Services and charities Providing Help and Support

Support for veterans

If you’ve served in the UK Armed Forces, we recognise that your experiences may be different from the general population. Whether your difficulties are recent or have been present for many years, support is available. At Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies, we offer free, confidential support for veterans experiencing common mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis to access support.

Priority access for veterans

We recognise the commitment and service of veterans and aim to ensure timely access to support. Under the NHS Constitution for England, veterans who have a health condition related to their time in the Armed Forces are entitled to priority access to NHS care, where this is clinically appropriate.

We will identify when someone is a veteran and we will prioritise treatment for veterans whose mental health condition is linked to their time in the armed forces.

How to access support

You can refer yourself directly to NHS Talking Therapies here: https://www.talkingtherapies.hwhct.nhs.uk/selfreferral
Or ask your GP or another professional to refer you. When you contact us, please let us know if you are a veteran so we can ensure your support is tailored appropriately.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a supporter of the Armed Forces, we are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces (and their families) are treated fairly. It includes a core statement of commitment that no member of the Armed Forces community should face disadvantage in the provision of public or commercial services compared to any other citizen and that in some circumstances, special treatment may be appropriate. Veterans and their families should not be disadvantaged from accessing appropriate health services, for example, if they are on a waiting list and are changing their location. The NHS always prioritises people with the most urgent clinical need first, but thereafter it is important that armed forces service related injuries receive timely treatment.

Employer Recognition Scheme

The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) was launched in 2014 to recognise employer support for the wider principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employers that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces community. This includes the Reserves, Service leavers, Armed Forces veterans, the wounded, injured and sick, cadets, military spouses or partners and their families. The Trust committed and signed up to fulfilling the pledges.