Veterans in the 2021 Census

The next census is on Sunday 21st March 2021.

This year for the first time there will be questions to identify Veterans and those serving in the military.

Why are they doing this? Well a recent survey identified that veterans were poorly represented when it comes to funding and service provision.

The government pre pandemic wanted the United Kingdom to be the best place to be a veteran, this census will be part of this.

This is the BFBS interview to help explain, and answer any questions you may have.

HMP Stocken host first ever Official Veterans’ Prison Breakfast Club

HMP Stocken: supporting the Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Clubs

HMP Stocken has become the first prison to hold an official Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club (AFVBC), an international movement supporting veterans and their families. 

With over 320 clubs being held in 14 countries around the world, it was a first for Dereck Hardman, a former soldier, and Founder of the Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club network, who was overwhelmed at the idea of a prison hosting one of his breakfast clubs.

A place to belong

Military personnel can often find adjusting to civilian life difficult and end up in the criminal justice system. 

This is why the equalities team at HMP Stocken felt so strongly about supporting the veterans in their care.

Lindsay Beadnall, the Equalities Lead, set up the initiative at Stocken. 

She explains: “Involvement ends isolation, giving veterans in particular, a sense of belonging, which many of them have lost after leaving their respective services.”

The breakfast morning proved to be a huge success with a combination of both staff and prisoner veterans taking part alongside many guests and supporters, including Dr Sarah Furness, the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, partners from the Royal British Legion, Oakham AFVBC, and local welfare officers. 

Dr Sarah Furness, Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, said: “What a success. Thank you for all you have done. I feel so proud that HMP Stocken and Rutland are leading the way.”

Tracey Taylor, who runs Oakham’s AFVBC with her husband Mark, added: “Fantastic morning and so privileged that you allowed us to be part of it.  It was even noted that the staff were wearing civilian tops, which was a really nice touch.

“Really looking forward to the next one. From everyone at OAFVBC, we welcome HMP Stocken to the AFVBC family.”

Spread the word

Neil Thomas, Governor of HMP Stocken, has fully supported the event and its future monthly sessions, and would like to encourage as many prisons as possible to introduce a breakfast club for the veterans they care for.

For more information about starting your own prison breakfast club you can email: lindsay.beadnall@justice.gov.uk or equalities.Stocken@hmps.gsi.gov.uk

Lindsay Beadnall

Equality Advisor

HMP Stocken

THE VETERANS ID CARD

The MOD announced on 18 February 2019 that new Veterans ID cards had started to be issued to Service leavers.  Cards will be available to other Veterans towards the end of 2019.

The new ID card has two functions: to provide a memento of service and maintain a tangible link to the Armed Forces, and to allow Veterans to easily verify their service to the NHS, their local authority, their local AFVBC and charities, helping them to access support and services where needed. Currently, there is no way for existing Veterans to easily prove the fact that they have served.

Delivery will be rolled out in two tranches:

Phase 1: The Veterans ID Card will be provided to all Service Leavers only, as part of the discharge process with effect from 18th February 2019, and retrospectively to those who left on or after 17 December 2018.

Phase 2: Applications from the wider Veteran Community will be encouraged once the process has been agreed. Information on how to apply will be made available by the end of 2019.

The Cost:-  Veterans UK have not been made aware of any cost implications, however this cannot be certain until the announcement is made.

Further information is available at www.gov.uk/veterans-uk”

Dereck Hardman

Founder: Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs

Lt Col Meyer wants to “do” more operations for veterans, but he has two problems:

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LT COL CARL MEYER

Royal Army Medical Corps 

Consultant Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Surgeon

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As a veteran, you can ask for a referral to a specialist Orthopaedic clinic at The Robert Jones & Edith Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7AG. 

There is a specific Veterans Clinic run by Lt Col Carl Meyer, an Army Reserve consultant surgeon who also works with 202 Field Ambulance and Reserve Hospital.

A veteran applied for a referral on 16 March this year, and on 3rd May had a hip replacement; a total of just over 6 weeks. 

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Update – We are now cruising with the Royal Caribbean

ROYAL CARIBBEAN:

Saturday 18th May saw the first Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club onboard ‘Explorer of the Seas’.

Mr. & Mrs. Norman & Susan Mercer were the first ever participants of this event at sea.

Christos Karavos, Director of Hotel Operations for RC said “We look forward to welcoming all our cruising members of the Armed Forces, past and present, for breakfast at our new event. To all, thank you for your service.”

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New Club – San Diego Joins The Network

New Club, San Diego, joins us today in our never ending expanding Network across the world.

More information to follow but all club contact information can be found on the website, afvbc.net

AFVBC Receive a Bronze Award

Hi everyone – Yet more recognition for us and it’s all down to your hard work.

Please spread the word; We are the best, the only breakfast club recognised by the Armed Forces Covenant, the MoD website, the local Councils and many more.

It’s all down to you and your hard work, what you do and what you accomplish.

Well done – Please share amongst your members and other groups……

“Most Isolated City in the World”.

“Perth in Western Australia is allegedly the most isolated city in the world”. It stretches along the Indian Ocean coast. From Mandurah in the South to Two Rocks in the North is about 140 KM.

Perth supports all three Australian Services.

WA is rich in natural resources and the mining industry is still booming. This brings migrants from across the world all trying to make a better life. A life predominately in the sunshine.

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