Care after Combat, a Newark-based charity that supports the wellbeing of Armed Forces veterans in the justice system and helps them to get their lives back on track, is celebrating the success of a unique partnership, reports Rachel Jones.

ReGroup Pathfinder links veterans charities Care after Combat, Project Nova — an initiative created by Walking with the Wounded — and Forces Employment Charity, with Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

It is the only coordinated single pathway of care for veterans in the Criminal Justice System in the UK, and was developed to inform NHS England’s long-term strategy for those people.

Care after Combat chief executive Adrian Kirk said at a conference to celebrate the success: “Today’s event celebrates ReGroup as a pathfinder service delivered to Armed Forces veterans in the justice system, which formally concluded on 31st March, 2023. The collaborative support to over 800 veterans during the almost four-year period of delivery has seen significant improvements in the lives and life chances of some of our most vulnerable veterans.”

There are numerous and complex reasons why some ex-members of the Forces find themselves in the justice system. ReGroup provides them with specialist support, enabling access to mental health services with an understanding of military life. It works closely with courts, prisons, and police services, as well as other agencies covering, for example, employment and housing, to help veterans build a life without crime.

Those who have benefitted have, in turn, been directly involved with the development of Pathfinder; its delivery, including awareness training; and the creation of the Veteran’s Signature — a unique self-help workbook specifically designed to support an individual to identify and overcome traumatic and difficult experiences.
Care after Combat specialises in working with veterans in prison. It offers support from a volunteer mentor, who might have served in the Forces themselves, to veterans preparing for release and during their first year back in the community.

A spokesman said this extended mentorship reduced the likelihood of veterans repeating problems that occurred after they left the Forces.

During their time in prison, veterans receive visits from their mentors, therapists, and other relevant organisations and employers. Nottinghamshire Offender Healthcare provide specialist individual and group therapy, counselling, and engagement work, including visits with therapy dog Blue (pictured).

This specialist healthcare is designed to help with mental health difficulties related to veterans’ military service.

Veterans who engage with ReGroup are less likely to reoffend, with rates one-fifth of the national average.

Project Nova has provided full support for veterans and their families via case workers in the community. They have worked on specific projects with police services, including exploring and developing court diversion options. The court diversions are designed to offer more appropriate and targeted responses to veterans’ needs in the community.

ReGroup started in 2018 as a four-way partnership between Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Care After Combat, Project Nova, and veterans.

Following its initial launch in 2019, ReGroup received 535 referrals in the first year. Since then it has continued to grow.

During the pandemic, staff continued to provide support. This was particularly difficult in the prison system, where lockdowns prevented access to prisons for Care after Combat.

So the team provided an innovative approach to care, increasing contact with each veteran in prison.

Nottinghamshire Offender Healthcare developed an interactive information and self-help workbook, which Care after Combat produced and delivered to each veteran. This workbook known as Stand Easy follows a military theme with a focus on mental and physical well-being, activity and humour.

Since the first edition, 15,080 packs have been sent to veterans across the country in more than 90 prisons. Over 5,000 written responses have been received and each response replied to.

Care after Combat chief executive Adrian Kirk said: “The veterans will continue to be supported via Veteran Care Through Custody — a collaboration between Care after Combat and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust — operating in the ReGroup prisons of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, and via Op NOVA.

This new England-wide service for veterans covers pre-custody and post-custody support. It was commissioned by NHS England, and will be delivered by Care after Combat and Forces Employment Charity.

“Everyone at Care after Combat is extremely proud of their part in the ReGroup Pathfinder and the follow-on services that will continue to help veterans to get their lives back on track and not re-offend.”

To find out more about Care after Combat go to https://careaftercombat.org

For further information about the Forces Employment Charity, go to https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk

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