Veterans Outreach Support (VOS) provides monthly Drop-Ins in a friendly and sociable environment on the first Wednesday of the month in Portsmouth, and on the third Wednesday in Newport, Isle of Wight (IOW). The Drop-In is available to ex-service personnel from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, the British Army, the Royal Air Force and the Merchant Navy, both Regular and Reservist, and their families and dependents. 

Those attending can find:

General welfare and wellbeing support delivered through up to 40 partner charities and agencies, termed Delivery Partners (DPs). A social forum with refreshments and peer support delivered by a team of volunteers. Mental health triage. Service users who require psychological assessment are seen, face to face, by a member of the triage team at one of the monthly Drop-Ins either on the Isle of Wight or Portsmouth or at separate, pre-arranged appointments. Cases are discussed in confidence among the clinical team to manage risk and safeguarding concerns and to put in place appropriate care pathways. Clinical delivery comprises assessments, diagnostic reviews, recommendations on specific psychiatric medications and the provision of evidence-based therapy in line with the Contact Group Guiding Principles for the delivery of Veterans’ and Service Families’ Mental Health Care and the NICE guidelines for PTSD and other mental health conditions. The team is led by an employed clinical manager, a Consultant Psychiatrist2 and a small number of contracted therapists who deliver weekly therapy based on clinical need. An assistant psychologist formed part of the team providing assessments. Working alongside the clinical team was a substance misuse recovery worker who delivered 1-1 recovery work in line with the NICE guidelines for alcohol reduction. The clinical team have veteran specific knowledge and are all trauma informed. Group wellbeing and peer support service delivered through a wide range of indoor, outdoor and online activities and visits throughout the year, supported by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trained volunteers, during the daytime, evenings and weekends. Regular veterans and families outreach coffee mornings are held in various locations on the South Coast and online; all promoting community, camaraderie and connection.