Enhancing their prospects: Resettlement support for military personnel transitioning to civilian life

1. ‘Enhancing their prospects’ Remount trading as Future for Heroes Ltd is a registered charity (no.1126396) and registered company in England and Wales (no. 6724674) limited by guarantee. Graham Brown CEO Future for Heroes

2. You will be familiar with: Financial and practical support Plus many other military-focused, welfare charities

3. But what do we do and what is different? A potential safety net: for that journey from military to civilian life

4. Why is it Needed? • 20 000 leave the Services each year, including a number on redundancy. Many will have seen combat. • Since 1991, it is thought 66 000 service men and women now need support for physical and/or mental health problems (King’s College London, for H4H). • The MOD and charities spend millions in helping wounded, injured or sick, which includes those with invisible scars. • The majority leaving generally get less help in dealing with the cultural, emotional and irrational (for some) changes that transition brings. • It is this area in which we offer support and help.

5. Service to Civilian Life From: • Structure. • Discipline. • Military family. • ‘Mates’. To: • The unknown: a job (or not), a home (or not), meals, material possessions. • Alone: maybe stressed, lacking confidence, lacking direction. • Family pressure. • A civilian world perceived to be unaware of military skillsets. • A civilian world where standards, principles, morals… may well be different.

6. A Cultural Shock For some, possible: • Loss of identity and way of life. • Disillusionment. • Loneliness. • Homelessness. • Dependency. • Crime. • Prison. • For a small number, suicide.

7. Charity Aim: • To develop the ability of both serving and retired members of the armed forces, as well as their spouses/partners, to manage the dramatic change in cultures when resuming civilian life. • Most make the transition easily but some find it difficult. • We offer support to those wishing it to help come to terms with emotional and mental adjustments. • They may simply be anxious; they may be in a really difficult place.

8. For Whom • Service leavers – in resettlement phase. • Veterans – of any vintage. • Veterans in Custody – post-release. • Twelve months minimum service. • With spouses/partners, where appropriate.

9. Trustees • Chairman – Roger Davis (Former RTR – independent non-Executive Chairman Sainsbury's Bank plc) • Paddy Alison (Former RTR – defence consultancy and corporate fund raiser) • Jerry Connolly (Former RAF – now in the private sector in directorial and consultancy roles, geo-political and strategic affairs) • David Hook (Former RM – undertakes a number of senior consulting roles) • Bill McLachlan (Former AAC – previously F4H CEO, property investment and logistics) • Godfrey Owen (Chief Executive, Brathay Trust) • Brian Pegnall (Former RAF – semi-retired, formerly ran own London-based business)

10. What we do • The armed services have always offered a resettlement programme. • We believe we go a step further by supporting an individual to become independent. • We focus on aspirations, ambitions and needs. • To help an individual to adapt to a major life-changing situation. • Ultimately, to get them either into happy retirement or, for most, training and employment.

11. The Course • Eight-to-twelve delegates per course. • Number of courses per year – up to 10. • Since 2008, over 600 passed through, aiming for 100 per year. • Funding required = circa £213 000 pa including overheads. • Cost to Future for Heroes = approx £1100 per delegate; it is free to the delegate.

12. Our Charity: • Provides free residential courses over 4 days at Brathay Hall, Lake District. • Holds Preferred Supplier Status with the CTP. • The Defence Recovery Capability sanctions on-duty attendance of serving Wounded, Injured and Sick (WIS) personnel during their resettlement. • Course delivery recognised by the ILM. • We do not offer clinical intervention.

13. The F4H Programme • The Three Principles: • Learn from the past. • Live in the present. • Plan for the future. • Four Aspects to the Course for our delegates: • Finding out more about themselves – who they really are? • Planning their life: setting and achieving personal goals. • Accepting the process of change. • Making a personal commitment to the future. • An F4H mantra:

14. Building trust How we do it – a personal change programme • A mixture of classroom-based discussions and (gentle) outdoors experience-based activities. • Metaphorical, generates discussion…thought: • Specialist technicians to support WIS and those with disabilities • Employment presentations

15. How we do it – a personal change programme • A mixture of classroom-based discussions and (gentle) outdoors experience-based activities. • ‘Challenge by Choice’ – each activity is voluntary. • For the delegates, the beginning of a journey: • to get back self-esteem, confidence and a sense of worth, so: • the benefits of the qualities, strengths and experiences gained from their time in the military are realised.

16. Course Achievements: • Enhancing self-awareness. • Demonstrating the behaviours and characteristics of an effective team member. • Understanding the importance of disclosure and feedback. • Getting the most from relationships by appreciating different levels of communication. • Recognising and controlling emotions. • Understanding and embracing the process of change. • Harnessing the power of positive reframing. • Employing effective listening skills. • Recognising the value of having a balanced lifestyle. • Understanding the importance of a mentor. • Setting and achieving personal goals.

17. MentoringDuring, and Post-Course Access to a mentor Continuing help and guidance to gain employment Signposting to external expertise Networking opportunities Continuing moral support Mentoring work developed for F4H by Lancaster University

18. Testimonials / Achievements • This course I've waited 20 years since leaving ..to go on, I had no pre-release training when I left. Small focused steps. I can't thank F4H enough • …has given me back the confidence to contact both the RBL Life works and the RFEA …. the professionalism, politeness, patient welcoming and continued support of all the staff and volunteers that facilitate and encourage all … to … enjoy and Learn. • …inspired me to become more positive ... I have managed to get a flat and a job is just around the corner. Life has improved massively since been involved with F4H. • Am [seeking] help rather than thinking that I have to do it on my own. I am taking my medication and not seeing it as a failing. • Went on Lifeworks course in Kent.

19. Benefactors CRH Charitable Trust

20. CONTACTS/INFORMATION • Course Details and Applications: Julia: 01452 505686 / admin@f4h.org.ukKevin: 07702 596226 / admin@f4h.org.uk • Website: www.f4h.org.uk • F4H Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/262504950507377/ F4H • LinkedIn Group: www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=4793773&trk=anet_ug_hm • F4H Twitter Account: twitter.com/FutureForHeroes • My Donate: mydonate.bt.com/charities/f4h

21. Delegate SM: June 2016 I ask what is Brathay Wonders that run deep within the nature-ral heart Donates power to unlock our natural potential from any start Never to compromise to failure but strive for excellence To show good faith in oneself and love supremacy Casting all notion of doubt for we are all heroes due to birth Having to learn, live and plan so may we succeed on this earth Never allow the self to stray away from 100 per-cent to zeros There’s a past, a present but this is a place for Future for Heroes.

22. ‘Enhancing their prospects’ Remount trading as Future for Heroes Ltd is a registered charity (no.1126396) and registered company in England and Wales (no. 6724674) limited by guarantee.