ABF celebrate their 80th birthday this year and kindly provide DMWS with another grant to support the Army family - DMWS
DMWS are very grateful to have received another substantial grant from Army Benevolent Fund to support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of Army serving, veterans, reservists, and their families/carers. This will help us to continue to help Army beneficiaries across the UK to have:
- – Improved mental wellbeing
- – Reduced anxiety and stress
- – Better healthcare experience
- – Reduced risk of escalation to a mental health crisis
ABF have been a significant supporter of DMWS for many years, which has been crucial in helping us build a comprehensive network of Armed Forces Welfare Services across the UK.
“We are very grateful to Army Benevolent Fund for their ongoing support which is absolutely critical in allowing us to sustain and expand our services to reach more Army beneficiaries who need us. We look forward to building on the successes of previous years and thank ABF for making this possible.” – Abby Dryden, Chief Executive Officer
Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer, the Army Benevolent Fund, said: “We are honoured to be long-term partners of the Defence Medical Welfare Service. Its work has improved the lives of thousands of soldiers, former soldiers and their families who face health, social and other challenges, and require the specialist support of the DMWS’s expert welfare teams. We are proud to continue supporting the charity this year.”
DMWS would like to wish ABF a very happy 80th birthday, as they celebrate eight decades of service to soldiers, former soldiers and their families and the supporters and organisations they work with.
For more information about the full range of holistic support that ABF provide together for the Army family, visit Army Benevolent Fund.
Mark’s story
Mark is a 35-year-old Army veteran who was found unconscious in a hotel room. He was homeless and had attempted to take his own life by overdose. Mark had been living in a tent for a long time and had lost faith in any organisation being able to help him after years of false promises and failed support.
When DMWS met with Mark, it was clear he still wanted to take his own life. Our Welfare Officer got him moved to safety in a Mental Health Hospital and worked with the Homeless Team there to arrange temporary accommodation. With dedicated support from the DMWS Welfare Officer, Mark started to gain trust and confidence, beginning to believe that he was valued and would be supported.
Mark has made brilliant progress with the support of our Welfare Officer. He has been discharged from Hospital with temporary accommodation and is a high priority for permanent housing. Mark is now taking part in sailing and a local zoo project. He is also getting support for PTSD. Most importantly, he doesn’t want to take his own life anymore.
Our Welfare Officer continues to help Mark with his housing position, as well as food parcels and support with getting the benefits he is entitled to. DMWS will continue to be there to support Mark as he makes plans for the future.
Thank you to ABF for making this support possible.
Need support?
Sometimes things can get on top of you, and it feels like nobody can help. In the military you’re trained to push on, but you don’t need to struggle alone.
If you have worries about health, money and cost of living worries, housing, family, substance misuse, or just need someone to talk to, call DMWS’s helpline for free on 0800 999 3697.
Our support is available for tri-service serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and family members/carers.
Notes to Editors:
About Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)
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
Published: 15th August, 2024