News

21st March 2023

Step Together Volunteering gains Veterans Mental Health Awareness Standard (VMHAS)

Step Together Volunteering is thrilled to have received the Veterans Mental Health Awareness Standard

A recent assessment has resulted in Step Together Volunteering gaining the new Veterans Mental Health Awareness Standard (VMHAS) in March 2023. We were invited to complete the Veterans Mental Health Awareness Standard Self-Assessment Tool as partners of the Veterans Places, Pathways and People (VPPP) Programme, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. Step Together Volunteering is a partner of the Bridge For Heroes VPPP project in the East of England.

Through the assessment process, which consists of 14 questions covering our Performance, Support and Transparency, we demonstrated our experience and understanding of supporting Veterans with mental health needs and how our service strives to achieve best practice in providing effective and safe non-clinical support for Veterans with mental health needs.

Having completed the self-assessment, we are delighted to have been awarded the accreditation by COBSEO (the confederation of service charities). In sharing the news, Nick Grace, Veterans Mental Health Awareness Project Manager, said “Step Together Volunteering has clearly demonstrated the appropriate level of awareness and its commitment to improving the non-clinical and safe support given to Veterans with mental health needs… It is really encouraging to note your commitment to staff wellbeing, especially those struggling with their mental health, but also the way you record the impact you have on veterans.”

The accreditation lasts for two years, after which we will be invited to undertake the assessment again.