Women veterans to gain greater access as support group grows
A group set up to offer support for female veterans is expanding its reach to help more women who need support after leaving the forces.
The specialised support by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has gone from strength to strength since it was launched just under six months ago and now offers face-to-face support in Norfolk alongside its online group, with the plan to expand into Suffolk.
The support group was set up by clinical nurse specialist Vicki Bailey, who works in NSFT’s Veterans Integrated Service, after she saw a gap in the provision locally for women veterans.
The original idea was to provide an online social space and network for female veterans to build on relationships with other female veterans. Vicki said: “The group has been a huge success, and we have such had such incredible feedback from the women who have taken part. We’re really pleased that we have been able to increase the support we offer and the ways we do that.”
Vicki is also looking to build up a network of volunteers to help support the work of the groups.
Face-to-face meetings take place every other month for those who have reached out to request that support. A face-to-face co-production group is also being held on 23 March to plan out activities and see if there are changes members would like for the coming year.
The online groups now include dates with guest speakers, the Forces Employment Charity, Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Veterans Services (was Veterans UK), Op Fortitude (veteran homeless support), Forcer protocol (missing veterans strategy) and health coaching.
Chelley Tulloch, from Norwich, was a medic in the RAF for 30 years, during which time she saw frontline service in various operational theatres, including the Balkans, Gulf and Afghanistan
She was medically discharged with chronic pain and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and found it hard to find to support.
After struggling to access help, she was instrumental in setting up a peer support group via St Andrew’s Healthcare, which obtained national recognition.
“When I first left the forces, I reached out for help and support unsuccessfully, until I came across the mental health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS) service for veterans. I was able to do a course on PTSD through the Walnut Tree organisation, but I was the only woman on the course. I can stand up for myself, but I found the banter too much for that environment,” she said.
That’s why she believes the women’s veterans group is a vital support mechanism. “Some women need other women for support. Many have been through horrendous emotional and physical trauma, head, body and soul. This kind of support is very empowering, these women get you and they have your back.”
Chelley is linking closely with Vicki, working on a volunteer role within the women veterans group.
She has also worked as a carer and currently helps with Meals on Wheels deliveries, FoodCycle surplus food collecting, organising the pick-up routes as well as helping to sort donations for Priscilla Bacon Hospice charity.
“It is so humbling to be able to help other women. I’ve been there, done it and got the T shirt so I have the understanding of what they might have been through.”
Please email vicki.bailey@nsft.nhs.uk to register for the support group.