News
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
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
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
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
DMWS provides a unique service to fill the welfare gap
According to Sir James Lawrence Munby, President of the Family Division of the High Court of England and Wales the practice of separating elderly couples against their wishes when one or both move to care homes must end (The Times, 10 May 2017). To help the aged veteran community DMWS has launched n... Read more
2016 Impact Report
Our 2016 Impact Report showcases the work, commitment and outstanding results of DMWS. Case studies demonstrate how we continue to make a real difference to individuals by providing a professional welfare service, ensuring that no family goes through the worry of injury or illness alone. By gatheri... Read more
DMWS part of Unforgotten Forces Group awarded £4M to support older veterans
The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is delighted to be part of Unforgotten Forces, a collaboration of 14 key organisations, led by Poppyscotland, who has been awarded £4 million from the Aged Veterans Fund to undertake a three-year programme of support for older veterans and their families i... Read more
Sweet Memories
When 77 year old Army veteran George met DMWS Welfare at Salford Royal Hospital during his treatment for terminal lung disease, he told her that he didnt feel he needed DMWSs help. However, during their conversation he reminisced about his 25 years of proud army service and his wartime childhood... Read more
Prestigious visit from The Chief of the General Staff and Royal Patron
DMWSs affiliation with the Armed Forces Community recognised with a visit from The Chief of the General Staff, HRH The Countess of Wessex and The Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire to the Charitys Headquarters in Andover. Read more
DMWS represented at Iraq and Afghanistan memorial unveiling
Today, the unveiling of a new memorial in Victoria Embankment Gardens, Westminster by Her Majesty The Queen, honours both the UK Armed Forces and civilians who served their country in the Gulf region from 1990 2015. DMWS Welfare Officers were invited to the event, in recognition to the huge role... Read more
Rick’s Reunion
Rick has been living rough on the streets of Manchester and regrets not having any photos from his time in Service. But with the help of the E-Fan Project Rick is now getting his life back on track and even met up with his best mate from the Army. Read more
DMWS appoints Allan Thomson as new Chairman
The Defence Medical Welfare Service is delighted to announce that Brigadier (Retd) Allan Thomson MSc MBA FIET CEng has taken over as the Chairman of Trustees from Major General (Retd) John Stokoe CB CBE, on 1.3.2017. Read more
Soldiering On Awards 2017: Military welfare advocate and veteran Nicky Murdoch
THOSE she has helped have faced combat and have often paid the price with horrific injuries and mental health problems. Read more
Police charities join forces
More than 20 organisations attended the Police Charities UK launch, including the Defence Medical Welfare Service, signalling their commitment to work in partnership and share best practice to provide the best support possible to the wider policing family. Read more
The Difference we made to A& E
DMWS is proud of our welfare officers Tom and Tim who recently received fantastic feedback from a Consultant in Emergency Medicine at the Royal Oldham Hospital, part of The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. The email below really highlights how our service does not only supports the patient and the... Read more
Updating the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire on DMWS achievements
For the Defence Medical Welfare Service the New Year started with a prestigious visit from HER Majestys Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson on 10 January 2017. It was a great opportunity for the Hampshire-based charity to update the Lord-Lieutenant on the charitys significant contributi... Read more
What a great year!
Thank you for making 2016 a very special year for DMWS. We would like to thank all our partner organisations, patrons and trustees, our fundraisers and staff for your hard work, time and support this year which has brought rewards many and varied. Read more
New Police Welfare Service launched in Hampshire
The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is excited to announce the official launch of a Police Medical Welfare Support Service, available to Police Officers, staff or family members of Hampshire Constabulary. The service is independent and complements the welfare support currently offered by the... Read more