July 2024
Welcome to our latest FWP newsletter.
Thanks for supporting the news updates, and welcome to our July edition. We hope you find it helpful and informative. Please get in touch if you have anything you think would be good to share in future editions.
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Fighting With Pride Updates
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Update from Caroline Paige MBE (Chief Executive) and Ed Hall (Chair)
Welcome to our July Newsletter,
It would be unusual for us to not have a busy month and the past four weeks have been no exception for the whole team, especially in June when Pride Month and Armed Forces Week met. As well as catching up with so many of you in this period, the opportunities to raise awareness through talks, briefs, meetings, conferences, workshops, webinars, prides and other events during Pride Month were incredible, and the number of new veterans and organisations connecting with us demonstrated the value of these important openings.
With June culminating in Pride in London on Armed Forces Day, it seemed to put a spring in our step, as hundreds of serving personnel and 34 veterans, together with MOD personnel, allies and members of the cadet forces, all strode to the tunes of the Band of the RAF Regiment. In the evening we were hosted so well again at the Phoenix Arts Club for a night of cabaret, and only weeks before, fellow veteran and owner of the PAC, Ken Wright, had so deservedly won the Business Leader of the Year Award (SME) at the British Ex-Forces in Business Awards. The welcome provided by the PAC team is second to none and if you are ever looking for an evening of wonderful entertainment in London, do pay a visit.
Message from Ed (Chair of FWP). “It’s been a very busy first few months as your new chair, and I am pleased to say that I’m beginning to get my feet under the table! I was honoured to host my first FWP event as host and speaker, which was the launch of the Review and Directory 2024. This is an amazing publication, with contact details of over 200 PiVS organisations: these are places that LGBT+ veterans can be confident they will find a helpful and friendly welcome, and include a wide range of help and support services. Please see the following newsletter article for more details, including on downloading a copy.
The publication also contains 25 personal stories from veterans, and we are making sure that one gets into the hands of every MP as we press forward with the campaign on reparations. We are all of the view that the recommendation for a reparations fund of £50M is not enough, but we have some challenges to overcome to improve on that. The first is that the government has changed right in the middle of the process, the second is that there are now lots of MPs with no experience of knowledge of the issues, and finally, the pressure we all feel to reach a conclusion where those of us who were dismissed and suffered as a consequence receive an equitable settlement.
As I said in our last Town Hall, it is my understanding from conversations with many lawyers over the last 25 years, that the time for bringing legal cases related to dismissals has long gone. I also said that if anyone has a legal representative who feels differently, please bring them to the table! Of course, that situation doesn’t apply to any criminal cases, which can be reported through legal recourse at any time.
What we need more than anything now is for veterans to lobby for a better settlement. This isn’t formal legal compensation, it is a political decision to try to address an historic wrong, and it will only be political pressure that changes this. We need to sing with one voice, and try to avoid division and confusion in our aims. Any sense of an LGBT+ veterans’ community divided will enable those in government looking at the independent recommendation of £50M to leave it there, unchanged.
FWP is lobbying hard to change this. We have succeeded in getting many other veterans organisations to support that goal, including Help For Heroes and the RBL. What we need is for everyone who feels able to, to get in touch with their MP, or ministers, and tell their story and make the case that £50M is not enough. We can’t do that on our own (although Craig is writing to all 650 MPs this week enclosing a Review and Directory), we need to do it together.
I know there has been some frustration about the confidential nature of some of the work Craig and the team do, but the reality is that negotiating with ministers and civil servants doesn’t succeed if they know the content of meetings is shared publicly. That’s true for all lobbying, and if you want your team to get access to the right people and lobby the right ears, sometimes they have to be able to do that quietly: it was no different in the 1990s, or for other campaigns like the Age of Consent. Much of the amazing work done back then by Duncan and Patrick and Robert and Elaine and many others was done quietly, in the background.
Finally, I hope lots of you will consider coming to Blackpool in September, I’d love to meet you, and you can question me in person about all of this as much as you like! Ed”
As mentioned, as we go to press with this newsletter, 650 letters are arriving into the post boxes of all members of the UK Parliament, over half of which are new to Parliament. We need them all to know what happened during the years of the ban and of the enduring impact. Over the summer Craig and the team will be pushing into the diaries of MPs and Ministers across the UK to win their support. The majority of our veterans have new MPs, so please if you can, write to them or ask to see them. You can mention us and our letter to them, which is being sent with a copy of the Fighting With Pride Review and Directory 2024.
Sometimes in a campaign it can feel like resolution is never quite on the horizon. We can tell you that the Ministry of Defence is working hard to put in place mechanisms to assess claims and make payments - we expect them to announce this soon. We also know that they are working to open the scheme in 2024. We welcome this, but your MPs and Ministers must know why £50M is totally unacceptable. Funding for Financial Reparations Payments must bring a sense of justice and the comfort and security in later life that is enshrined in the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant.
In the coming weeks FWP will launch Operation Crescendo, a range of actions to help our message win through. We will seek your help and the help of our supporters. Stick together as we work to push this over the line and when asked to do so, if you can, please 'grab a pitchfork and a bin lid'! Even if your MP has given you a deaf ear in the past, please give it a go, and there’s nothing wrong with asking to meet your MP with others.
If you have ideas, or connections or want help with a letter, or support with a meeting with an MP please contact: craig.jones@fightingwithpride.org.uk
At the start of July, we were delighted to welcome Ellie Howell (they/them) on board as our newest team member. Ellie is the Veterans Community Worker (VCW) for the SW of England region, funded by Invictus Games Foundation through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. They have already been really busy catching up with veterans and organisations in the SW, you can read about some of that in the regional reports section, and Ellie’s bio is available on our website. Sadly, as Ellie joins us, we say farewell to Gemma, our VCW for the Midlands. Gemma has been a brilliant asset to the FWP family and we know many of you will miss her as much as we will. She’s not going too far away though as she is stepping into the role of Programme Manager for the new Midlands Veterans Places, Pathways and People Portfolio. Gem, we wish you and family every success in the future, and add our huge thanks for your outstanding contribution to the work of FWP, and beyond, including Op Sterling, and where you have made such an incredibly positive difference to so many lives. Thank you!
We still have plenty of Prides coming up over the summer, so please do check out our regional briefs in this newsletter for where you can see us, and if we don’t see you at Pride, we hope to see you in Blackpool, or at Remembrance.
With best wishes,
Caroline and Ed
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The Fighting With Pride Review & Directory 2024 Launched
On 15th July we launched the print and digital editions of our Review and Directory 2024 publication. Partnered with The Veteran UK, and hosted by one of our most recent Pride in Veterans Standard (PiVS) signatories, AtkinsRéalis, the event was attended by 60 representatives of the armed forces and partner organisations, and a few newly appointed MPs.
The Review element of the book aims to raise awareness of the history of the ban and the campaign to lift it, including 25 short accounts of veterans it impacted, a short history of FWP, and an introduction to our community team. It also includes forewords from our Patron, Sir Andrew Gregory, the 3 Defence Chiefs (First Sea Lord, Chief of the General Staff and Chief of the Air Staff) and Director Kate Davies CBE of NHS England. The Directory element of the book, introduces the Pride in Veterans Standard and lists all 208 organisations that had signed up to PiVS before the book went to print. We have since risen to 213 members and this is growing steadily. The latest list of PiVS signatories can be found on our website.
The Review and Directory is accessible as a 148 page-turning digital copy on our website at fwp-review-directory/ Or a free pdf copy can also be downloaded through a link to our publication partners at The Veteran.UK (see links below). Printed copy can also be purchased online at The Veteran UK, website shop.
A limited number of printed copies have been shared with FWP’s team members for displaying on our Pride stands or raising awareness at other events, so if you see them please do ask if they might have any available.
Download the guide here
Read via a online web-based reader here
If you have any questions or enquiries regarding the Directory, please get in touch with info@fightingwithpride.org.uk
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Catch up on the last Veterans Townhall
Thanks to all those who joined us for our June Townhall on 11th June, It was great to have so many of you join us.
If you couldn't join us or would like to review what was discussed, you can view a summary of the meeting HERE.
We run these sessions regularly, so we hope you can join next time. Watch our newsletter updates, times, and links to register.
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National Ceremonies of Remembrance 2024
It's that time of year again where we ask you to register your interest for our Remembrance Events in London for 2024!
This year’s Remembrance weekend falls on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November.
If you are interested in attending some or all of our Remembrance events in London this year, including the Festival of Remembrance, The Cenotaph March Past and/or the Post-Ceremony Reception, please fill in the online form linked below, no later than 1700hrs on Friday 2nd August 2024.
Please note that this form is only a registration of your interest, we won’t have confirmation of FWP’s allocated numbers until later in the formal registration and allocation process, so registration of interest could exceed final allocation. Filling out this form, therefore, is not confirmation of a place at any of the events.
We are also awaiting confirmation on whether FWP will be lucky enough to receive places at this year’s Festival of Remembrance, at The Royal Albert Hall. However, we are giving it as an option to attend so we can gauge interest. This will allow us to bid for the best possible number of tickets, though we won’t again be able to guarantee numbers and confirm places until the availability is confirmed, and our bid is accepted. We will confirm places as soon as we can.
Please note, these prove to be very popular events to attend, so early Registration of Interest is highly recommended.
If you have any questions about the weekend, please don't hesitate to email via alex.meyrick@fightingwithpride.org.uk.
Thank you!
Register Interest here: https://wkf.ms/3LfWcYH
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FWP 25th Anniversary of ECHR Judgement - Blackpool - Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd September 2024
Join FWP in Blackpool this September to mark and celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the landmark European Court of Human Rights Judgement of September 1999.
A series of events will be taking place in Blackpool over the weekend of 20th to 22nd September 2024, with our main event taking place on Saturday 21st.
Please see the poster for initial details and use the link below to register your interest. More details will be following in due course.
Please note: If you are looking to stay in Blackpool for this event, we advise reserving your accommodation early, as this is part of Blackpool’s busy tourist season.
The LGBTQ+ Village Quarter in Blackpool offers a choice of hotels, guest houses and B&Bs to suit everyone's taste and budget.
The Blackpool Accommodation Group (BAGS) provides detail of LGBT+ friendly Guest Houses. Remember to quote BAGS at the time of booking to negotiate a discount.
A free BAGS Discount card is also available in all BAGS registered accommodation.
www.bagsblackpool.com
Register your interest for the Blackpool event HERE
Please contact John Beckett with enquiries. john.beckett@fightingwithpride.org.uk
We look forward to seeing you there!
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LGBT+ Armed Forces Memorial
Please keep an eye on our bulletins and social media for news on upcoming consultation events and their regional locations, so we can get your views. As our ideas develop, we will consult with smaller groups of interested veterans, so if this memorial is particularly important to you, please contact the Memorial Officer, at memorial@fightingwithpride.org.uk and we will ensure you are included.
We will also update everyone on engagement activity via our news updates and in our next Town Hall.
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FWP 25 Book - Gathering In The Chapters!
There has been a fantastic response from budding authors in the LGBT+ veterans community wishing to make contributions to 'Serving With Pride', which Craig is editing.
The book will be published for the 25th anniversary of the lifting of the ban in January 2025 and will include many more stories chronicling the history of the ban and its impact upon the lives of our community. The deadline for submissions has now closed.
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Latest organisations to join our Pride in Veterans Standard
We welcome the latest organisations to join our Pride in Veterans Standard
Waitrose & Partners Southsea
City of Doncaster Council
Forces in Mind Trust
VA Clean Ltd
Pinnacle Service Families
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Bang Tidy Property Management Services Ltd
RBLI Lifeworks
Age Cymru Dyfed
All are committed to warmly welcoming LGBT+ Veterans who access their services/support.
You can find a full list of PiVS Organisations here.
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Female Veterans' Transformation Programme wants to work with you.
Heads up! We have launched our consultation & co-production phase and want to tell you what it is all about.
Over the last few years lots of work and academic research has been conducted on the challenges female veterans face as a result of their time in the Armed Forces. However, we recognise that we need to now use this research as a basis to take action and make improvements so women get the right support at the right time and in a way that matters to them.
Our new website is a one stop shop for finding out about our programme and how you can get involved (www.fvtp.org.uk) including signing up to our newsletter.
We pulled together the key themes of the research in an Evidence Review and Statement of Need, available on the website, but now want to hear from you to help us codesign a toolkit to support service improvement across the sector
• What are the solutions
• How do we improve things
• What is currently working well
• What needs to change and how does it need to change
You are the experts, and we need to hear your views and opinions.
We also need to make sure that these improvements are across ALL services, not just veteran specific organisations. How do we raise awareness and educate professionals such as GP’s, social services, hospital staff, leisure services, employers etc. But this isn’t about focusing on what’s wrong, we also want to celebrate what is currently working well and where good practice exists. How can we share this and demonstrate how to do things well.
We know that you have probably been asked for your opinions and views A LOT and may feel like there is ‘no point’ or ‘no-one ever listens’, so we are committed to letting you know what we did with your feedback. We will produce a ‘you said…..we did’ response to the co-production which will eventually be available on our website for you to see and to check we listened.
This co-production will take place in 3 stages. Firstly, we are asking as many female veterans as possible and services that support them to complete our online questionnaire (fvtp.org.uk/get-involved).
Once we have these back, we will then pull together the key themes and take these to a series of focus groups that we plan to hold from June onwards, both online and face to face, across the UK. The focus groups will help us create the main sections and criteria of the toolkit – setting out the self-assessment section which identifies ‘what you need to do to provide good services for female veterans’. You can sign up to register your interest in taking part in a focus group on the website too (fvtp.org.uk/get-involved).
Recognising that we don’t have the capacity to meet with everyone (and that many of you have already given your time to contribute to focus groups elsewhere), we will also be incorporating input from the reports of focus groups already conducted by other organisations and asking those running focus groups over the next few months to ask questions on our behalf.
If you have a recent focus group report about the experiences of female veterans then please send it our way.
If you are running focus groups or having an informal gathering of female veterans for a coffee and you might be able to incorporate our questions, we have set up a facilitator’s pack (fvtp.org.uk/get-involved) which will guide you through different ways in which you could do this.
It is great to be working collaboratively with so many other networks and organisations including the Female Veterans Alliance; WRAC Association; Salute Her; The V Word; Association of WRNS; WAAF/WRAF/RAF(W) Assn; RAF Association; NHS Op Courage; the Defence Garden Scheme and many more. We are looking forward to making many new connections too so please get in touch.
Beyond the focus groups we will move into the third phase of the overall transformation programme by testing and changing the toolkit based on feedback from women veterans and those that support them, with the final version being available in the last stage of the project.
Your opinion matters so any information you can provide will go a long way to helping other female veterans in the future.
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FWP Reparations Resources Webpage
Keep up to date with all that is happening with the LGBT+ Veterans Independent Review and Reparations, as we pull all the information together via the FWP Reparations webpage HERE
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NHS OP Services
There are several Op services available to veterans and serving personnel now, as well as Op names now commonly being used by Veterans organisations for local projects and national projects such as Age UK-FWP's Op STERLING (see separate information below). To help understand what NHS England services are available under the Op banner, we have grouped them below with a brief description of what each entails and how they can be accessed. Op COURAGE permits self-referrals, but FWP can support you with this should you wish.
Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
Op COURAGE provides a broad range of specialist mental health and wellbeing care and support for Service leavers, reservists, veterans and their families. The mental health or wellbeing concern does not need to be attributable to the person's time in service.
Individuals can self-refer to their local service or ask a healthcare professional, charity, family member or friend to do this for them.
Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service
Op RESTORE provides care and treatment to those with ongoing, Service-attributable physical injuries and associated problems. Located in 13 major trauma centres (Plymouth, Oxford, London (three centres), Birmingham, Nottingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Cambridge, Brighton and Middlesbrough), with links to four NHS trusts, the network works closely with Defence Medical Services, national centres of clinical expertise, Op COURAGE and military charities, to provide holistic care.
Access to Op RESTORE requires a GP referral by emailing imperial.oprestore@nhs.net.
Op NOVA: Supporting Veterans in the Justice System
Op NOVA provides one-to-one non-clinical support to veterans who are at risk of being arrested or already have been, are due to leave prison or have been released from prison. Veterans accessing the service have access to a range of practical and emotional help, along with being supported by an expert case worker.
Forces Employment Charity has been commissioned to provide this service by NHS England. More information can be found at www.forcesemploymentcharity.org.uk/opnova
Op COMMUNITY: Armed Forces Community Support
Op COMMUNITY is an NHS England-funded pilot being delivered by seven NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). Op COMMUNITY is providing care navigation and signposting to the wider Armed Forces community with a specific focus on Serving families. NHS England is supporting ICBs to communicate their referral pathways locally at this time.
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OP Sterling
The Op Sterling service with Age UK has now identified £84,267.56 in previously unclaimed financial entitlements. The team can also advise on wide range of topics from housing to care funding so please get in touch if you’d like an appointment. Click here for a referral to Op Sterling
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Thanks to Jean and Jo for raising funds for FWP
Jean & Jo are took part in 'The Selkie Swim', which was a 2.1km swim upstream on the Henley Royal Regatta course starting at Dawn. Well done to Jo who completed the swim in 1hr 39mins 28secs, Jean will be doing her swimi in her local pool shortly.
https://henleyswim.com/events/henley-classic/
Jean and Jo joined the Women's Royal Army Corp in 1977 and were both affected by the ban on LGBT+ personnel serving during the Gay Ban.
They are both great supporters of FWP and we thank them for their fund raising efforts.
They have raised over £700 so far and you can still donate on their JustGiving page here
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National Updates, Events and Activities
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Apply For Your Armed Forces Veterans Card
The HM Armed Forces Veteran Card is a way to prove that you served in the UK armed forces. The card can make it quicker and easier to apply for support as a veteran.
It’s free to apply.
You can currently only apply for a Veteran Card if you have a UK address. Veterans without a UK address will be able to apply later this year.
Apply via the Gov.UK website here
If you require any support or advice in applying, please reach out to your local FWP Veteran Community Worker
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We have had a great response from RAF veterans to The Royal Air Force Museum's (RAFM) call for stories. RAFM is looking to mark the 25th anniversary of the removal of the "gay ban" by capturing the stories of those impacted.
To do this they are looking for former RAF service personnel who would be happy to share their story in a filmed interview either in person at the RAF Museum (Midlands or London), or online via Zoom.
If you haven't already registered interest and would like to provide your story, please do get in touch.
There are some great examples here https://www.rafstories.org/
To participate or to find out more, contact us through our website using the subject line 'RAF Stories'. Get in Touch
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Regional Updates, Events and Activities
The following events are provided by regional partners and are funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT) unless indicated otherwise. Enquiries should be made to the event organisers directly where possible, but FWP will also help connect should you wish.
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Update from Anthony, FWP South East VCW
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South East Activities Calendar
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FWP VIP Day with WetWheels Solent - 23rd August
FWP VIP day out will include 2 hours onboard WetWheels Solent boat at sea followed by lunch in Gunwharf. Portsmouth Councillor Chris Attwell will also attend as the event is funded by the Portsmouth City Council Community Inclusion Grant. The boat can also accommodate wheelchair passengers. Eight places are available. Attendees will need to make their way to Portsmouth Gunwharf Quay marina for 10:15am. The boat will depart at 11am and return at 1pm. All will get a chance to drive the boat, which is equipped with two large Suzuki outboard engines. Lunch will be provided in Gunwharf
To book a place, please email Anthony: anthony.knight@fightingwithpride.org.uk by Friday 16th August
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FWP Visit to National Museum of the Royal Navy Portsmouth for VIP viewing of the Terrence Higgins Memorial Quilt
FWP have been invited for a VIP visit to the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) in Portsmouth to view the Terrence Higgins Memorial Quilt on Monday 2nd September from 10:30am to 12 noon. The visit will be followed by a fish and chips lunch. Places for six have been allocated. The tour will be led by Joanna Valentine from the NMRN Portsmouth.
To book a place, please email Anthony: anthony.knight@fightingwithpride.org.uk by Monday 26th August
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Portsmouth Pride 2024
Thanks to all those veterans who helped with the FWP stall, or just popped over and said hello, during Portsmouth Pride, It was a brilliant day. We were also pleased to be joined on our stand by Waitrose Southsea, VOS and Op Courage, it was nice to share a stall together and build on our already strong relationships with them..
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Next monthly drop-in in dates Portsmouth:
Veteran Outreach Support: The next VOS monthly drop-in afternoon is Wedensday 7th August 2024. FWP is a service delivery partner to VOS and Drop-In takes place on the first Wednesday of every month from 2 – 5pm in the Royal Maritime Club, Queen Street, Portsmouth. Full details about the VOS Social Groups can be found on their website: Wellbeing | Veterans Outreach Support (VOS) (vosuk.org)
Age UK Portsmouth: Anthony will attend the Veteran's Breakfast Club at Age UK's Cafe on Friday 23rd August at the Bradbury Centre, 16-18, Kingston Road, Portsmouth PO1 5RZ. The breakfast event is from 10am - 12 noon and costs £5 for a breakfast sandwich or £6 for a full English. Both include a hot drink and free top-ups. To book, please ring 02392 862121. Come along and chat; it will be a good opportunity to learn about the FWP and Age UK partnership and OP Sterling support. Op Sterling details can be found here: Operation Sterling: Supporting older LGBT+ veterans | Age UK
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Next monthly drop-in dates Petersfield:
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Armed forces veterans and serving servicemen and women are invited to enjoy tea, coffee and cake at the Armed Forces Drop-In Centre at Winton House in Petersfield High Street. The next meeting is on 1st August : 4 – 8pm. Anthony will attend this drop-in.
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Next monthly drop-in dates Gosport:
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Update from Ellie, FWP South West VCW
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Hello! My name is Ellie (they/them) and I am the new Veterans Community Worker for the South West. I am really looking forward to connecting with you all, and I'm excited to help create a welcoming community for all LGBT+ veterans across the South West.
I will be attending the following drop ins, hubs and groups throughout August:
Monday 5th August - LGBT+ Veterans Group at the Elm Centre (Plymouth) 10am – 12pm. We will be joined by the Four Greens LGBT+ Community Builder Colin and Veterans Outreach Co-ordinator Glenn.
Thursday 15th August - Armed Forces Hub Veterans Drop in at the Gordon Messenger Centre (Lympstone, near Exmouth) 10am — 1pm
Tuesday 13th August - Help for Heroes hub at Bodmin Town Hall (Bodmin) 10am — 1pm
If you are thinking of joining for any of the above, do drop an email my way. Please come and say hello if you are attending any of these drop ins, it would be great to meet you.
Defence Garden Scheme with the Eden Project
The Eden Project in St. Austell holds a ten week gardening programme for veterans focused on horticulture and wellbeing in small groups of eight (more information here: https://defencegardens.org/spring-and-autumn-programmes-2024).
‘Even if gardening is not your thing. It gives you time to work out what your thing is’
— Veteran 201
I will be attending the taster day on Wednesday 4th September at the Eden Project. If you are interested in the programme or attending the taster day, please send me an email. The autumn programme for 2024 runs from 18th September — 13th November. LGBT+ veterans are warmly welcomed to join.
Mission Motorsport Events in August
Mission Motorsport have a range of racing events on throughout August. For more details please visit this link and scroll down to the bottom: https://www.missionmotorsport.org/news/2024/7/1/june-newsletter
For those of you attending Pride events this summer, have a wonderful time.
For further information or to connect you can reach me at: ellie.howell@fightingwithpride.org.uk
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Update from Kate, FWP North East VCW
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North East Social Group
FWP LGBT+ Social Group North East
Calling all LGBT+ Veterans and serving personnel in the North East, Cumbria and Yorkshire.
WHAT: We have started our monthly social meet-up group to bring together all LGBT+ Veterans in a safe, supportive, and like-minded place where we can socialise, have a chat, and have a general get-together. Sandwiches will be provided (you must purchase your drinks).
WHY: It’s hard to find an inclusive gathering that fits all our needs in one place but is also understanding and accepting of our experiences, so having a monthly meet-up will do just that.
WHERE: BOBBYS BAR, 78 Scotswood Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7JH
(Handy for parking, buses and Metro & Trains at Central Station)
Bobby’s Newcastle - Gay Friendly, Pub, Newcastle (bobbysnewcastle.com)
Next Dates: TBC please contact kate.husband@figntingwithpride.org.uk for more details
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Yorkshire and Humberside Social Group/Drop-in
Calling all LGBT+ Veterans and serving personnel in Yorkshire/Humberside and surrounding areas.
WHAT: We are going to continue trialling a social group/drop-in to bring together all LGBT+ Veterans in a safe, supportive and like-minded place where we can socialise, have a chat, and a general get-together. This will be organised and run by Kate Husband the VCW for this region. We have been running one in Newcastle for a few months which is proving very popular.
WHY: It’s hard to find an inclusive gathering that fits all our needs in one place but is also understanding and accepting of our experiences.
OUR First Go: We are a small but growing gathering with initially 1:1s being popular. We will be looking at alternative locations and venues as we know this will take time to get going properly.
NEXT DATES: tbc
CONTACT: If you are interested in joining us either in the group social or you would like a 1:1 meet up, please contact Kate Husband and let her know your preferences: kate.husband@fightingwithpride.org.uk
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Mission Sport Forces Family Track Day - 20th August
This event will be taking place at Croft Circuit, Darlington DL2 2PL, from 8am to 5pm on the 20th August.
Please contact John Beckett if you are interested in attending this event. john.beckett@fightingwithpride.org.uk
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UK Pride Doncaster Saturday 10th August 2024
Fighting with Pride will be marching in the Parade of Unity at UK Pride Doncaster on 10th August 2024. Please email John, and Cc Kate, if you are interested in joining us in Doncaster please email
john.beckett@fightingwithpride.org.uk
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Update from Ruth, FWP Operations Manager Cymru/Wales
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Shwmae/ Hello.
I have sent out surveys from the Wales V4P (Veterans Places Pathways and People Programme). Thank you to those of you that completed it. By taking part you are playing a crucial role in shaping future services and enhancing support for Veterans across Wales. There is a link for the Female Veterans Research which I have recently completed. I would encourage you to help with this research and the information and link is near the bottom of my newsletter.
I attended a Combat Stress Webinar Military Mind Symposium 2024 which looked at igniting innovation, inspiring hope and fostering collaboration. FWP was commended about the specialist work completed for LGBT+ Veterans, serving personnel; and their families. I heard first hand from clinical colleagues at Combat Stress and external partners about the latest developments in the treatment and care of Veterans with complex mental health issues.
Celebrating Armed Forces Day and Pride month I gave a presentation about FWP and the reparations to Betsi Cadwaladr NHS University Health Board staff. I also gave a presentation with Carl Austin-Behan to the Welsh Government LGBTQ+ group PRISM which has led to further networking opportunities within the Welsh Government. The Pembrokeshire Armed Forces Forum were updated on the work been completed and were especially interested in the second edition of the FWPbook as they were keen to get it in all their libraries.
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Cardiff Pride 2024
Pride Cymru did not disappoint and FWP was there in force. I do have to say that apart from baby Tyler who gripped tight to the banner, it was an all-female line up. Thanks to Claire and Jo who travelled from the Midlands to be with us and our wonderful Welsh FWP Veterans and allies that made the day so enjoyable. Comments back were “Today was fab, thoroughly enjoyed it.” “Thank you for an amazing pride. Really enjoyed it”. Come and join us next year for Swansea, Cardiff and Newport Prides.
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HMP & YOI Parc - Pride in the Parc
I was invited back by Chris Roberts the EDI Manager and RAF LGBT+ Veteran to deliver a presentation to over 80 prisoners about FWP. It went extremely well and I was joined by Rev’d Sarah who discussed her own transgender journey and the interpretation of the bible. PRISM the Welsh Government LGBTQ team were also there to talk about their work and the Welsh Government LGBTQ Action plan which I have been contributing to on behalf of LGBT+ VETERANS serving personnel and their families. An excellent afternoon was had by all celebrating Pride Month.
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Wales Armed Forces Day and Swansea Air Show
We had a stall in the ‘Armed Forces Covenant’ marquee for two days and were joined by many fabulous organisations including ‘Change Step’, ‘Woody’s Lodge’ ‘Swansea Veterans Hub’, ‘Armed Forces Bikers’, ‘Probation Service’, ‘SSCE Cymru’ and ‘Forces Employment charity’. Thanks to the RBL for providing wonderful cup cakes and the support that they always give FWP. We met some wonderful people and found two new LGBT+ Veterans to welcome into the FWP family.
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RNLI 200 Service
I met up with Peter Vaughan QPM CStJ, HM Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan at a RNLI 200th Anniversary service at my local station. He is keen to support FWP.
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'Served and Proud' - Veterans Socialising and Support Group LGBTQ+
Information for the LGBT+ Veteran Hubs are on my website page on the FWP website. Please ring the phone numbers to check that the meetings are going ahead. We are looking at having a meal together in different places once a month. Once this has been confirmed I will update you. Please let me know if you are interested in attending.
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We would like to speak to women veterans, who have previously served in the UK Armed Forces as a full-time regular and have a current physical health condition, illness, or injury that significantly impacts their life. This does not need to be service-related, or attributable. You will be provided with a £15 Amazon voucher following a 1:1 online interview, as a thank you for your time. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact us at: female.veterans@aru.ac.uk
Centre for Military Women’s Research: Research & Collaboration (centreformilitarywomensresearch.com)
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The LGBTQ+ Action plan bulletin aims to inform those who are interested in the implementation of the LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales and wider LGBTQ+ work that is occurring in Wales. The link to the latest bulletin is below
LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales: progress update | GOV.WALES
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The Newly Launched ‘Glascoed Hwb’ in Monmouth who will shortly be signing the ‘Armed Forces Covenant’. For further information please see the link below.
HWB – The Glascoed
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Hwyl am y tro / Bye for now.
Dymuniadau gorau / Best wishes.
Ruth
Ruth.birch@fightingwithpride.org.uk
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Update from Gemma, FWP Midlands VCW
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Sadly, this will be my final newsletter update as I will be leaving my role with Fighting With Pride on the 1st of August. It has been an incredibly rewarding role and I have been privileged to meet so many wonderful people over the last couple of years. I’ve also had the absolute pleasure of working alongside an amazing, dedicated and supportive team. It has been an honour to work with such an inspiring and resilient community.
For those of you waiting for restorative measures – I will be paying close attention to any updates from FWP and the Government. I admire each and every one of you for the courage you have shown through this process. I truly hope that you quickly receive the recompense that you so richly deserve.
I will of course, continue to be your biggest advocate in my new role.
Warmest wishes, Gemma
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Regional Activities
I want to say a huge thank you to those of you who took part in the many VPPP focus groups across the Midlands. Your voice will help make positive change to regional support.
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Last month was a busy one! As well as supporting focus groups, there were lots of Pride and Armed Forces week events with organisations such as the George Elliot NHS Trust, Derbyshire Health Care NHS Trust and the National Grid. I also attended a fantastic Armed Forces Conference held by Jaguar Landrover which highlighted their outstanding commitment to the Armed Forces community, including their engagement with Fighting With Pride.
Calling all Wolverhampton Veterans and Family Members
As part of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) City of Wolverhampton Council have launched surveys to capture the experiences and understand the needs of the Armed Forces Community in Wolverhampton. Your input is invaluable in helping us support you better. Please only complete if you reside in Wolverhampton.
Personnel/Veterans (Click here for the Personnel/Veterans survey):
Family Members (Click here for the Family Members):
Shropshire Outreach
Please note that all sessions are suspended for July. Future details can be found here
Op Courage Midlands
The brilliant team at Op Courage Midlands are completing the Bala Triathlon to fundraise for the equally brilliant Tom Harrison House, who provide support for veterans and their families to move from addiction in to recovery. Good luck to the ‘Op Tri’ team! Just Giving Page.
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Update from Dougie, FWP Operations Manager - Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland
June has gone and July is rapidly disappearing. The new VPPP (Veterans Places Pathways and People) is moving forward and I recently attended an update meeting with the Scottish Veterans Wellbeing Alliance at Napier University. The consultation phase is nearing its end now and we are looking forward to seeing how the delivery phase develops (see below).
Can you please keep checking the regional section for any new events especially as we are now in pride season.
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VPPP Scotland: Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
The project lead Dr Linda Irvine Fitzpatrick commented that, ‘As a modern alliance we have a clear message both to our beneficiaries and our project partners, you don’t have to do everything, we are greater than the sum of our parts and working collaboratively is efficient, informative and puts the needs of beneficiaries up front and central.’
She added that, ‘The alliance has already delivered shared knowledge between its members and has an inclusive style, with everybody’s contribution being valued.
Learning from past projects and tapping into the plethora of feedback, the alliance organisations have been able to ‘peek behind the curtain’ of needs, for example, Linda notes that ‘if someone needs support with their mental health there may be other factors that have to be sorted out before we address their mental health needs, it could be support with housing or finances or whatever.
It’s vitally important to make sure that beneficiaries are ready to receive and able to make best use of support offered, it’s the best way of giving people the best chance of success. This is the key to the alliance; each organisation can deliver their specialism. By consolidating some of the learning the vision is that ‘this will be the way we work in the future.
Scotland Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
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Fife Pride 2024
We attended Fife Pride this year in Kirkcaldy, and we shared a stall with Age Scotland which was a huge success. Thousands of people from across Fife descended on Kirkcaldy for the annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identities which featured a march through the centre of the town and a day of entertainment in the Town Square. The vibrant and colourful day, which promoted equality and diversity across the Kingdom, was led by Kirkcaldy Pipe Band. It began on the steps of Fife College’s St Brycedale Campus and made its way down Kirk Wynd and along the High Street to its destination where there was live entertainment and stalls.
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Glasgow Pride 2024
Glasgow Pride took place on Saturday 20th July and this year we were joined by Police Scotland https://www.lgbtipolice.scot/ Army in Scotland LGBT Forum Johanne.Mundie241@mod.gov.uk Greater Glasgow Police Scotland Youth Volunteers Police Scotland Youth Volunteers | Volunteer Glasgow Veterans Housing Scotland Building Lives • Building Communities - Veterans Housing Scotland (vhscot.org.uk) and of course our wonderful veterans. The weather was kind to us for the march and everyone had a great time. Some of the quotes from the veterans to me: “ I’m already looking forward to pride 2025 and thanks for organising such a great positive day” “ Brilliant day at Glasgow Pride and cannot wait to get involved with Fighting With pride” “ Thank you for today it was a great Pride”
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Age Scotland provide information, advice and friendship, support older people’s groups, promote age and dementia friendly workplaces and communities, deliver health and wellbeing programmes, and campaign on the issues that older people tell us are important.
Unforgotten Forces | Age Scotland
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Paul Wison (Veteran supported by FWP)
Paul Wilson joined the Army band aged 15 - unaware then of his sexuality. His career was brought to an abrupt end when officers found out he was gay.
He was subsequently arrested, held in the jail at Edinburgh Castle and later dismissed from service.
Please open on the link below to listen to a powerful story from Paul.
'I was arrested at Edinburgh Castle for being gay in the Army' - BBC News
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Regional Pride Events
I can confirm that we will be at the Pride events listed below this year. If anyone wants to get involved and join me at any of these Prides, let me know. If you are there on the day, please say hello!
Belfast Pride, Saturday 27th of July 2024 – Marching only come and join us
Perthshire Pride, Saturday 10th of August 2024 – Marching only come and join us
Oban Pride Saturday 31st August 2024 – Marching and a stall come along and say hello.
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Northern Ireland
My next visit to NI dates will be out soon but I will be attending Belfast pride, so please join me.
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Belfast Pride 27th July 2024
The parade is on Saturday, July 27th, at 1 p.m., with the parade build-up starting at 11 a.m. Belfast Pride is the biggest event of the year for the LGBTQIA+ people of Belfast. It is back for 2024 and hopes to have the biggest parade since it was founded in 1991. Below, you will find all the information you need about taking part in the Belfast Pride Festival and Parade.
The Belfast Pride Parade is the main event in the LGBTQIA+ calendar, a major city event, and the biggest cross-community parade in Belfast. It is a protest and a celebration, a call for equality, a stand for solidarity, and a celebration of the lives of LGBTQIA+ people in Belfast and beyond.
The theme for Belfast Pride 2024 is Love Your Mind. For over 50 years the international pride movement has fought to increase visibility, awareness and support for LGBTQIA+ people while challenging hatred and intolerance in all its guises.
Belfast Pride webpage
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Update from Alex, FWP London Area VCW
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Hi everyone,
The end of last month, finishing with Pride in London, and the start of this month have been incredibly busy!
It was wonderful to see so many of you at Pride in London – it was a fantastic day marching alongside Defence proudly. A huge thank you to those of you who came along (Our biggest cohort yet!), and another massive thank you both to the Teams across the tri-service LGBT+ Networks and MoD for all your effort, help and support to put together such a successful day once again. We managed to get down the parade route in record time, and met up again at the incredible Phoenix Arts Club for their famous Pride Cabaret. Thanks must also go to Ken, Colin and their fabulous team at the club for making us feel so welcome.
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I also had a fantastic time at the annual Armed Forces’ Week event on Reserves Day at Guys & St Thomas’ Hospital – this year we were joined by the band of the Welsh Guards and lots of incredible charities and support organisations, alongside plenty of Serving Personnel who were as keen as ever to hear about and support the work that FWP do. It was possibly one of the hottest days I have ever experienced working in London, but it was a great success and I am looking forward to next year already!
The final week of Pride Month also saw the wonderful Dave Moreton’s funeral, which I was proud to attend on behalf of the FWP community in North London. It was a very sad occasion, but his family and friends did him very proud with a fabulously ‘Dave’ service. I hope that those of you who wanted to were able to join online. Dave was present at so many of our events and activities and is sorely missed, but he is in our memories and I'm sure as we do more in the future, we will always keep the wonderful Dave in our thoughts.
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This month saw the very first Women’s Veterans & Families drop-in in Lambeth in London – organised by the fantastic LCpl Mandy Maycock. It was a great event which is continuing alongside the normal Guys & St Thomas’ Drop In every third Tuesday of the month, and offers an opportunity for women to come along to a safe space to chat about anything at all. Mandy and her team are offering free health checks as well, which I think is a great opportunity to chat through anything that may be playing on your mind. It was incredibly well attended, Mandy made some really delicious food, and they are incredibly supportive of the work FWP does. I’d be delighted to see some you come along! If you have any questions at all, please do email me.
As you will have seen, registrations of interest for November’s Remembrance events are now open. If you are thinking of coming along this year, I would encourage you to fill out the form sooner rather than later, as places are limited and we have had a lot of interest. Please remember that filling out the form does not guarantee you a place as we are still awaiting confirmation ourselves for attendance and numbers, but this process allows us to best gauge interest. If you have any queries or questions regarding this year’s events, please feel free to email me!
Please have a good read through the drop-ins and events below – particularly the wonderful Veterans’ Summer Picnic at Royal Hospital Chelsea – if you’d like to come along to that one, please do let me know and I’ll get you booked on as places are limited.
Have a great month ahead,
Alex
Alex.meyrick@fightingwithpride.org.uk
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London Drop-ins
Goals Wimbledon & First Light Trust Drop In – Every other Tuesday 1030-1200 (next dates 30th July and 6th August)
This is the newest drop-in in London, hosted by Goals – a 5-a-side football facility in Wimbledon and First Light Trust, which offers support to Armed Forces Veterans and those who worked in Blue Light Services. This is a very casual coffee morning where you can get expert advice should you need it, or if you fancy, you can join one of the new football teams being set up in the future! I will be there at the first one, so do come in and say hello.
Goals Wimbledon
7 Beverley Way
London
SW20 0UJ
Closest Station: Raynes Park, then bus 152/K5 to Raynes Park High School
Parking Available
Royal Hospital Chelsea Veterans’ Summer Picnic - Thursday 8th August, 1100-1500
A group of us attended this fantastic event last year and I cannot recommend it highly enough! There were performances from the RHC Choir, tours around the gardens, lawn games and a lovely picnic served. It was a glorious way to spend an afternoon and I would love to see some of FWP there! To RSVP, please either email myself or VeteransOutreach@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk.
Chelsea Gate
Royal Hospital Chelsea
Royal Hospital Road
SW3 4SR
Closest Tube: Sloane Square (10 min walk)
Parking Available
GSTT Armed Forces Drop-In – Every third Tuesday of the month, 1100-1400 (next date 20th August)
This drop-in is run by Guys and St Thomas’ Armed Forces Network, a fantastic network in the trust who work hard to ensure both patients and staff alike who have an Armed Forces connection are well looked after and understood. They do have food and drink on offer at this one, too! It’s a great place to meet other organisations or learn more about what the Armed Forces Networks across the NHS Trusts do. Please check with me to confirm attendance if you do plan on going along to the next and want to come along with me!
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Evelina House London
216 Lambeth Road
London
SE1 7JY
Closest Tube: Waterloo
St Pancras Hospital Drop-In - Every last Thursday of the month, 1700-1900 (Next date 29th August)
I recommend coming along to this well-established Drop-In if you have a specific query that you’d like an answer to or support with, such as housing, a DWP/ finance query, or a question regarding mental or physical health support. It’s a drop-in run by the amazing London OpCourage team, but it’s open to all Veterans. The London OpCourage team are very supportive and has a great LGBT+ lead who you are always welcome to reach out to via me if you are looking for further Mental Health support.
West Wing
St Pancras Hospital
London
NW1 0PE
Closest Tube: Kings’ Cross/Mornington Crescent (10 min walk)
Bromley FC Veterans’ Community Hub - Last Friday of the month, 1100-1300 (next dates 26th July and 30th August)
This drop-in is really new but very well attended and is held at Bromley FC - in their beautiful brand-new cafe. It’s a great place for a bit of a social before the weekend. They provide a really delicious breakfast and have excellent coffee on offer! There is also a wide range of organisations that attend, so if you have anything you’d like support with, this is a great way of getting more info.
Bromley Football Club
Haynes Lane
Bromley
BR2 9EF
Closest Station: Bromley South
Parking Available
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Update from John, FWP North West VCW
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Liverpool Pride 27th July 2024
Fighting with Pride will be marching alongside the Royal British Legion in Liverpool on Saturday 27th July. Please email John if you are interested in joining us in Liverpool. John.Beckett@FightingwithPride.org.uk
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Manchester Pride 23rd - 26th August 2024
Fighting with Pride will be marching in the Manchester Parade alongside the Royal British Legion on Saturday 24th Aug. Please email John if you are interested in joining us in Manchester. John.Beckett@FightingwithPride.org.uk
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Preston Pride 28th September 2024
Fighting with Pride will be marching in the Preston Parade on Saturday 28th September 2024. Please email John if you are interested in joining us in Preston. John.Beckett@FightingwithPride.org.uk
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LGBT Lancashire Social Groups
Manspace is a Lancashire LGBT support group for gay, bisexual and trans men aged 18 and upwards. This group runs twice a month, online and face-to-face.
LGBTQ+ Women and Non-Binary group is a Lancashire LGBT support group for gay, bisexual and trans women aged 18 and upwards. This group runs twice a month online.
The LGBTQ+ Swimming Group offers swimming sessions with free coaching and swimming lessons.
Further details can be found on LancsLGBT.org.uk
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Useful Links and Resources
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Useful Links And Resources
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