Organisation Type: Local

Rotherham MCVC is a young Charity which operates without any form of regular income, providing support and guidance for ex service personnel and their families within Rotherham and its neighbouring communities, the latter being brought about through a growing reputation of an organisation that delivers upon its promises. Relying entirely on the generosity of a small team of voluntary staff who give their time willingly and freely, the MCVC consists of both serving and ex-service members of the armed forces, dependents and members of associated organisations, all of whom work tirelessly to deliver a one stop point of contact offering help, advice, guidance and support on a wide range of topics (i.e. welfare, healthcare, housing, employment, benefits, training etc.), including the provision of a 24 hour contact line, a weekly ‘Drop In’ Centre at Silverwood Miners Club in Rotherham, a Breakfast Club on alternate Saturday’s at the ‘Toby Carvery’ Rotherham, a mobile Outreach Trailer enabling delivery of its services throughout the borough and a Befriending service for housebound / isolated veterans. In addition to the above the MCVC also operates a collection / return service for veterans whom have been befriended and who wish to attend the Friday ‘Drop In’, all of which sets us apart from other military charities.

Through our outreach work we raise awareness amongst the wider public of the issues that affect the armed forces community, most notably the transition from military to civilian, employment, housing and cultural differences and the potential for disadvantage, exclusion and long-term issues should that transition not be successful. In such circumstances, we are able to signpost to the appropriate support which will help them successfully reintegrate back into civilian life and could help to reduce long term issues requiring more expensive interventions.

We offer confidence boosting help through comradeship in our group activities and with our Friday ‘Drop In’ numbers continually on the increase we are proud to have made a positive impact on hundreds of people’s lives and improved our communities during the five years since the MCVC was formed.

The MCVC was formed in January 2012 following the signing of the Armed Forces Community Covenant by Rotherham Borough Council and leaders of 21 organisations from the Public, Private, Voluntary sectors and various other military and ex – service groups, the heart of which is to ensure that those who serve in the armed forces whether regular or reserve, and those who have served in the past, together with their families, will not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.

We want our Armed Forces (both Regular and Reserves), veterans and their families to know they can depend on SSAFA for support now and for the rest of their lives.

Our SSAFA provides lifelong support to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force.

Help Beyond The Frontline

Young and old alike, anyone who has ever served in our Forces is eligible for SSFA support.

If you are serving

Our community volunteers provide practical support to serving members of the Forces and their families on buses at home and overseas. From a friendly chat to assistance during operational deployment, we’re here to help.

Helpline open 0900 – 17.30 every weekday.

• Location: The Toby Carvery – Rotherham, Sycamore Road, Eastwood Trading Estate, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S65 1EN
• Meeting Time: Alternate Saturday’s 10am to midday.

Welcome to the Rotherham MCVC Breakfast Club.

The Rotherham MCVC (Military Community Veterans Centre) Breakfast Club started in 2015 and was born on the back of a need to provide serving and ex-service members of the armed forces (Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and Royal marines, including dependants) in the Rotherham area with a venue to network and meet on a social footing with comrades from a similar background. Visit “Upcoming Events” on our website www.rotherhammcvc.org.uk for date of the next Breakfast Club meeting.

Anyone from the military community (Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines) serving, ex services, including dependents and associated organisation are welcome to attend.

Where needed you can benefit from to provision of advice, guidance and a sign posting service, or just join in the banter that we are all familiar with from our military days, all for free, and while there why not take advantage of the good food, tea, coffee (large filter coffee with free refills until 2pm) soft drinks and alcoholic beverages all at very reasonable prices.

Project Nova is a collaboration of two military charities Walking with the Wounded and the Regular Forces Employment Association.

Project Nova is a free, confidential and independent service to assist Ex-Armed Forces personnel who find themselves in the criminal justice system. The programme forms part of the liaison and diversion initiative which provides support from Police Custody suites and the Courts.

Project Nova aims to provide an early intervention model which will look at all health and social issues that may be impacting on both your ability to settle in Civvy Street and your offending behaviour.

Project Nova offers support for all Ex-Armed forces service personnel:

• Army
• Royal Navy
• Royal Air Force
• Reservists

Project Nova is independent of the Police force and all parties within the Criminal Justice System, however we work with them to ensure that you get the best possible service from all parties
concerned.

How it Works

You would have been asked by the Custody Sgt at the booking in to police custody stage “Have you ever served in HM Armed Forces?” you may even have been spoken to by one of the Custody Support Team, other Police Officers or by the NHS CJL&D team.

Sometimes we may be able to meet with you in the Custody Centre but generally we will meet with you at your home or a place you feel most comfortable. (Please ensure that you give the custody staff a contact telephone number for us to call you on.)

When we meet up we will ask you a few questions around your life prior to joining the military, doing military service and since discharge.

One we have completed a Needs assessment we will know the best path to help you address any issues that have caused you problems in your transition to ‘Civvy Street’. We work with a host of military and civilian charities to offer you a bespoke package of support designed for you.

If you have been charged with an offence we will work with the defence solicitors and with the court to ensure that they are aware of your military service and how we at Project Nova will be working with you.

Will provide details to the court on your health and social well-being and also outline any mitigating factors regarding the offence.

Areas of Support

• Legal representation in partnership with defence solicitors
• Housing Employment & Funding for training through WWTW First Steps.
• Benefits and Welfare Advice through partners.
• MOD – discharge, pensions, Compensation etc. through Veterans Welfare Service.
• Mental Health via WWTW Head Start, the NHS & other partners.
• Substance Misuse, Alcohol dependency.
• Family matters including Domestic Violence and Anger Management.

You can expect to be supported by a range of high quality partners. We will maintain regular contact with you and those agencies that we refer you to, to ensure that the speediest and most effective solution is put in place to support you.

Seek HELP today, ask to be referred and please leave a contact telephone number.

Case Study

“John” 36 was arrested and charged with possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.

This was not his first offence, since leaving the military on compassionate grounds he has not made a successful transition to Civvy Street.

At the time of arrest this veteran was living rough on wasteland and feeding himself from refuse bins at the back of a supermarket.

Project Nova carried out a needs assessment and accommodation was sought in a B&B temporarily. The veteran was a heroin user. A local supported housing project was approached and a room was secured.

The veteran has now moved on from the unit into his own accommodation. Project Nova has worked with the veteran sourcing new clothes, furniture, white goods, a laptop, fishing equipment and assistance was given to the veteran to set up a fishing group to assist other addicts in recovery.

The court asked for a record of Project Nova’s interventions and this was included in the pre-sentence report.

Due to veteran’s efforts and the intervention of Project Nova, the judge commented, “due to your efforts and Project Nova, you have avoided a custodial sentence.”

Contact Details

Steve Lowe (North of England Manager South Yorkshire & Humberside)
Telephone: 07973 581542
Email: steve@regularforcesemployment.co.uk

Steve Brooks
Telephone: 07976 764176
E-mail: steveb@regularforcesemplyment.co.uk

Elaine Mason (Regional Co-Ordinator)
Telephone: 07976 530984
Email: elaine@regularforcesemployment.co.uk

Getting Advice

Our Main office is located in the centre of Rotherham

Citizens Advice Rotherham: Mon 9am – 5pm
The Pain Building: Tues 9am – 5pm
Eastwood Lane: Wed 9am – 5pm
Rotherham: Thu 9am – 7pm
S61 1EQ: Fri 9am – 5pm

Phone: 03444 111 444 or 01709 794980

We also have several outreach centres that after specialist or limited services.

To get advice, you can visit our office, phone us, write to us, complete on our online contact forms, or use our web chat. Please give as many details about your problem as possible to help us deal with your issues.

Advice Online:

• Benefits
• Work
• Dept and Money
• Consumer
• Relationships
• Housing
• Law and Rights
• Discrimination
• Tax
• Healthcare
• Education

Main Office: Age UK Rotherham, Galax Business Centre, Eastwood Trading Estate, Fitzwilliam Road, Rotherham, S65 1SL

Independent Living Support

At some point our lives we need help or support to maintain our independence, someone to make things easier, someone who can enhance our quality of life without taking it over. Someone to help us enjoy and remain part of the community.

Age UK Rotherham Independent Living Support staff are selected because of their passion for care which can make a real difference to people’s lives. They are full insured, friendly and caring and will provide high quality individualised services to support you to live independently in your own home.

We can help with:

• Home independence support
• Benefits checks
• Aids and adaptations at home
• Loneliness and isolation support
• Fuel poverty advice
• Help with simple tasks at home
• Insurance and mobility aids for older people