Healthwatch Shropshire amongst guests at next Armed Forces Outreach event on 5 August

The next Armed Forces Outreach Support service event will take place on Monday 5 August 2019 from 10am until 1pm at Palmer’s of Shrewsbury.

It is one of a series of events which take place on the first and third Monday of every month from 10am until 1pm at the café, the relaxed and friendly sessions are open to military personnel, veterans and their families.

Armed Forces Outreach sessions

On 5 August, Jayne Morris from Healthwatch Shropshire will be continuing the conversations she was having last time around people’s thoughts on healthcare provision, talking about the service Healthwatch Shropshire provides, and to answer any questions, from 10.30am.

Healthwatch Shropshire aims to give the people of Shropshire a real say in the way health and social care services are run. They use people’s feedback about these services to hold providers and commissioners (the ones who buy the services) to account. Their aim is to ensure that the voice of Shropshire residents remains at the centre of any decisions.

They can take feedback on; hospitals, GPs, mental health services, pharmacists, opticians, community health services, residential and domiciliary care and children’s services. Whatever services people have been using.

The Long Term Plan for the NHS (issued January 2019) has sparked a great need for service planners and commissioners to have feedback from Shropshire residents. It is important they know what is good and what needs improving.

Also on Monday 5 August, Claire Chiltern, Severn Trent Water’s relationships co-ordinator, will be there to help customers to pay their bills. Plus, there will be a number of  service charities and organisations on hand to offer help and advice.

Sean McCarthy, Shropshire Council’s sports development and Armed Forces Covenant officer, said:

“We are delighted to offer this important outreach service in Shrewsbury and we’re pleased to welcome Healthwatch Shropshire again, and Severn Trent Water.

“The military community can sometimes find it difficult to access the advice they need once they leave the Armed Forces. The sessions will give serving personnel veterans and their families access to a support network which understands their background and needs – in a friendly and relaxed environment. Through this targeted advice and guidance, these people will be fully supported to lead independent lives within Shropshire.”

The outreach service has made possible through the Armed Forces Covenant Grant Scheme – a scheme that gives financial support to local projects which strengthen the ties and mutual understanding between members of the Armed Forces community and the wider community in which they live.

The outreach service has initially been supported by RBL, SSAFA, Combat Stress, Walking with the Wounded and Shropshire Council, but the service will be working closely with a number of other charities, and local organisations and businesses moving forward.

Other outreach events will also be held throughout the county. For further information, people can visit: https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/support-for-armed-forces-personnel-veterans-and-families/