Veteran Services Highlights – April 2024 to June 2024

Our Veteran Services team continues to have a positive impact on the veteran community. We are able to offer these free support services to veterans thanks to the contributions and support from our partners, including RSL NSW.  Read on for some of the highlights across our services as our team work every day to support veterans and their families.  

During the last quarter (April 2024 to June 2024), we supported the veteran community by:

• Providing over $71,000 in financial assistance. 
• Assisting 38 veterans experiencing homelessness, and providing 1,150 nights of accommodation. 
• Helping 259 veterans to lodge 799 DVA claims. 
• Referred 27 veterans or partners into our employment program.
• Lodging 58 new VRB appeals, completing 109 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mediation discussions and represented 11 full VRB Hearings. 
•  Guided 57 veterans through 8 horse handling and riding courses and logged 254 hours of volunteer activities at Spur Ranch. 

Housing – A step to safety and security 

Providing safe transitional housing for veterans continues to be a key focus for our team, as homelessness continues to be an issue that plagues veterans. 

From April to June, our team was able to help 38 veterans experiencing homelessness and provided 1,150 nights of stable accommodation.  Providing a safe and welcoming community is a key aspect of our housing support program, as is helping veterans to realise their value in the veteran community and beyond.  We are able to facilitate free clinical psychology support through the Homes for Heroes program, to help veterans rehabilitate well and help them to realise what is important for them to live a positive life – be that reconnecting with family and friends, embarking on a new career or building new skills. We’re pleased to say that one of our clients is pursuing further education, and two veterans are now volunteering their time within the program to help their fellow veterans.  We are truly glad that we can help foster a sense of camaraderie and pride for veterans. 

Our Homes for Heroes team have also been active in the local community, helping to build awareness of the need for this program.   We’ve been turning the snags at a couple of Bunnings Sausage Sizzle Fundraisers, which have been a fantastic way to connect with the community, have fun, and raise funds for the program.  We’d like to extend our thanks to Bunnings at Narrabeen for having us – we’ll definitely be back!

Wellbeing – helping veterans live well

Domestic Violence is an extremely concerning issue which impacts current and former serving ADF members.  The Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) have funded a program to support those who are affected by domestic and family violence.   Led by Monash University, RSL LifeCare Veteran Services will be working in partnership with the university and the Australian Institute of Family Studies on a key project to help strengthen the monitoring of instances of domestic and family violence. With greater access to data and intelligence, together we will be able to develop programs that provide greater support for those affected by domestic and family violence.

To find out more about the research program, please click here.

If you or someone you know is impacted by family or domestic violence, please call 1800 737 732.  To arrange an appointment with one of our Veteran Support Coordinators please contact our Intake Officer on 02 8088 0388 or email [email protected].  

Claims & Advocacy – leading the way 

Our team has been actively participating in a review of the current veterans’ entitlements, compensation and rehabilitation legislation. This reform will have significant impacts on the legislation and it is important our team are well informed and providing feedback from the experiences of our clients.

Spur Ranch – Veterans riding to recovery 

In June, we had a new cohort of avid horse enthusiasts join us on the Muster experience.  This 5-day course was offered to veterans who had completed the earlier riding courses, to ensure they were ready for this next level.

Participants cared for their horses and rode with the cattle to steer them to the right destination. Nights were spent around the campfire sharing stories and connecting. A truly rewarding and memorable experience which the veterans will keep forever.

Read about this fabulous experience and check out more photos here.

Veteran and Family Hubs – More locations, more access 

Our Veteran and Family Hub teams have been busy hosting a range of events and activities which help veterans connect with their community and develop skills to help with their personal wellbeing and growth.

Our Riverina hub celebrated its 2nd birthday and new centre refurbishments, thanks to a generous grant from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Our Shoalhaven and Northern Beaches hubs hosted their Inaugural Wellbeing Open Days, which invited service providers to share their supports with local veterans to improve wellbeing.

Our Hunter Veteran & Family Hub team attended the Newcastle Transition Seminar and Joint Transition Authority Forum, both great ways to help veterans learn more about the free support services they can access from our Veteran Services teams.

Check out our Veteran & Family Hub quarterly highlight for more information.  

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

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

If you’d like to stay up to date on what the team is doing, please subscribe to our regular newsletter updates.