military and their families
£35 million has been invested by the Big Lottery Fund to bring the Forces in Mind Trust into action today.
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.
Peter Ainsworth, Big Lottery Fund UK Chair said: “By investing this £35 million, the BIG Lottery Fund is enabling a ground-breaking programme of expertly-designed interventions and activities, offering essential assistance which will not only improve to the lives of ex-service people directly but inform national policy and practice more widely.
The Chairman of the Forces in Mind Trust, Air Vice-Marshal Tony Stables said:“Our intention is to give those leaving the armed services, and their families, the best opportunity for a successful return to civilian life so that they can fully participate in society. As a first step, the Forces In Mind Trust will undertake a comprehensive review of
the transition process from military service to civilian life for all service men and women, and their families.
The aim is to ensure that we are able to provide the evidence needed to deliver projects, either directly or in partnership with other charities and organisations, so that those undergoing transition have a positive outcome.
The Trust’s work willalso 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.
The Forces in Mind Trust continues BIG’s long-standing legacy of support for veterans across the UK. Since 2004 the Fund has given more than £88 million to programmes supporting veterans. The Fund’s Heroes Return initiative has enabled over 51,000 Second World War veterans, widows, spouses and carers to journey back to the places where they served and fought or where their loved ones died.
Apart from COBSEO Members, key supporting charities are: The Mental Health Foundation, Centre for Mental Health and Shaw Trust. COBSEO represents, promotes and furthers the interests of Service and ex-Service men and women of all ranks, and of their spouses and dependants, by all practical, legal and proper means. COBSEO’s
membership consists of about 167 Service and ex-Service organisations including 65 regimental associations.
