What is a veteran?

A veteran is anyone who has served for at least one day in the Armed Forces, whether as a regular or reservist. It means the same as ‘ex service personnel’ or ‘ex-forces’, although not all veterans know the term or choose to associate with the term ‘veteran’. Younger veterans might refer to themselves as ‘ex-forces’, in the belief that a veteran is someone who fought in the First / Second World War.

Veterans Gateway

There is excellent point of contact for welfare needs including housing, finances, employment, physical and mental wellbeing. You can gain support via the website which includes the options to email or live chat, call 0808 8021212 or Text 81212.

Op COURAGE

In March 2021, NHS England and NHS Improvement announced the new name for its veterans mental health services; Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service. This is the new overarching name for the Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, 3 Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS), Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS) and Veterans’ Mental Health High Intensity Service (HIS). The new name has been developed following feedback from veterans and their families to make it easier for those leaving the military and veterans to find help. Op COURAGE provides specialist care and support for Service leavers, reservists, veterans.

Veteran Patient Charter.pdf