RSL LifeCare Veteran Services FY21-22 milestones update

The last 12 months have been incredibly turbulent, both for the veteran community and all Australians. The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has shone a spotlight on the wide range of issues affecting veteran health and wellbeing and the final report from the Commission has been extended into 2024, recognising the significant volume of submissions and need to provide relevant outcomes in a trauma-informed way.

Meanwhile, the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and adverse weather has wreaked havoc on local communities, particularly in regional areas where multiple floods have taken homes and belongings from hundreds of famlies.

During this time, we have continued to support Australian veterans and their families in need. To make it easier for veterans and their families to know where to turn for support and guidance, we have combined RSL DefenceCare and our range of other services for veterans and their families under the one banner – RSL LifeCare Veteran Services.

Between July 2021 and June 2022, RSL LifeCare Veteran Services was able to:

• Provide $825,872 in financial assistance including $485,000 in disaster assistance.
• Assist 177 veterans experiencing homelessness.
• Help 944 veterans to lodge 3106 DVA claims.
• Facilitated 57 veterans or partners receiving employment assistance.
• Make 231 virtual or socially distanced visits to veterans and family members at homes, hospitals or nursing homes.
• Lodge 188 new VRB appeals, complete 276 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mediation discussions and represent 39 full VRB Board Hearings.
• Guided 60 veterans through horse handling and riding courses.

Wellbeing support

Over the last 12 months, we have seen growing demand for our Wellbeing services, including financial assistance, housing support, visits and employment support. In October 2021, operations of our Homes for Heroes program returned wholly to RSL LifeCare Veteran Services.

Natural disasters, including the floods in Lismore have meant a huge demand for our disaster assistance, which rose to $485,000 in funds delivered to veteran families in impacred areas.

In June 2022, we hosted our first Community of Practice, focused on family and domestic violence in the veteran community, bringing together experienced professionals in this area to address these issues.

“Knowing LifeCare were there took away the stress of wondering where I was going to live. It allowed me to heal the complex trauma and get better for my kids.” – Anonymous housing client

DVA claims and appeals

Our professionally trained and accredited claims advisors and advocates continued to support veterans and their families, assisting with claims to DVA that help provide clients with financial security. One of our clients, Lou Cunningham, featured in an RSL NSW Q&A focused on the claims process and how our team was able to assist him.

“Thank you so much. Your staff are professional and your service and support invaluable.” – A grateful client

Veteran Wellbeing Centres

In March 2022, we officially opened the doors to the Riverina Veteran Wellbeing Centre in Wagga Wagga, providing a one-stop shop for veterans in the Riverina region to access services and engage with their local community.

The Nowra Veteran Wellbeing Centre continued to deliver services out of the temporary location on Nowra Lane, and the team are eagerly awaiting the completion of the purpose-built centre on Wallace Street. The Nowra VWC has hosted a number of forums for ex-service organisations in the region throughout the last 12 months and, in June 2022, the team hosted the regions first ever Families and Their Veterans Forum, focused on developing strategies to better support veteran families. The forum was livestreamed, allowing regional, state and international guests to attend and included an address from DVA Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner, Gwen Cherne.

Spur Equine Program

Due to COVID restrictions, the Spur Ranch spent the first few months of the financial year closed to participants. Fortunately, we were able to re-open and have had huge demand for our courses, so much so that we are booked out for the rest of 2022 and the team are putting on additional courses in 2023.

To keep up-to-date with the Spur Program and what the team are up to, please follow our new Facebook page.

Our efforts are proudly supported by funds from RSL NSW and RSL sub-Branches, and the services we provide would not be possible without the generous support of donors.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.