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Support for transitioning veterans

A new 24-hour service aims to help veterans access the support they need as they transition from military to civilian life.

The Veterans’ Gateway, which is backed by £2 million in funding from the Ministry of Defence’s Covenant Fund, is designed to advise former servicemen and women on everything from housing and finance right through to health concerns.

Charles Byrne, director general of The Royal British Legion, on behalf of the Veterans’ Gateway consortium, said: “Every charity only exists to help, but Lord Ashcroft revealed the uncomfortable truth that a proliferation of providers in our sector can cause confusion about where to turn.”

“Veterans’ Gateway will make it easier for them to get the support they need, from whoever is best able to provide it. No matter how complex their needs, working together we can do more.”

The Gateway is in essence a 24-hour online chat, phone, and text message service which brings together the vast range of charities and support on offer, guiding veterans directly to the help they need, when and where they need it.

It’s delivered by a Royal British Legion-led consortium in conjunction with Poppyscotland, Combat Stress, Connect Assist, the Ministry of Defence and SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity.

The service centre, based near Cardiff in South Wales, is manned partly by veterans to help ensure that callers can speak to someone who can understand their experiences.

To contact Veterans’ Gateway call 0808 802 1212 Text: 81212 or visit: http://www.veteransgateway.org.uk