For many Veterans, seeking the help they need can be a daunting task. This is where Veterans Connect steps in. Social Futures’ Veterans Connect is a unique program that links Veterans and their families in The Central Coast and Hunter regions to a wide range of supports.
Eleanor Newton is the Gosford-based Team Leader for the program, which is delivered by not-for-profit organisation Social Futures. She says closed doors are a deterrent to Veterans seeking support.
“Sometimes trying to access a GP or find a therapist who you feel you can relate to is incredibly taxing. And trying to navigate the intricacies of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the provider landscape can be daunting. That is why Veterans Connect is such a great service to have in place – we make sure that people don’t hit those closed doors,” she says.
When a Veteran joins this free program, they are allocated a Care Coordinator who is their single point of contact. Care Coordinators navigate all available services and can connect people to community groups, navigate government supports, and liaise with providers like doctors and specialists to ensure they have all the background information they need, so clients don’t need to repeat their story.
“We can help to ensure that new clinicians or medical staff are up to speed with where a client is at. This means participants don’t need to divulge the same history repeatedly, hopefully helping to reduce emotional strain,” Eleanor explains.
For those who struggle with technology, Veterans Connect offers alternative ways to engage with providers, but Eleanor says one of the most valuable features is the local knowledge.
Forming friendships and social connections as an adult can be challenging, but Veterans Connect makes it easier.
“We ask people about their interests, and then we will find them a group which exists in their area – people are aways surprised by what’s out there.
“We find peer support, craft groups, so many sports groups – that seems to be the number one thing. Walking, surfing, dragon boating – you name it!
“Some people might be looking specifically for a group which is separate from other Veterans in case they are triggered, or alternatively someone might be looking to connect with people who understand what they have been through. We can generally find something for everyone,” Eleanor said.
Arthur1 served in Vietnam, and despite leaving the army in the mid-1970’s, life after service continued to be a series of battles.
For decades, Arthur navigated life with an array of mental health challenges, including PTSD, generalised anxiety disorder, and severe agoraphobia. On top of this, he lived with physical injuries and had multiple cancer diagnoses that made everyday mobility an uphill battle. Not having a family of his own, he also struggled with isolation. Then came a no-fault eviction on his rental property.
“This was additional pressure that Arthur really didn’t need,” said Ellie, Arthur’s Veterans Connect Care Coordinator. “Arthur had lived in the Central Coast region for many years, but he really kept to himself and didn’t have a strong social network he could reach out to.”
A Central Coast-based Veteran-specific rehabilitation provider advocated for Arthur, first by applying to have his service recognised, linking him into health providers and support, and submitting claims with DVA. All of which was very helpful, but it was looming homelessness that kept Arthur awake at night.
Veterans Connect and the rehabilitation provider worked in partnership to try to find a property to suit but after months of meetings and advocacy attempts, no solution was in sight and every possible avenue was exhausted. The search was widened to Newcastle and Sydney to no avail. All options within NSW were then explored, but again, without success.
“We were getting a bit nervous; we know we are in the midst of a housing crisis and affordable rental properties are scarce. Arthur lives on an Aged Pension and uses a wheelchair which really limited the type of property that would suit him.”
With just two weeks left before Arthur’s eviction date, a glimmer of hope emerged from an unexpected place—Victoria.
“I had made contact with a Veteran-specific service which offered a lifeline – what a relief! They had a vacancy just open up in their permanent accommodation for Veterans in a regional Victorian town. It is a village of one-bedroom apartments and is home to a dozen Veterans, many sharing similar stories and challenges to Arthur.”
“I was concerned Arthur wouldn’t like to move so far away from the Central Coast region he knew so well. But as luck would have it, he told me he had spent happy times visiting an Aunt in that area as a child and was open to the move. So, we jumped into action!”
Ellie applied for the new accommodation and negotiated an extension on his lease, allowing time to move. The local Sub-Branch Welfare Officer volunteered to help pack and drive the Veteran to his new home, while the Victorian housing organisation covered the cost of the moving truck.
“All of these different organisations pitched in together, it was a true joint effort and thankfully, the transition was seamless.”
“It’s been a fabulous outcome. Arthur is settled into his new home, and he said for the first time in years he has a back courtyard, where he can soak up the sunshine from his wheelchair.
“He’s also made a friend in his neighbour, who is a similar age and background, so he is finally breaking the isolation he once knew.
“What is incredible for me about this role is knowing that I am making a difference for people. Making sure that they have their basic needs met. Because everybody deserves that. Everybody deserves that dignity” Ellie said.
Social Futures Veterans Connect Program is a free service for Veterans and their families on the Central Coast and in the Hunter Region of NSW.
Call 1800 719 625 or email [email protected].
Social Futures is a community service organisation with 49 years’ experience working to achieve positive social change in our communities. We work directly with individuals, families, communities, organisations and governments across our focus areas of homelessness, housing and employment, youth and family, mental health and wellbeing, community inclusivity and programs that promote genuine participation for people with disability, to support communities to thrive and people to live well.
This Veterans Connect service has been made possible by funding from the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network (the PHN).
Article published in Hunter Veterans News: Summer 2004
