Page 6 - Bugle Issue 19 Spring 2022

THE BUGLE
ALWAYS A RIFLEMAN PROGRAMME
What is it?
As a regiment that is renowned for forward thinking and initiative, The Always a Rifleman Programme is the first of its kind. The principal aim is to prevent veterans from succumbing to the effects of a crisis. It achieves this by bridging the gap between a Rifleman falling into crisis and the delivery of professional help offered by specialist charities, or the NHS. Concurrently, the programme works tirelessly to prevent veterans from giving up during a crisis by guiding them through a recovery plan that leads to a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Staffed by over 110 volunteers, all of whom have RIFLES pedigree, this initiative has already saved dozens of lives.
How does the programme work?
There are three different stages of help delivered by the programme:
• Immediate
• Intermediate
• Planned
Immediate support is provided by our 24/7 RIFLES only emergency help line. Manned by eight highly experienced retired Riflemen, all of whom have experienced a crisis and survived. Anonymity is guaranteed, but most importantly, so is immediate help. If you call this number during a crisis, the programme aims to have someone at your door within an hour. Intermediate support is delivered between the moment of a stabilised crisis and the delivery of professional care. The programme does not seek to deliver clinical assistance,
it is purely based on Peer-to-Peer support.
A combination of qualified helpers and life experienced veterans deliver assurance
and guidance by remaining connected and involved until adequate professional care has been established.
Planned support is specifically aimed at preventing a reoccurrence of a crisis. It is achieved using an army of mentors, all of whom are accomplished retired Riflemen. The mentors work tirelessly with other charities to help veterans to ascend Maslow’s
chart of hierarchical needs and reach self- actualisation. They achieve this by skilfully unifying charitable efforts and an individuals’ goals and aspirations. From finding better employment to building their own business, the mentorship is fundamental to the success of the programme.
What does the future hold
for the Always A Rifleman Programme?
The programme aspires to get bigger by working with a unified regimental association, The Rifleman’s Association. During the first six months of the programme, we have come to learn that we are more effective and efficient when we are unified by the same principles.
Whilst this is both ambitious and challenging, our regiment was formed to lead change, and by this virtue, it is only right to embrace change and maximise the opportunity it presents.
If you
call this number during a crisis, the programme aims
to have someone supportive at your door within an hour
6 RIFLES The Bugle