You can speak to representatives from the following agencies at our monthly Drop-in:
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA)
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
AA is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of men and women who desire to stop drinking. AA is concerned solely with the personal recovery and continued sobriety of individuals who turn to the Fellowship for help. Drop-in is attended by the Armed Forces Liaison Officer.
CHAPLAIN
The Chaplain’s role in VOS is as a listener and non-judgemental friend to those who visit the Drop-In.
COMPANY OF MAKERS
We help Veterans and their immediate families in and around Hampshire.
Currently funded by the Armed Forces Community Covenant Fund to deliver a programme of free workshops and Portsmouth Clinical Commissioning Group to conduct our Veterans’ Healthcare Survey.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY (CST)
Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a complementary therapy that concentrates on the body’s response to the environment, be that emotional or physical. It is a light touch therapy, during which people usually lie fully clothed on a couch. In partnership with VOS, CST is provided in hourly sessions to help improve quality of life, concentrating on supporting the processes in the body that aid relaxation and can help with sleep, anxiety, pain, anger and stress.
SHORE LEAVE HASLAR
Shore Leave Haslar offers horticultural therapy in the Haslar walled memorial garden, in Gosport. An opportunity to enjoy the sheer delight of working with nature in the great outdoors, the enjoyment of exercise, the camaraderie of working within a team and developing a sense of purpose, achievement and personal accomplishment, in the relaxed, friendly environment of the memorial garden. A focus on the direct support of the individual and the development of wide ranging, practical and creative gardening skills.
Warrior Programme
www.warriorprogramme.org.uk
“Our programme enables individuals to manage their emotions and to develop the resilience, focus and motivation to succeed in today’s world. The programme has been developed over the last ten years to meet the demands and challenges experienced by past and present members of the armed forces and their adult family members.”
THE GOOD MENTAL HEALTH CO-OPERATIVE
The Good Mental Health Cooperative supports community groups and social enterprises which contribute to good mental health, wellbeing and recovery. They promote awareness of how to value our mental and emotional health, and aim to challenge stigma and exclusion. The offer courses and workshops, creative activities in the community and volunteering opportunities. The Good Mental Health Cooperative also run ongoing projects such as the Hampshire Human Library and Mental Health Trialogues.
SOLENT MIND
We are SOLENT MIND – Portsmouth Support & Recovery. Offering Wellbeing at Work & Employment advice. We will work with you on a one-to-one basis to provide individual help with a wide range of workplace issues including job retention, CV writing skills, volunteering, training and job search support.
THE RIPPLE POND
The Ripple Pond offer peer-led support for the adult family members caring for physically or emotionally injured Service Personnel and Veterans.
We are an accessible, judgment-free network helping to develop individual coping mechanisms through our avenues of support, relieving many families of the isolation and anxieties that comes with being a carer.
PORTSMOUTH CARERS CENTRE
Do you look after someone, a family member, friend or neighbour? If so, we are here to help. We are here to support the carer with emotional support and provide information and advice,Emergency Card for carers in case of an emergency, Break fund to help the carer access a break when things become too much, Free training, 30+ Suport groups, sitting service and a Carers Cafè.
Looking after someone is important, but many people who care for someone don’t recognise themselves as carers.
Age UK Portsmouth
www.ageuk.org.uk/portsmouth
Our aim is to help older veterans stay independent and have greater confidence by providing friendly social contact, support and companionship.
Models for heroes
Models for Heroes provides model making provisions to the UK’s Military, Veteran and Emergency Services treatment organisations around the UK. We also raise awareness of the mental health benefits of model making while promoting the hobby.
Rowans Living Well Veterans Service
The aim of the Veteran Living Well Project is to provide bespoke services, working with the hospice team and other health and social care providers, to ensure veterans requiring palliative and end of life care have access to appropriate treatments and therapies to meet their psychological, physical, social and spiritual needs. This may involve services within the new Living Well Centre or services within the community; support for both the person who has served in the forces and their family.
Hounds for Heroes
Our mission is to provide specially trained assistance dogs to injured and disabled men and women of both the UK Armed Forces and Emergency Services. We aim to provide help and practical support leading to an enhanced quality of life.