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“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
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
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 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
Walking Football and Wellbeing Support Service
Herefordshire Football Association and Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) have come together to offer Walking Football Welfare Support in Herefordshire for veterans. It is available to veterans of all ages, physical ability and also their family membe... 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
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
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
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 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
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
Salute Our Forces!
Armed Forces Day is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. Armed Forces Day is a special day and this year, despite the current situation, we celebrate and thank our Arm... Read more
Irwin Mitchell Shines a Light on the Defence Medical Welfare Service
During Armed Forces Week charity partner Irwin Mitchell shine a light on the Defence Medical Welfare Service in an interview with Andrew Buckham, Partner in the Irwin Mitchell legal team and a Trustee at DMWS. “The DMWS is such a key part of the military and... Read more
DMWS Team Wins NUH Honours 2018
NUHonours Awards are one of the ways Nottingham University Hospital say thank you and recognises the exceptional contribution and hard work of staff who make up Team NUH. Read more
The power of collaboration; veterans share their stories of receiving DMWS support
Edinburgh Castle opened its doors to DMWS service users, other beneficiaries and influencers to attend a unique Caring for those who Serve Dinner to raise awareness of the Charity. Read more
A successful anniversary for the Unforgotten Forces project
The Unforgotten Forces project has benefited over 2,000 older veterans, their family members and carers in Scotland since its launch a year ago. DMWS is very proud to be part of this fantastic project Read more
Arctic Convoy veterans pay tribute to fallen comrades
A trio in their ninties attended a special annual ceremony to commemorate the Russian Arctic Convoys of the Second World War. DMWS Welfare Officer Andy was proud to accompanied the veterans on this special occasion made possible by the Unforgotten Forces Project. Read more
Former Lieutenant Commander speaks about DMWS support
Matt Kiernan speaks about his experience of working with DMWS in his role as the Senior Nursing Officer for Mental Health in the Royal Navy as well as receiving support when he was critically ill. Read more
TV team transform war hero’s garden
Welfare Officer Nathan receives an unexpected surprise by Alan Titchmarsh and his ITV 'Love your Garden' team. His garden makeover will be revealed in July 2018. Read more
High Sheriff’s award for Police Medical Welfare Service
We are delighted to receive the High Sheriff of Hampshire Award for the professional welfare support we have provided to Hampshire Constabulary. 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
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