Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Covid Fund, STAND TO, Derbyshire veteran community support services – (Operating under Derbyshire Alcohol Advice Service CIO) is to launch a New information point for Derbyshire veterans and their families.
Working closely with University of Derby researchers in Veteran Health, STAND TO are launching a new veteran first point of contact, (VIP) accessed via phone Tel 01246 959333 or email standtovcs@daas.uk.com between office hours Monday to Friday with an out of hours message service.
The new VIP will link to a Directory of support services which may be veteran specific or may be engaging with employer recognition schemes for the Armed forces Covenant. The directory will also provide information on wider more general support services such as CAB, hospitals, GP practices, Mental Health support, addictions, welfare, relationship and financial support services.
Any member of the veteran community in Derbyshire who contacts the VIP will receive a response from a fellow veteran, a worker or volunteer from our STAND TO service.
“This new provision will help to link the needs of veterans and their families to a wide range of information we have in our VIP directory,” says Elaine Handley DAAS CIO Manager.
“We know from the five years we have delivered our successful STAND TO veteran alcohol service that alcohol issues are only one of the problems experienced by our veteran community, our new VIP will widen our remit to reach out to veterans who may be experiencing a range of problems, those which may be as a direct result of Covid or due to longer terms issues.
“This is much more than an information point, our veteran workers and Volunteers will engage with callers and link them to a range of groups, recovery events and activities such as walking, boot camp and fishing offering them the opportunity to regain the camaraderie many of them miss.”
Destination Chesterfield board member, Dr Paula Holt MBE, Patron of ‘STAND TO’ is pleased to see development of the Veterans Information Point (VIP): “It is good to see a resource that is developed and resourced locally to support local veterans and their families”
The VIP will link with the existing Veteran Gateway to ensure that callers are aware of national and regional services as well as those local to them.
The new VIP launches on Thursday 3rd December If you are a veteran or family member, would like advice, information or guidance or would like to support us by becoming a volunteer for our VIP, please get in touch! Our VIP needs you!
Derbyshire Alcohol Advice Service supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
