News
Impact Report 2020
We are delighted to share with you our latest impact report. We invite you to read about how we continue to make a difference to the people and organisations who use our vital service. Please click on the image to view: Read more
Help at the hospital bedside, and beyond: Meet the DMWS team in Scotland.
We are delighted to feature in the first The Unforgotten Forces produced by Age UK Scotland. In edition 1 you’ll find an interview with Dereck Hardman, founder of the Armed Forces and Veterans’ Breakfast Club movement, stories about Unforgotten Forces partners including us, DMWS along with Com... Read more
DMWS pays tribute to the fallen on Remembrance Day 2020
Staff from DMWS and veterans they have supported pay tribute to the fallen on Remembrance Day by reading the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. — Ends — Notes to Editors: About Defence Medical Welfare Service The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DM... Read more
London Marathon Success
Well done to DMWS Welfare Officer Justine Clayton who completed the virtual 2020 London Marathon. Justine braved the horrendous weather and despite being soaked and very cold at mile 3, she completed the race raising £200 for DMWS. Justine said “A lady who was walking her dog couldn’t belie... Read more
DMWS receives The National Lottery Community funding to support NHS department affected by Covid-19
DMWS has received a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to support NHS Staff and hospital patients affected by Covid-19 at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Emergency Department. We are delighted to receive this funding from the TNL Community Fund. It will allow us to support elde... Read more
Podcast: Healthcare challenges faced by veteran population
GP and RCGP Veterans Friendly Practice clinical champion, Brigadier (Retd) Robin Simpson is joined by DMWS Welfare Officer Ashley Winter and Dr Matthew Boulter to discuss the healthcare challenges faced by the veteran population in England and what the RCGP is doing to help practices to support thei... Read more
DMWS receives funding from Worshipful Company of Insurers Charitable Trust
Worshipful Company of Insurers Charitable Trust has awarded the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) a grant for the provision of medical welfare support to members of the Armed Forces community. We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding award which will help to continue to provide medic... Read more
DMWS awarded grant from AFCFT Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust has awarded The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) with a continuation grant from the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. This funding will provide continued delivery of the Strategic Pathways project, so as to ensure support for organisations receivin... Read more
Finalist for ‘Role Model of the Year’ at Veterans Awards 2020
DMWS Welfare Officer Ashley Winter is a finalist for the ‘Role model of the year’ at The English Veterans Awards. He is dedicated and passionate about helping the Armed Forces Community in Herefordshire and has helped many people by improving their ability to live independently, reducing... Read more
DMWS Welfare Officer Justine Clayton talks to BBC Somerset Breakfast Show
DMWS Welfare Officer for Somerset, Justine Clayton was on @bbcsomerset breakfast talking to Clare Carter about her role @DMWS and how she helps the veteran and armed forces community in Somerset. You can listen to the interview here at 2:49 hrs into the show. Read more about the support Justine will... Read more
DMWS is awarded £41,436 from The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT) has awarded DMWS £41,436 to increase the support provided by the DMWS Emergency Response Service (ERS) during Covid-19. The funding will help 430 serving personnel, veterans and their families. The ERS provides a rapid response phone based welfare s... Read more
‘By Your Side’ – Defence Medical Welfare Service feature in Army and You Magazine
Date: Summer 2020 Publication: Army and You Magazine (AFF) @ArmyandYou ‘The health – mental and physical – of loved ones is arguably our biggest priority and as army families, it’s reassuring to know there are lots of healthcare professionals looking after us, specific initiatives t... Read more
‘Help is at hand for military veterans’
The Defence Medical Welfare Service are an active member of the Herefordshire Armed Forces Covenant and provide support to veterans and their families who are undergoing medical treatment in and out of hospital. Herefordshire’s Veteran Support Centre (VSC) is providing support to those who nee... Read more
Help us care for those who care for us
DMWS launches ‘Help us care’ campaign to meet the increased demand for their welfare services during Covid19 across the UK, Cyprus and Northern Ireland. To find out more and details of how you can donate please visit: https://help-us-care.dmws.org.ukAny hospital treatment or health... Read more
DMWS receives funding from Veterans’ Foundation
The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) have received £12,500 for the DMWS Emergency Response Service to help support veterans and their families during the COVID-19 Pandemic. What is the DMWS Emergency Response Service (ERS)? ERS provides a rapid response phone based welfare service to vet... Read more
Herefordshire Freemasons Awards £79,700 to DMWS
The Herefordshire Freemasons for awards DMWS a grant of £79,700. This enables DMWS to continue to help veterans & over 65s return to independent life in their own homes after hospital treatment in Herefordshire. Herefordshire Times News Article: Full Press Release details below: Military vetera... Read more
Welfare Support during COVID-19 Outbreak
What is the DMWS Emergency Response Service (ERS)? ERS provides a rapid response phone based welfare service to veterans, service personnel, frontline staff, NHS staff and the Merchant Navy whilst they or their families are in the NHS clinical pathway. Contact our emergency response service on... Read more
‘ABF The Soldiers Charity, highly commends DMWS for their bravery and acts of goodwill in this time of crisis.’
News Article from Army Benevolent Fund, Friday, 24th April 2020 Since 2017, our charity has been working with the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) to deliver a bespoke welfare service for the Armed Forces community in hospitals and across Southern England, as part of a project originally funde... Read more
A message to supporters from Paul Gaffney, Chief Executive
Dear Supporter COVID-19 has impacted all of us and we want to reassure you of a few things. We will, as we always have done, maintain our operational status responding to requests for assistance by our Service Users, the NHS and MOD. Our unique role and capability means that we remain responsive dur... Read more
DMWS Welfare Officer receives Commendation Award
Demmie, one of our great Welfare Officers, has been awarded the Commander BFC Commendation for unwavering commitment and professionalism. Read more
Soldiering On Award Winner is A Real Inspiration
The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) Welfare Officer Nathan Cumberland wins the Inspiration Award in the 2019 Soldiering On Awards. This prestigious military awards recognises the outstanding achievements of service personnel, both individuals and groups that support the armed forces commu... Read more
Defence Medical Welfare Service Team Achieves Runner-up in the PEN National Award!
DMWS are delighted to announce that the charity has been awarded runner-up in the Partnership Working to Improve the Experience category. The DMWS South Project was recognised for its work in a special awards event, sharing their inspiration and experience with fellow nominees. Read more
Soldiering On Award Winner and Finalist Three Years In A Row
The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) has been shortlisted for a third year running as a finalist in the 2019 Soldiering On Awards. The prestigious military awards recognise outstanding achievements of service personnel, and individuals and groups that support the armed forces community. Read more
DMWS CEO Visits Stanford Hall
DMWS Chief Executive Paul Gaffney met with Teresa Griffiths OBE ARRC Commanding Officer DMRC, to visit and see first-hand the amazing new premises. The state-of-the-art facility has been built within the grounds of Stanford Hall, and is currently providing clinical rehabilitation to military service... Read more
Defence Medical Welfare Service shortlisted for PEN National Award!
The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) has been shortlisted in the Patient Experience Network (PEN) National Awards. The charity, which provides an independent face-to-face medical welfare service to the Armed Forces Community whenever they are receiving medical treatment; is a finalist in the... Read more
Scottish Veterans Minister Meets Military Veterans Project Making Positive Changes
In a visit led by the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) team, Scottish Veterans Minister Graeme Dey met with attendees of Ayrshire Veterans Breakfast Club, at the Melbourne Café, followed by a visit to the Unforgotten Forces consortium at Poppyscotlands Head Office in Kilmarnock. Read more
Royal Patron Hosts DMWS Charity Dinner
HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO, hosted a 75th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner in aid of the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS). Read more
Achieving Gold – HRH The Earl of Wessex Awards DMWS
Prince Edward and the Defence Secretary, the Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP presented special awards to organisations that support the armed forces and their families by offering training, work placements and employment. Read more
DMWS Participate in the Muster during the Festival of Remembrance
This year DMWS Professional Standards Manager, Elaine Crawforth; and Welfare Officer, John Walker were honoured to be selected to represent the charity during the Muster. Read more
General the Lord Dannatt, former Head of the British Army, Visits DMWS
The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS); has the pleasure of welcoming General the Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL, to our HQ offices in Andover to meet with our team and hear some of the recent thought-provoking and challenging case studies our Welfare Officers have supported. Read more