On Parade

 There are 2.6 million Veterans in society. If we include their immediate family, who share in the burdens of the veteran, that’s a big% of the population. 

Upon leaving the Forces, they have to start all over again. Veterans score higher than other comparable groups for: inadequate housing, domestic violence, homelessness, addictions, mental health problems, prison sentencing, and suicide. 

But veterans also score higher than any other group as volunteer workers.

This charter calls for regionally Offices of Veteran Affairs to be governed by locally elected veterans, who, will advocate the following on behalf of all veterans and their dependents and to ensure these are inscribed in law.

1. All service personnel leaving the forces are registered by the Office of Veteran Affairs (OVA). Veterans military medical records to be automatically transferred to the NHS. 

2. Military charities, veteran groups and Veterans Champions to register with the OVA.

 3. The OVA devolve power/admin/actions down to local OVA’s in partnership with local authority’s, mayoral districts and regional NHS trusts. An elected board of Veterans to oversee the OVA at regional and national level. 

4. The OVA to liaise with NHS and military charities on veteran treatments for physical and mental health and housing needs. 

5. OVA’s at national and local level to have; welfare, health, housing, and training & education, Officers. Whom intervene early in the transition to civilian life, along with continued support thereafter. Support the formation and delivery of veterans’ social/activities/volunteer clubs and groups. 

6. Grants for full-time and part-time training & education courses, for all veterans regardless of nationality and length of service. Recognition of transferable skills from the military into civilian life.