Veterans’ Gateway
As you may be aware the Veterans Gateway have recently launch their VG App which looks to support service users across the whole of the United Kingdom. If you are a member of an organisation that is not currently listed and wish to be included, you should follow the links below.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Our combined and continued delivery of services under current COVID-19 restrictions has placed a greater reliance on digital and telephone services to ensure that we continue to support the Armed Forces Community (AFC) across Scotland. As you may be aware Poppyscotland is one of the 4 consortium partners (along with SSAFA, Combat Stress and RBL) who deliver the Veterans’ Gateway service that has been in existence since April 2017. We are now in the process of working closely with Patzi Cacchio, the VG Co-ordinator and Dr Matt Kiernan and his team at Northumbria University to broaden awareness of your services and locations and for the Armed Forces Community to access them via the Mobile App that can be downloaded from the Play Store or Apple Store via this link:
Google Play Store Listing: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rview_mobile&hl=en_US
Apple Store Listing: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/Veterans-Gateway-Directory-UK/id1488014248
The App is proving to be invaluable and since its launch in May 2020 the directory has expanded to include approximately 17,000 markers to date across the UK, each representing a service available to veterans or service families. The Consortium remain encouraged by these initial findings, but we think collectively it is possible to increase the breadth and depth of listings in Scotland with your help. There are 2 areas that we would ask you to consider.
The first is to consider being listed on the App, which is a straightforward process, for ease we have attached the Local Support Directory User Guide.
To ensure your service can be listed please complete the attached VFDS template (spreadsheet) and then submitting it to be check for completeness before the details are submitted to Northumbria University to upload to the system.
Secondly if you are listed already may I encourage you to go to https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/local-support/ to ensure that your listing is correct, as your services, focus or contact details may have changed . Again, please use the attached directory template (VFDS) for submitting any amendments and in both cases forward to Danny Renowden d.renowden@poppyscotland.org.uk
Can we also take this opportunity to mention that you may also wish to be listed as a Referral Partner or Information Organisation on Veterans’ Gateway, details of these are at https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/become-veterans-gateway-supporter/
Working closely with our partners and particularly Veterans’ Scotland the intention is to increase access to your services through these additional channels. Once listed more veterans and their families will have greater visibility of the services you provide and all from the convenience of their mobile device or tablet; at a time when we know the need is increasing, along with the complexity of support need and for many this could be their first foray in to gaining information, advice, and support.
Kind regards
Patrizia Cacchio
Veterans’ Gateway Coordinator
www.veteransgateway.org.uk
Twitter: @veteransgateway
Facebook: VeteransGateway
