Glasgow’s Helping Heroes Promotes Positive Relationships Between Veterans And the Police
Glasgow’s Helping Heroes is working hard to improve relationships between the Glasgow veteran community and the police force through its Glasgow Veterans United programme.
On Monday 18th February, Glasgow Veterans United played against Glasgow’s community police officers in a football match that aimed to improve relationships between the two groups.
Glasgow Veteran’s United (GVU) is part of the Rangers Charity Foundation. The programme aims to improve the wellbeing and lifestyle choices of veterans struggling with mental health issues, additions or social isolation and helps them address the negative attitudes that are affecting their lives and relationships with family and friends.
The football match was one of the last sessions of the 14-week programme.
Stephen Canale, Police Constable for Greater Glasgow Division, said:
“The Glasgow Veterans United and The Rangers Charity Foundation are two of a number of partner agencies that officers from Greater Glasgow’s Safer Communities Department work with. This project provided an opportunity for officers to deliver on a number of key issues which can affect the communities that we serve, including hate crime and internet safety. It is another platform for officers to engage with often, hard to reach groups, breaking down barriers and attitudes and providing those in attendance with a positive engagement with the police”.
Andy Yates, 60, a veteran taking part in Glasgow Veterans United for the third time, said:
“I’m a recovering alcoholic and this programme helped me with my recovery. Meeting ex-servicemen and people I can really talk to on the same level has been important to me, no one understands like them.
“It’s been good for Stephen to come along to the meetings. A lot of ex-squaddies, including me, have been on the wrong side of the law and Steve has changed our perception of the police. He’s taught us to accept other people in our community and has given us a much better understanding of their day to day job. It’s really changed my views on the police.”
Sally Stimson, Peer Support Worker at Glasgow’s Helping Heroes, said:
“We are delighted that the Glasgow Veterans United programme is changing perceptions held by some of the veteran community in Glasgow. This is the first time we have involved the police in the GVU programme and the positive feedback from both veterans and the police means it’s something we will be incorporating into all our future programmes.
“The course gives veterans the time, space and support they need to examine their lifestyle choices, change attitudes and learn valuable skills for the future.”
The next Glasgow Veterans United programme is due to start on May 17th 2019. Glasgow’s Helping Heroes will be taking sign-ups from the 25th February.
Glasgow’s Helping Heroes is a partnership between SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity and Glasgow City Council, to support the serving community, veterans and their families. The team offer holistic help and advice on issues such as housing, employment and training, dealing with debt or financial issues as well as assistance relating to health problems.
Find out more about how you can support Glasgow Helping Heroes by visiting www.glasgowshelpingheroes.org
About SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing lifelong support to our Forces and their families since 1885. Every year our staff and team of volunteers help more than 73,000 people, from Second World War veterans to young men and women who have served in more recent conflicts. For more information visit www.ssafa.org.uk and follow us on Twitter: @SSAFA.
