Change Step Launch

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