To offer some assistance to Armed Forces veterans within the UK, the Mersey Valley Group have made a sizeable donation of £1,000 to a local charity offering support to military service leavers, veterans and their families. THE BLOCK was chosen due to its geographical catchment area being similar to that of the Mersey Valley Group.
Liverpool Armed Forces and Veteran Support Centre, THE BLOCK Armed Forces Foundation gives physical and practical support to the Armed Forces community. They are dedicated to fostering sustainable development and providing vital support to underserved populations. Their programmes focus on education, health, and social welfare, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to thrive. They collaborate with local partners and volunteers to maximise their outreach and effectiveness. Their team works tirelessly to identify areas of greatest need and tailor their services accordingly, striving to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve. For more information, click here.
Steve McNee, Mersey Valley Group Charity Steward, went on a short visit to their premises which highlighted the excellent work undertaken by Colin Eastaway (CEO) and Colin Bascombe (amongst a small army of capable and willing supporters) in offering a safe refuge to struggling veterans. Struggles that could come from time spent with the military through to how that time has affected their civilian life. Some may be facing substance abuse; some may be homeless while some may just be struggling to lead a normal life fighting the current economic crisis and uncertainty.
THE BLOCK offers veterans an opportunity to ‘offload’ and highlight their difficulties to other veterans who are able to empathise and support them when in need. That support may be help with form filling, making contacts with more established support networks, embarking on re-training, rehousing and job applications. THE BLOCK is there to assist any veteran with empathy and dignity to help the individual integrate into every day society.
Story and pictures by Steve McNee