Veterans In Crisis

Veterans in Crisis Sunderland CIC (VICS) is dedicated to fostering resilience and connections among veterans and their families by offering a wide range of socially prescribed activities and support services, including mental health counselling, employment coaching, and access to essential resources. We collaborate with partners and maintain stringent safety measures to make a positive impact on the well-being of veterans in Sunderland.
Statistical information from the community insight report for Sunderland (https://docs.google.com/document/d/11UosrYmZqM2Im-V5CntO7ilmS0bsvMiu/edit) identifies significant challenges related to substance abuse, homelessness, mental health issues (particularly PTSD in veterans), lack of physical exercise and social isolation. Our clients span a wide age range, from young adults to the elderly and can be disabled, have served custodial sentences, LGBTQ+, and BAME all of which are under represented but part of the veteran family. In the City of Sunderland alone, there are approximately 21,000 armed forces veterans, with over 4000, (https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/veterans-mental-health-key-facts) likely experiencing mental health issues. Despite the substantial population of veterans in Sunderland, pride often hinders many from seeking assistance. Referrals can and do come from external partners including the City Council and is something that we manage effectively but are happy to also encourage. VICS are the best placed organisation in the city to manage veterans and their families, we speak their language, we understand their problems and we have delivered immeasurable solutions countless times.
When veterans reach out to Veterans in Crisis (we get approximately 3 to 4 referrals each week), our initial assessment often uncovers mental health concerns that stem from PTSD. Delivering socially prescribed activities is one of the ways we engage with a substantial number of veterans. These activities provide them with a purpose and temporarily alleviate the burdens that contribute to mental health conditions.
Our solution involves providing several activities each week, offering a range of choices to attract diverse veterans and their families. Our goal is to reach as many veterans as possible, and this approach enables us to do so effectively. Successful therapies we currently use such as dog walking and “Walk n Talk” will be complimented by new group therapy sessions and will include Coffee and Chat, Men only, Ladies only, Mixed groups and also groups for school aged during holiday periods. Employability is a contributor to issues of mental health and we will hold one to one meetings with employment coaches to give advice on the transferrable skills that ex forces personnel have attained.
Recognising veterans’ competitive spirit, our social prescribing activities will also focus on sports and arts. We plan to involve veterans in activities like horticulture, cycling fitness classes, hiking, five-a-side football, peer group meetings, and boxing. As the project evolves, additional activities will be incorporated.
The NHS recognise that our work in mental health counselling has and continues to deliver impactful results. In collaboration with Sunderland GP’s we have appointed an Armed Forces Champion in every surgery enabling immediate referral for veterans who require help, particularly mental health. From our own statistical information collected on our existing members we have recorded that over 80% come from high areas of deprivation. In assessing the work that we carry out we use the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9) to identify where on their journey to a better health a client would be.
The impact of the cost-of-living crisis created a demand for a free hot meal every week and this is something we will continue to provide for our community.
Furthermore, we are collaborating with various partners to provide advice from our newly acquired premises on St. Luke’s Terrace in Sunderland. Here, we will work alongside organisations such as IMPACT NE, Springboard NE and Gentoo who, offer housing, guidance on matters such as debt management, substance abuse, mental health counselling, training for employment, a job search facility on our website, and utility costs. Additionally, we are collaborating with Sunderland Royal Hospital and Sunderland Healthwatch to provide support for patients and visitors.
Our socially prescribed activities will be administered by fully trained and DBS-checked personnel. We uphold rigorous Safeguarding policies, and all our staff are well-versed in them. External partners must also meet our stringent Health and Safety protocols and possess their own DBS records before joining forces with VICS.