Op COURAGE is a new overarching name for the veterans' mental health transition, intervention and liaison service (TILS). The function is to give timely support and advice, and link veterans into the most appropriate service, as quickly as possible.
The Military Veterans Service is a community-based psychological therapy service for veterans who live in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
You can contact the either of these by telephone: 03003230707 or email: the.MVS@nhs.net
We work closely with a range of statutory services, national and local charities. This partnership working supports engagement and relapse prevention.
We work in partnership with Lancashire and South Cumbia NHS Trust to provide the psychological therapy service to veterans living in Lancashire.
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust delivers the service across Cheshire and Merseyside (excluding Liverpool).
Military veterans in Liverpool should access the Talk Liverpool service, provided by Mersey Care NHS Trust.
Walking With The Wounded (WWTW)
Open: Monday- Friday, 9am-5pm
Phone: 01263 863 900
Walking With The Wounded supports a pathway for veterans to re-integrate back into society and sustain independence:
Greater Manchester Forces Directory
Greater Manchester Combined Authority have created a directory with support organisations charities and business: www.gmforcesdirectory.com/
Walking With The Wounded - Project Nova
Veterans in the Community (VIC)
Works across East Lancashire to supports those who have served in any of the branches of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force, the emergency services and their families who have or are having difficulties with returning to ‘civvy street’.
Phone: 01706 833180
Email: info@vic.org.uk
Is still offering support on the telephone or video during covid, and in person by appointment only.
Dig In North West
Private walled garden in Preston. Dig In welcome anyone from the military community to join them for some gardening, carpentry, photography, a chat, and even a brew or two. There are no expectations, this is not a talking therapy nor a commercially driven market garden. It is merely a place to meet people who have a shared experience, to come together and support each other.
Click here for their website.
Breakfast clubs are held all over the country. Visit the Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs website and enter your postcode to find one close to you.
The Veterans Trauma Network provides care and treatment to those injured during their time in the armed forces. The service is available in selected NHS health centres across England.
Care is provided by military and civilian clinicians who understand the nature and context of your injuries.
The Veterans Trauma Network works closely with Defence Medical Services, national centres of clinical expertise, NHS veterans mental health services and key service charities to make sure you have a personalised care plan in place. They can also support your families and carers to access services to help them.
The Veterans Trauma Network also works with academic research partners, to better understand the impact of this work.
How to get help from the Veterans Trauma Network
If you tell your NHS GP you served in the armed forces they can refer you by emailing england.veteranstraumanetwork@nhs.net.
You can also be referred by Blind Veterans UK and Style for Soldiers.
For more information, email Blesma at bsoprosthetics@blesma.org or call 020 8548 7080.
You can also visit the NHS website for more information about the Veterans Trauma Network and where local centres are based.
DWP offer advice on training and employment opportunities across a wide range of sectors, support from partner organisations for the families of those who have served, and a route into DWP for anyone who needs help with a welfare benefit issue.
JCP armed forces champions work specifically with members of the armed forces community, and you can email them at: NorthWest.ArmedForcesChampions@dwp.gov.uk
You can call us directly on 0300 323 0707 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Self referrals
You, or a family member, can make a referral via our simple online referral form. (Please note this form is not for professionals making a referral).
Professionals making a referral
GPs, health and social care professionals should download our referral form and email it to us.
Email: the.mvs@nhs.net
We understand that for some veterans wearing face protection (coverings, masks, visors etc) may bring its own difficulties.
Please click here to see our latest guidance.
We are a Veteran Aware Trust
Banner image: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2019
