DMWS partners with Westmorland & Furness Council and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust to deliver dedicated welfare support for Armed Forces families - DMWS
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is proud to announce a new project initiative in partnership with Westmorland & Furness Council and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT), launching in September.
The scheme will see a dedicated DMWS Welfare Officer working closely with hospital discharge teams and the council’s adult care department to ensure members of the Armed Forces community—whether serving personnel, veterans, or their families—are identified early in their hospital journey and given the help they need to navigate discharge and ongoing care.
By linking patients and their families with tailored welfare support, this service aims to ease pressures during what can be a challenging and uncertain time, helping to reduce stress, rebuild confidence, and improve overall wellbeing.
DMWS will support the individual and their family members/carers by assessing their needs and identify access to solutions to support:
- Better experiences of healthcare, aiding quicker recovery.
- Reducing stress and anxiety.
- Accessing financial support and safe housing.
- Tackling feelings of isolation.
- Strategies to reduce alcohol and drug misuse.
- Accessing treatment for mental health illnesses such as PTSD.
- Finding meaningful employment or volunteering opportunities after service.
The initiative was developed through the Westmorland & Furness Armed Forces Board and reflects a strong, shared commitment to supporting those who serve and have served.
Siobonne Brewster, Director of Development at DMWS, said:
“It is fantastic to be able to bring dedicated DMWS welfare support to the Armed Forces community and their families and carers in this area. We know there is a significant military population here and we are proud and excited to be working in collaboration with Westmorland and Furness Council and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust to provide professional support that will make a significant positive difference.”
Councillor Patricia Bell, Cabinet Member for Adults and Social Care at Westmorland & Furness Council, added:
“This service will provide a valuable link between military personnel and the support they need and deserve. It will identify Armed Forces families as they enter the hospital setting, ensuring they receive co-ordinated support such as emotional, practical, housing and financial advice, enabling earlier hospital discharge. In addition, this project will deliver an integrated pathway of health and social care support, highlighting the services that can support our Armed Forces community.”
Deborah Nelson, Divisional General Manager for the Community, Cancer, Diagnostics and End of Life (CCDE) Division, and Lead for the Veteran Aware scheme, UHMBT, said: “We are delighted to be part of this important partnership with Westmorland and Furness Council and the DMWS charity, supporting our Armed Forces community. We anticipate that as a result of this partnership work, veterans will have better experiences of healthcare and recover more quickly. The partnership builds on our long-standing commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community, not only as a healthcare provider but also as an employer. Nationally, we have been recognised in the Veteran Aware scheme for our dedication to ensuring that veterans and their families are never disadvantaged when accessing care. The partnership with Westmorland and Furness Council and the DMWS is a natural extension of that work. By embedding a DMWS officer into our discharge process, we’re ensuring that veterans are identified early and supported emotionally, practically and socially. It’s about ensuring that all veterans receive the support they need to thrive.”
Notes to Editors
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is an independent charity providing medical welfare to those who have, and continue to, operate on the frontline. We place trained professional welfare officers in locations throughout the UK and Cyprus to deliver much-needed additional support for those who are on the clinical pathway. DMWS is committed to providing the highest level of welfare support to those in need, promoting their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Whether it is a new or pre-existing issue, our service is for anyone undergoing treatment for a health-related issue. By providing support in a range of settings, our staff are committed to promoting and preserving the health and wellbeing of those who have dedicated their lives to serving our communities. In addition, they are committed to enabling them to reach their full potential. This can speed up discharge from hospital, help patients recover more quickly, and reduce the likelihood of readmission or the need for onward referral.
DMWS has a long and proud history of supporting the military in times of need, offering expert help and advice to those affected by health-related issues. Through its comprehensive services and outstanding dedication, DMWS has become an integral part of the armed forces community, offering invaluable support to the armed forces community at their critical time of need.
More can be found out on our website at https://dmws.org.uk
About Westmorland & Furness Council
Westmorland & Furness Council is the unitary authority for the area, delivering essential services to residents, including adult social care, education, housing, transport, and public health. The council works closely with local partners to support its Armed Forces community through the Westmorland & Furness Armed Forces Board.
About University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust
We are a University teaching hospital full of hard working and dedicated staff providing community and hospital services across the Morecambe Bay area – an area covering a thousand square miles in south Cumbria and north Lancashire.
We operate from three main hospitals – Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre.
Published: 20th August, 2025