Supporting retired police officers at Woody’s Lodge centres for military veterans
Published on 30 September 2018 11:00 AM
Wales' two Woody's Lodge sites based in Barry and Colwyn Bay that provide support to older military veterans, today join the rest of the UK in paying tribute to police officers who have been killed while in the line of duty.
The 29 September, St Michaelmas Day, is chosen to commemorate the officers as St Michael was the patron saint of police officers.
While the two Woody's Lodge sites are primarily used by military veterans, retired police officers are also welcome to come along and benefit from the support on offer.
Veterans and former police officers may have been through similar traumatic experiences during their careers and therefore both may benefit from the unique approach adopted by Woody's Lodge.
For example, both sites provide welcoming and safe spaces that enable the service users to talk candidly about their experiences without being judged in any way.
The Lodges also invite numerous health and social services to come along and deliver care directly to clients, many of whom would be reluctant to use conventional routes.
Woody's Lodges are partners in Project 360° along with Age Cymru and Age Alliance Wales. Through this project Woody's Lodges have gained funding until March 2020 to develop their current two sites in Wales.
Alongside supporting the Woody's Lodges, Project 360° aims to improve services and support for veterans aged 65 or over across Wales. Currently the project is carrying out nationwide research to help understand how veterans use health and social services and what could be done to improve their quality of life.
For more information about Project 360° please contact 029 2043 1555 or email heather.ferguson@agecymru.org.uk
Ends
Notes to editors:
Woody's Lodge is a partner in Project 360° alongside Age Cymru and Age Alliance Wales. Through this project the development of Woody's Lodge's Barry and Colwyn Bay sites are being funded until March 2020.
Project 360° is funded by the Aged Veterans Fund funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR money.
Beyond supporting Woody's Lodge's current development, Project 360° is a Wales wide project focussed on the development of services and support specifically for older military veterans through the project partners.