The Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) recently launched its programme of sector briefing events at Stoll, South-West London.  The series of events is being held to promote understanding of how FiMT can support ex-Service personnel, and their families, during their transition to civilian life.

The briefings are being hosted by Chief Executive FiMT, Air Vice-Marshal Ray Lock CBE, and his executive team.  Those attending the first event included representatives from research bodies, the MOD, Armed Forces charities and civilian organisations which all work to support personnel through the transition process.

The events incorporate networking, a detailed briefing of FiMT’s current projects as well as information about FiMT’s mission, vision and values, and a chance for delegates to ask FiMT’s executive team questions.  Further sector briefing events will take place in Scotland and Wales in the Autumn.

‘This was the first time FiMT had done an event of this type and we are extremely pleased with the attendance and the feedback we have had so far’  commented Ray Lock.  ‘As well as providing an in-depth briefing on what we do, we also had an invaluable opportunity to discuss key transition issues within a unique forum.  This also gave us the chance to provide potential applicants with an insight into how we work and the partner organisations to whom we have awarded grants, and for the sector to let us know how we can improve our communications and processes

 

Notes to Editors:

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About The Forces in Mind Trust

The concept of the Forces in Mind Trust arose from a partnership between the Big Lottery Fund (BIG), cobseo (The Confederation of Service Charities) and other charities and organisations.

In addition to cobseo Members, key supporting charities are: The Mental Health Foundation, Centre for Mental Health and Shaw Trust.

fim-trust.org

Stoll

Stoll (formerly Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation) is a registered charity based in Fulham, West London which enables vulnerable and disabled ex-Servicemen and women to live as independently as possible by providing a range of services. For more information visit www.stoll.org.uk

 Projects FiMT is currently funding:

The Endeavour Fund

The Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) is supporting The Royal Foundation with a grant of £250,000 as part of their three-year partnership agreement. The funds will be distributed by The Endeavour Fund, created by The Royal Foundation, which provides opportunities for injured Servicemen and women to take part in sporting and adventure challenges as part of their recovery and subsequent transition into civilian life. The organisations and projects FiMT and The Endeavour Fund partnership have given funds towards are:

The Warrior Programme

The programme is a non-clinical training and education programme for veterans who are experiencing serious problems adjusting to civilian living.  The programme has embarked on a partnership with Southampton University to undertake a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) which has been funded by the Forces in Mind Trust, to evaluate the programme’s impact on the transition of Service personnel into civilian life.

www.warriorprogramme.org.uk

Future Horizons

The Future Horizons Programme was set up in 2012 to offer resettlement support, information and guidance to soldiers leaving the Army who are classed as Early Service Leavers (ESLs).  The programme, which is focussed in and around the Catterick Garrison area, the largest British Army garrison in the world, aims to ensure that ESLs make a successful transition back into civilian life and find full time employment. www.futurehorizons.org

FiMT’s Research Projects:

In order to help improve the understanding of transition and the welfare support available to members of the Armed forces, veterans and their families, FiMT is currently funding two major research projects:

The findings of these projects will be published in mid-2013:

  • Transition mapping: mapping the whole transition process in order to identify the causes and economic costs of failure and to identify where resources should be directed to make substantial improvement.
  • Mental Health Review: a report to review the research evidence to date surrounding the mental health of serving and ex-Service military personnel in the UK.

The findings of these projects will be published in Autumn-2013:

  • Futures 4 Forces: a qualitative research programme into the employability of ex-Service personnel
    • Stoll and Riverside: a qualitative and quantitative research programme into housing and support provision for ex-Service personnel.

The information gathered from the research projects will shape the potential for further study, by building up knowledge, evidence and information. The research will make a direct contribution towards improving support provided to members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families as they transition into civilian life.

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG)

The Forces in Mind Trust continues BIG’s long-standing legacy of support for veterans across the UK. Since 2004 the Fund has given more than £88 million to programmes supporting veterans. www.biglotteryfund.org.uk