Launch of Veteran Living Well Project

Rowans Hospice has been awarded a grant from the Aged Veterans Fund, funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds to help deliver services uniquely tailored to the needs of those who have served in the forces. The project was launched at Rowans Living Well Centre and celebrated with the first sharing of a brand new play by Brian Daniels entitled ‘Fighting For Life’. The play tells the story of veterans James Findlay and his wife and the care they and his family received, from his diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease, up until his death.

The aim of the Veteran Living Well Project is to provide bespoke services, working with the hospice team and other health and social care providers, to ensure veterans requiring palliative and end of life care have access to appropriate treatments and therapies to meet their psychological, physical, social and spiritual needs. This may involve services within the new Living Well Centre or services within the community; support for both the person who has served in the forces and their family.

Speaking at the launch event, Erika Lipscombe, Director of Clinical Services at Rowans Hospice, said: “This funding will enable us to further develop our services and reach out to the local veteran community, supporting those who may be socially isolated and requiring palliative and end of life care. We will also recruit and train veteran volunteers to provide support at home, or in the usual place of residence, offering companionship and camaraderie with the aim of relieving any distress and improving the quality of life.”

The Hospice has been and will continue to work in partnership with local charities within Portsmouth and South East Hampshire who are currently supporting those people who have served in the forces and their families.

A Project Manager has been appointed and will come into post in January.