Armed Forces veterans in North Wales seeking help for mental health, loneliness, welfare or addiction problems are being offered a helping hand by a new charitable service called ‘Change Step’.
Change Step is
a support and peer-mentoring service provided by veterans for veterans. This
exciting new service was launched in May at the Hightown Barracks, Wrexham by
long-established drug and alcohol charity CAIS whose head office is in
Llandudno but which operates across North Wales and beyond.
Change Step
was chosen as a name for being not only a parade ground command recognised by military
personnel but also for its reflecting the charity’s aspiration to assist
veterans in making positive changes to their lives.
Peer mentors
– themselves military veterans – have been and will continue to be trained to
NVQ level 4 and beyond in the skills and attributes of peer mentoring with a
view to befriending and inspiring fellow veterans with post traumatic stress
disorder or probable substance misuse issues who want to make a fresh start and
who may need support in doing so. Change Step will also provide support for carers
and spouses of these same individuals.
The service
aims to support those seeking help for problems encountered as a result of
military service, and the programme will offer peer support and training and
developmental opportunities, as well as counselling and detoxification from
drugs or alcohol where required.
Change Step
is working collaboratively with statutory bodies and charities such as the Wrexham-based
NHS All Wales Veterans Health and Wellbeing Service (AWVHWS) and The Royal
British Legion so as to ensure a comprehensive and focused service for Armed
Forces veterans.
Change Step
offers: a community based peer mentoring scheme delivered by veterans for
veterans; a contact point for veterans, family members and carers; training
opportunities; CAIS detoxification and rehabilitation programme; CAIS
specialist counselling service complementary to the trauma therapy offered by
the AWVHWS; signposting to a wide range of services.
Change Step
can be contacted on 0845 06 121 12 or ask@change-step.co.uk
