The Pathways course is funded by the Royal British Legion and is intended for anyone, from Engalnd, Scotland or Wales who has served as a Regular or a Reserve in Her Majesty's Armed Forces and is having difficulties in civilian life. This could be due to mental health ordisability - related problems, debt, legal issues, family problems, homelessness, addiction, a criminal record or long-term unemployment. Everyone is different.
Our aim is to help you solve these problems, to get your life back on track, and to become economically and socially independent.
What will you do?
Lasting on average 12 weeks, the course is customised to help you address your personal needs and make the most of your abilities. This may include:
- Self-confidence, motovation and management of personal barriers.
- Civilian culture and expectations.
- Identifying and developing individual strengths.
- Developing the skills needed for employment (full, part-time or voluntary), further, higher or vocational education or training.
- Support for sleep problems, anger management, post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and other personal problems
- Health support
- Support and guidence for debt, benefit, housing and legal issues.
- Addiction counselling and support
- Post-course support in your new life
The course will be specific to you and your needs and the support you require is brought together from a number of different professionals who work as a single team directly with you.
The course is delivered at Finchale Training College in Durham and transport is provided on a daily basis to and from your home area.
Residential board and lodging is also available at Finchale, either for short periods or for the duration of the course.
Your attendance will be determined by your personal circumstances and although the average length of the course is 12 weeks this will also be determined by your particular needs.
And you won't be alone. On average 25 ex-military men and woman will be on the programme at any one time and many will have experienced similar problems to you.
What have been the results?
reason to get out of the house in the morning"
Health Trainer
Finchale Training College is piloting a Health Trainer service for the Veterans community in County Durham and Darlington with particular emphasis on the Veterans Pathways Programme centred on the College.
The Health Trainer comes from the Veterans community and will provide advice, support and assistance in helping individuals to improve their health, including diet, exercise, oral hygiene, cessation of smoking and alcohol consumption. A personal development plan will be agreed between the individual and the Trainer, detailing a Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely process to health behavioural change and reducing health inequalities. The Service will also signpost individuals to relevant health agencies if required. Progress meetings will be held to keep everyone on track to a healthier and happier lifestyle.
The Health Trainer Service provides more than just advice and support. It involves helping individuals to acquire the skills they need to actively set their own goals and manage parts of their lives that they would like to change.
Put simply it is about: "Support from next door, not advice from on high".
Lee Swift
Health Trainer
Who do I contact?
By telephone: Finchale Training College 0191 386 2634 Ask for Chris Lloyd Or Andy Wildish. By Email: Chris Lloyd or Andy Wildish