EditorSWANSEA: Free employment support service launches for veterans in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot
Veterans in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot who are looking for help finding a way back into work can now sign up for a free specialist support service available across south Wales.
The Poppy Factory’s Navigator service offers up to six months of personalised one-to-one support for veterans who may be experiencing isolation, loneliness or challenges with their mental or physical health that are making it difficult to move towards employment. The service is free and open to veterans who self-refer directly, or who are referred by partners in the NHS or other organisations.
The service has received local backing from Swansea Bay Health Charity, which has contributed funding and is helping to spread awareness that support is available across the communities served by Swansea Bay University Health Board.
Poppy Factory Navigator Paul Roberts met Lewis Bradley, Manager of Swansea Bay Health Charity, outside the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea to mark the launch and encourage more veterans to register.
Paul Roberts, Navigator for The Poppy Factory:
“I know there are veterans in and around Swansea and Neath Port Talbot who are going through difficult times and can’t easily find a way forward. If you’re a veteran and you’re thinking about finding work in the future, The Poppy Factory is here for you every step of the way.
“I’d like to thank Swansea Bay Health Charity for contributing important funding for our service, and for helping to spread the word that support is out there.”
Navigator is designed to take a practical approach to employment, helping veterans move forward through hobbies, activities and opportunities for training or volunteering, rather than pushing people directly into job applications before they are ready. The aim is for veterans to feel healthier, more independent and better connected — with employment as the destination rather than the starting point.
Lewis Bradley, Manager of Swansea Bay Health Charity:
“We’re proud to support The Poppy Factory’s Navigator service and the positive difference it is making for veterans across our communities. At Swansea Bay Health Charity, we’re committed to working in partnership to improve wellbeing of our veterans and create opportunities for people to move forward with confidence.”
The service is also funded nationally by the Veterans’ Foundation and the Hodge Foundation, and is available in south Wales, Cheshire and Merseyside, and the West Midlands. Last year, 83 veterans were referred for support nationally, with half achieving their primary goals around financial stability, community and a sense of purpose.
Veterans in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot who would like to find out more or register for the Navigator service can do so through the Poppy Factory’s website.
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