News
The Defence Medical Welfare Service announce changes to the Board of Trustees
From the 1st of August 2023 DMWS are pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Griffiths as Chair of the Board of Trustees. Mike comes to the role having previously been a DMWS trustee for 8 years and having served for almost 42 years in both the Army and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary. He will Read more
DMWS to support homeless veterans in partnership with Veterans Housing Scotland thanks to AFCFT
DMWS are proud to have been awarded crucial funds from AFCFT under the Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme. In collaboration with Veterans Housing Scotland, an Edinburgh-based charity who provide affordable rented homes and wraparound for disabled veterans, both organisations will work together... Read more
DMWS 80th Year: Charity worker Geoff Ingram takes on Ultra Marathon in support of DMWS
As DMWS celebrate 80 years of supporting the frontline, our staff are committed to marking the occasion with a challenge. Staff are set to participate in a range of events across the UK and Cyprus as part of the 80th celebrations, made up of the Ultra Marathon and 80,000 Steps Challenge. Geoff Ingra... Read more
AFCFT award DMWS funding to support needs of LGBT+ veterans in response to Review
On 19 July 2023, the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary apologised on behalf of the British state for the historic treatment of LGBT+ personnel, following the publication of the LGBT Veterans Independent Review which investigated the military’s pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the Armed Forc... Read more
RAFBF continue to support DMWS with additional grant for RAF beneficiaries
DMWS are delighted to have been awarded further funding from The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. The funding will help support veterans with a wide number of issues and concerns and help us to both reduce social isolation and provide support with independent living. The Fund have been long-time sup... Read more
DMWS 80th Year: Charity worker Siobonne Brewster takes on Ultra Marathon in support of DMWS
As DMWS celebrate 80 years of supporting the frontline, our staff are committed to marking the occasion with a challenge. Staff are set to participate in a range of events across the UK and Cyprus as part of the 80th celebrations, made up of the Ultra Marathon and 80,000 Steps Challenge. Siobonne Br... Read more
DMWS 80th Year: Charity worker Collette Beeson takes on Ultra Marathon in support of DMWS
As DMWS celebrate 80 years of supporting the frontline, our staff are committed to marking the occasion with a challenge. Staff are set to participate in a range of events across the UK and Cyprus as part of the 80th celebrations, made up of the Ultra Marathon and 80,000 Steps Challenge. Collette Be... Read more
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity continue to support DMWS with £200,000 grant towards expansion of services
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity have generously awarded Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) £200,000 to help boost the support available throughout the UK. We know that Army personnel and their families can face considerable disruption and uncertainty due to lengthy deployments. In addition, whilst... Read more
DMWS 80th Year: Charity worker Jess Liston takes on Ultra Marathon in support of DMWS
As DMWS celebrate 80 years of supporting the frontline in 2023, staff across the UK and Cyprus have committed to marking the occasion with a challenge. Staff are set to participate in a range of events as part of the 80th celebrations, made up of the Ultra Marathon and 80,000 Steps Challenge. Jess L... Read more
DMWS 80th Year: Celebrating 80 years of supporting the frontline
As DMWS celebrate 80 years of supporting the frontline, staff across the UK and Cyprus are committed to marking the occasion with a challenge. Staff are set to participate in a range of activities as part of the 80th celebrations. This will include: There will also be local fundraising events across... Read more
DMWS 80th Year: DMWS host evening of thanks at Scottish Parliament as part of 80th year celebrations
Defence Medical Welfare Service were delighted to host an event at Scottish Parliament on 7th June 2023 to celebrate 80 years of welfare support to the Armed Forces in Scotland and across the UK. The evening was very well attended and saw many esteemed colleagues and guests, celebrating the funders... Read more
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Fund an Award-Winning Project for Defence Medical Welfare Service
As a result of sustained funding provided to Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) by ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust has awarded Matt Long of DMWS its ‘Outstanding Partner’ Award. The award recognises those who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment... Read more
Herefordshire Community Foundation award funding to Defence Medical Welfare Service
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) has been awarded £9,970 by the Herefordshire Community Foundation to continue the provision of welfare services throughout Herefordshire. The grant will provide part of the funding necessary to support both elderly and frail veterans and their families through... Read more
Armed Forces Patient and Public Voice Health Podcast: The Podcast
The NHS Armed Forces Health Podcast is a series that aims to help you – the armed forces community – access the plethora of NHS services available. By the armed forces community we mean Service personnel, veterans, reservists and their family members. Through these episodes we will... Read more
NHS Lanarkshire honoured for outstanding support towards the Armed Forces
NHS Lanarkshire honoured for outstanding support towards the Armed Forces. Congratulations to health and social care staff across Lanarkshire after they received the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award for outstanding support towards the Armed Forces community. DMWS Welfare Officers Kenny and Ash... Read more
“There when it matters most”.
As part of the Defence Medical Welfare Service partnership with ABF The Soldiers’ Charity we were the focus of their recent Go Inspire campaign highlighting the vital work we have delivered during the last 18 months. Download and read all about how we have helped over 5500 individuals within t... Read more
Armed Forces Day 2021
Armed Forces Day recognises the armed forces community; sailors, marines, soldiers, airmen, airwomen, reserves, veterans, cadets and service families. Despite the challenges of Covid-19 our welfare staff were able to safely attend several dedicated events including flag raising ceremonies, walking f... Read more
Minister for Crime and Policing Kit Malthouse and National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales John Apter visit DMWS
Minister of State for Crime and Policing Kit Malthouse and National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales John Apter visited Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) head office in Andover, Hampshire to hear first hand some of the brilliant work DMWS have been delivering to police office... Read more
Outstanding Charitable Contribution Award for services during Covid 19 pandemic
DMWS Welfare Officer Ashley Winter along with Mike Davey from The Veteran Support Centre, Herefordshire, have been acknowledge for their outstanding work helping isolated veterans during the pandemic at The Armed Forces Community Lockdown Awards In Partnership With Hugh James and Pathfinder Magazine... Read more
Jess Liston talks to BFBS Radio about diversifying during a pandemic supporting serving personnel, veterans & their families.
Jess liston, regional manager south talks to George Medlake, BFBS Radio about how in a “year like no other” DMWS has evolved allowing the organisation to be proactive and continue to support those in need. And how the recent work has been recognised by winning Charity of the Year at the... Read more
In conversation with DMWS welfare officers during ‘Dying Matters Awareness Week 2021’
As we join together during Dying Matters Awareness Week and open up the conversation around death, dying and bereavement, we hear from our own welfare staff why working closely with those who are terminally ill is a vital and rewarding part of our work. Being there for the family, as well as the pat... Read more
Defence Medical Welfare Service win Charity of the Year
30th April, 2021: Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) have been awarded Charity of the Year at the South West Business and Community Awards. The award recognises the work delivered by DMWS in the South of England supporting the armed forces, veterans, police officers, The Merchant Navy and their... Read more
DMWS Welfare Officers Demmie Savvides and Stacy Loizou win Team of the Year Award
DMWS has teams working in hospitals and the community in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Cyprus. The pandemic made 2020 challenging and the most difficult of years with all members of staff in the organisation reacting and adjusting routine working practices to continue to deliver our vital... Read more
DMWS shortlisted for Charity of the Year at the South West Business & Community Awards
We are pleased to announce that Defence Medical Welfare Service have been shortlisted for The Charity of The Year at the South West Business and Community Awards. This is a huge achievement with over 1,000 nominations and 83 entries within this category. The award nomination recognises the work de... Read more
DMWS delivers a new Welfare Support Programme Service to all 43 police forces in England & Wales
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is providing a new Welfare Support Programme (WSP) to all subscribing police federation (PFEW) members across England and Wales. The scheme complements services already available to officers. The bespoke service offers a wide range of welfare support including... Read more
5,500 individuals supported during three-year partnership between Defence Medical Welfare Service and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity
5,500 individuals supported during three-year partnership between the Defence Medical Welfare Service and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity The end of March marks the culmination of a three-year partnership between the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. The two have wo... Read more
DMWS sets up crafting & companionship for isolated veterans in Wiltshire
The crafting & companionship group for female veterans in Lyneham & surrounding areas in Wiltshire was set up by DMWS and is lead by Welfare Officer Julie Ponton. The successful and growing project is funded by The Armed Forces Positive Pathways pathways programme which funds activities that... Read more
DMWS supports Children’s Mental Health Week 2021
The welfare officer from DMWS gave me confidence that should I be required to have an extended stay in hospital that my family could be supported and cared for. It’s Children’s Mental Health Week 2021 and at DMWS we continually support families of our service users. Some of our welfare o... Read more
“Michael from DMWS looks out for veterans in the Borders” highlights the Southern Reporter
Michael a veteran himself says, “I am determined to continue assisting other veterans, no matter what age they are, to access the services that they vitally need, but may not know they are eligible for. I help by acting as a bridge so that the medical professionals can better understand vetera... Read more
Scotland’s First Minister thanks Defence Medical Welfare Service calling new mental health service for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde “A Shining Example”
Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon calls new mental health service at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Vale of Leven Hospital “A Shining Example” and thanked all those involved including Defence Medical Welfare Service. MSP Maurice Corry, chair of the cross-party Veterans Co... Read more