A PIONEERING initiative offering guidance and support to military veterans and others with post-traumatic stress disorder and psychosocial problems such as homelessness, substance misuse and mental health issues, is now available across Wales.
Change Step, a peer-mentoring and advice service, is delivered by veterans for veterans who wish to make positive changes in their lives.
The service supports those seeking help for problems encountered as a result of military or operational duty through peer support, training opportunities and signposting to relevant health and welfare services.
The project was initially established in north Wales in 2012 by Llandudno-based drug and alcohol charity CAIS.
In recognition of its success, the programme has been awarded a grant of one million pounds by the UK Government’s Armed Forces Covenant LIBOR fund to create an all-Wales Change Step service.
The national service will be delivered by members of the ‘Drug and Alcohol Charities Wales’ consortium.
Chief Executive of CAIS, Clive Wolfendale, said: “Veterans accessing the service have given so much for their country, but quite often feel forgotten about and disconnected from society. We need to help and reach out to veterans to assist them to reintegrate into their local community and mainstream services.”
Change Step will work alongside peer mentors at other agencies including CAIS, Kaleidoscope, Treatment and Education Drug Service, Welsh Centre for Action on Dependancy and Addiction, Cyswllt Contact and Drugaid.
Contact the Change Step team on 0300 777 2259 or email ask@change-step.co.uk for more information.