Dr Hugh Milroy, CEO of Veterans Aid

Despite lots of high-profile Government initiatives and so-called collaboration within the sector there is clear evidence that veterans are still being failed - writes CEO of Veterans Aid, Dr Hugh Milroy.  

As 2023 draws to a close, CEO Dr Hugh Milroy reflects on why Veterans Aid is receiving regular calls like this when so much has been invested in advancing the cause of veterans' wellbeing.

Armed Forces Day offers  a chance for the people of Britain to show their  support for those who make up the Armed Forces community. Ceremonial events will be held – indeed funding will be made available to facilitate them. But behind the pomp and pageantry there remains a cohort of veterans  with very little to celebrate. CEO of Veterans Aid Dr Hugh Milroy discusses support for a section of the AF community that may not be saluting  on June 24th. 

 

CEO of Veterans Aid Dr Hugh Milroy's recent interactions on the international stage have caused him to reflect on both the universality and complexity of individual nations' post-service problems - and the need to take a 'bottom up' approach to resolving them.

From Harm to Hope is the Government’s 10-year plan to cut crime and save lives by reducing the supply/demand for drugs and delivering a high-quality treatment and recovery system. It’s one of many current initiatives focused on delivering long-term solutions to problems facing society today. CEO of Veterans Aid, Dr Hugh Milroy, reflects on the implications of ‘horizon thinking’ and questions whether the balance is right.

As the frontline charity Veterans Aid publishes its latest Impact Report, CEO Dr Hugh Milroy reflects on how provision of support for veterans changed over lockdown and calls for a new approach to dealing with the age-old problem of homelessness in post-pandemic Britain.

Veterans Aid remained fully operational throughout the pandemic – but it was a challenge. CEO of the charity, Dr Hugh Milroy, is concerned that the recent staggering hike in utility costs is set to present frontline organisations with even bigger problems – with potentially catastrophic consequences.

What does ‘levelling up’ and ‘building back better’ mean to those Veterans living on the fringes of society? Dr Hugh Milroy, CEO of frontline homeless charity Veterans Aid, offers some cautionary thoughts.

A recent research paper into the  discharge process for men and women dismissed from the Armed Forces for drug use found it ‘inconsistent and damaging’. Pledges to explore and redress this are welcome, but in the interim frontline charities like Veterans Aid are dealing with its devastating impact on individuals and families. Dr Hugh Milroy, CEO of the charity, explains why a review of the policy is needed.

It’s a fact of life that when something works for the majority, the minority can get overlooked – and for most veterans, the transition system works. Overwhelmingly, individuals do well when they leave the Armed Forces. Indeed many go on to outperform their civilian counterparts. So why am I asking for the resettlement system to be modernised?

‘Make online contributions to charities that are struggling’ was the Prime Minister’s plea to MPs in a recent exchange about Government support for veterans organisations. As the Government pledges another £254m to tackle rough sleeping, now more than ever, it is important to target spending wisely.