Veterans living in Dudley now benefit from a range of services and offers, including housing priority and leisure discounts, after the council launched the Dudley Veterans’ Charter.
Through the Dudley Veterans’ Charter, ex-armed forces personnel have received a commitment of co-ordinated support from a number of borough organisations.
Ahead of this year’s Armistice and Remembrance service events, Dudley Council has created the charter to ensure veterans receive a comprehensive support service when re-adjusting to civilian life.
The charter is supported by the local Royal British Legion and Job Centre Plus, Dudley Citizens Advice Bureaux, Dudley Council for Voluntary Service and Dudley Chamber of Commerce.
Commitments in the Dudley Veterans’ Charter include pledges from Dudley Council to ensure people leaving forces accommodation are a council housing priority. There are also council commitments to offer assistance to veterans with council tax and housing benefit enquiries and the veterans will now also receive discounted rates at borough leisure facilities.
Job Centre Plus can offer veterans early entry to their work programme and work choice programme aimed at helping disabled people gain and remain in employment. Job Centre Plus will also offer support with business start-ups along with Dudley Chamber of Commerce.
Meanwhile Dudley District Citizens Advice Bureau have backed the charter, committing to offer free advice on a range of issues including housing, employment, debt and family issues.
Dudley Council for Voluntary Service is also signed up to the charter, promoting its wide range of opportunities for veterans to volunteer in their local communities as they settle back into civilian life.
The organisations involved in the charter will also post the charter and relevant information on their websites to give veterans easy access to the commitments of the charter.
The council's housing service will recognise those leaving forces accommodation as a housing priority and offer bespoke advice and assistance on housing issues to veterans. More on council housing
The council's customer services division will offer bespoke assistance to veterans with council tax enquiries, housing and council tax benefit claims and will work with Job Centre Plus in relation to other benefit entitlements. More on benefits
The council's leisure service will give veterans entitlement to discounted rates at borough leisure facilities. More on Options Plus leisure scheme
Partner organisation commitments
Job Centre Plus commitments include:
Veterans can gain early entry to the Job Centre Plus Work Programme.
Veterans can gain access to a number of other initiatives, ranging from advice and allowances to supporting business start-ups.
The Work Choice programme, aimed at helping disabled people gain employment and remain in work and referrals will be made by Jobcentre Plus disability employment advisors.
More on Job Centre Plus
Black Country Chamber of Commerce commitments include:
Giving veterans access to business start-up advice and free business mentoring. More on Black Country Chamber of Commerce
Dudley District Citizens Advice Bureaux commitments include:
Armed forces personnel returning to civilian life can seek free advice on housing, employment, debt, benefits and forms, maternity rights, family and relationship issues. More on Dudley CAB
Dudley Council for Voluntary Service commitments include:
Veterans will be offered opportunities to volunteer in their local communities and can receive support in setting up support groups and social enterprises. More on DCVS
