Page 6 - BNVTA CAMPAIGN Summer 2020

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campaign Summer 2020
Introducing Project Reunite
The BNTVA has recently secured funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust COVID Fund to connect veterans, wives and widows as part of Project Reunite.
The Project has commenced to link BNTVA veterans, after enduring the loneliness of lockdown, social isolation, anxiety, and disappointment from hearing about the cancellations of the BNTVA Conference in May, and the All Tests Reunion in September 2020 due to COVID-19. This grant covers bringing awareness of the BNTVA to reach veterans who may not yet have heard of us through advertising in military magazines and newspapers.
We are delighted to announce the formation of a new partnership of collaborative working to develop and enhance welfare services for veterans, wives and widows. The BNTVA and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) are aiming to bring veterans together to unite, reunite, and provide a forum for sharing and chatting on a weekly basis over the phone. This service is open for all BNTVA veterans from the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The Project seeks to provide emotional and welfare support in the following ways by providing:
Telephone Friendship Groups (TFGs).
After remote volunteer training in safeguarding and facilitating takes place in early September, the BNTVA will be ready to provide facilitators to run groups of six veterans at a time on an audio-conferencing service provided by the RAFBF and The Silverline Charity for older people.
These groups will be specific for BNTVA members, and, if popular, will be extended post- COVID. The environment will be relaxed to encourage chatting, finding commonalities such as tests attended or geographical location, searching for old friends and colleagues, and sharing interests on a weekly basis for an hour. If you are interested in being included in this service, please contact us on 0208 144 3080, chairman@bntva.com or by post. Likewise, if you are interested in volunteering to facilitate a group, please contact us as soon as possible.
Listening and Counselling Service
The RAFBF runs a listening and counselling service, which was primarily set up to cover the waiting period for people accessing NHS treatment.
Due to the effect of COVID on emotional wellbeing, the BNTVA is linking into this confidential and personalised service for veterans, wives and widows of the Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The service has been set up for those who feel they could benefit in sharing personal issues with a trained professional. If you are concerned about your wellbeing, feel you need to be listened to, are coming to terms with grief, a life-changing diagnosis, living long-term with chronic conditions, or are experiencing the challenges of a life-limiting diagnosis, then please do get in touch to access emotional support and talking therapies. This service is extended to family members who care for someone else, or who are being cared for. Trained counsellors will make a personal visit where possible, and provide up to 12 free counselling sessions. If you feel you need the support of the Listening and Counselling Service, please contact confidentially on 0208 144 3080.