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Unforgotten Forces working together successfully to support veterans
A Scottish couple who received support from the Unforgotten Forces Project shows the benefit of organisations coming together to deliver a common goal: to support those who serve. Read more
International Woman’s day: Meeting the needs of female soldiers, veterans and spouses
Many of our welfare officers are women who have either served in, or have links with the military. They play a vital role in increasing the wellbeing of the Armed Forces during times of ill health. Read more
Young and old veterans benefit from Healthcare Navigator
The DMWS Healthcare Navigator in Birmingham offers young and old service leavers and their families support with issues affecting their physical or mental wellbeing. Read more
Herefordshire supports ex-Forces community
Our Welfare Officers are embedded within the Wye Vallety Trust and the 2gether NHS Foundation Trust to provide support to the aged veteran community when they need help during times of ill health. Read more
Soldier to veteran – Life after The RLC
Ex WO2 Mark Lucas, Pioneer by trade, left The RLC in August 2017 after a successful 24-year career. He reflects on leaving the Army and transitioning into civilian life working as a Welfare Officer for DMWS. Read more
DMWS shortlisted for two prestigious Awards
DMWS is delighted to announce that the charity has been shortlisted as a finalist for the 2018 Soldiering On Awards in two categories, and The Charity Film Awards. Read more
Soldier Magazine interviews DMWS Welfare Officer
Nathan Cumberland, DMWS Welfare Officer spoke to the editor of Soldier Magazine on his transition from Grenadier Guardsman to civilian life after he was critically injured by an IED in Afghanistan. Read more
Aged Veterans Project is picking up momentum
The Aged Veterans Project in Herefordshire and Nottinghamshire has gained significant traction over the course of the past few months. Recent case studies show the positive impact the project has already made. Read more
Paul Gaffney appointed as DMWS’s new CEO
DMWS has appointed Paul Gaffney as Chief Executive Officer effective from 1 December 2017. He takes over from Nicky Murdoch MBE, who will take on the Charity's new role as Strategic Relations Director, following 6 successful years as Chief Executive. Read more
Memorandum of Understanding to serve military community
DMWS and Veterans First Point signed a Memorandum of Understanding, with the aim to improve collaboration between the two organisations and to better serve the Military community in Scotland. Read more
Autumn Budget sees DMWS expand service to the South
Treasury awarded ABF The Soldiers Charity £1.2 million to provide bespoke medical welfare service in partnership with the Defence Medical Welfare Service. Read more
Police Welfare Service Pilot Performance Review 2017
Our recently published Police Welfare Service Pilot Performance Review 2017 has identified a number of benefits for individual police officers and from an organisational perspective. Read more
Our Staff Remembers
Many of our team members have first hand experience in what it means to put themselves in harm's way to protect the nation. Here are their personal thoughts on Armistice Day. Read more
Supporter Stuart Craig completes London Marathon for DMWS
My brother (Russ Craig) had undergone liver transplant surgery at the Queen Elizabeth hospital In Birmingham. Throughout this difficult time the support of Fisher House and DMWS Welfare Officers has been completely invaluable to me and my family. I wanted to give something back and decided to run... Read more
Scottish Veterans benefit from additional Welfare
DMWS Welfare Officers are embedded within NHS Trusts in Scotland to ensure that older veterans and their families have access to the very best of welfare support when receiving medical care. Read more
Mental Health First Aid is for everyone
On World Mental Health Day we are reminded that 1 in 4 people suffer from mental health problems. At DMWS Training we are passionate about delivering Mental Health First Aid courses to everyone. Read more
Welfare Officers established in two more councils
Our confidential and professional medical welfare service is now in place in Herefordshire and Nottinghamshire and we are looking forward to delivering our service in partnership with the two councils. Read more
New Model of Care for Armed Forces Community launched
Official launch of the Armed Forces Healthcare Navigator Service to support members of the Armed Forces community to access care and support in Birmingham. Read more
New memorial pays tribute to 1940 Blitz victims
In a joint project with EFAN, DMWS organised a new war memorial at Salford Royal to commemorate the night that the hospital suffered fatalities during the Manchester Blitz of Christmas 1940. Read more
MoD Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award
DMWS has been re-awarded the MoD Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award for our exceptional support to the Armed Forces community. Being recognised for our work is a real honour. Read more
DMWS helps to reduce veteran’s social isolation
DMWS has extended their person-centred medical welfare service to military veterans. Read how Welfare Officer Karen Daniels has supported 96 year old WW2 Veteran Paddy and connected him to a community he feels understood and safe in. Read more
DMWS elected to Cobseo Executive
DMWS is delighted to have been elected to the Confederation of Service Charities (Cobseo) Executive alongside War Widows Association and the Poppy Factory. The results were announced during the Cobseo Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 11 July 2017. Read more
Introduction of Chairman to Royal Patron
Yesterday, DMWS Chairman Allan Thomson and Deputy Chairman Mr Steve Cowden met Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex, GCVO at Buckingham Palace. The meeting forms the initial visit by Allan Thomson, our newly appointed chairman (1 March 2017) to meet HRH in her capacity as DMWSs Royal Patron... Read more
Sad to see SSAFA run Norton House closing
On 28 June 2017, the SSAFA run Norton House Selly Oak closed its doors to new guests, after being a safe haven for families of injured Armed Forces Personnel over the past 8 years. Welfare Officers from the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) were invited to the closing ceremony, having worked... Read more
Veterans 75th Wedding Anniversary Surprise
The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) organised for the wife of a 97 year old veteran to make a surprise visit to him in a Manchester hospital to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary. Read more
Charity CEO Nicky Murdoch recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours
DMWS is extremely proud of our CEO Nicky Murdoch, who has been awarded an MBE in the Queens birthday honours for service to the Armed Forces Community and their families. Read more
DMWS Welfare Officers support Manchester
DMWS Welfare Officers are providing are supporting victims and front-line staff who are affected by the tragic Manchester bombing attack. We are here to offer practical help and emotional support where it is needed. Read more
Author KJ Simmill donates book royalties to DMWS
Author of the fantasy genre working The Forgotten Legacies series has been supporting DMWS for several years. In addition to her own books, she participates in books for charity, an opportunity she says, she “was thrilled to accept.” It is my aim for each one of my titles to donat... Read more
DMWS meets peers at the House of Lords reception
On May 16, together with Lord Smith of Kelvin KT CH (on behalf or Baroness Emerton DBE DL), the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) hosted a reception in the House of Lords to update key peers from Defence, Health and Policing about the organisation. In the Role of Royal Patron of DMWS Her Royal... Read more
DMWS to lead Integrated Health & Wellbeing Project
The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is one of 10 organisations to receive funding from the Aged Veterans Fund to deliver health and wellbeing services to aged veterans, their families and carers in Herefordshire and Nottinghamshire. Read more