Background to our Veteran Mentors Programme
In 2018 we carried out a review of our services, comparing our work with other ex-service charities. Not surprisingly we found that there are a lot of charities carrying out similar activities, notably around specialist sports equipment, education and mental health support. Clearly there is a significant need and each charity provides support in their own way. That provides choice for veterans, which is a good thing.
Our research also identified that the sector rarely focused on the skills and experience veterans already have and how these skills could be utilised to help veterans build their confidence that is often lacking when they first leave the Armed Forces.
We set about looking at ways we could help ex-service utilise their skills so they could help themselves and in the process help the wider community.
Youth Crime – How Veteran Mentoring can help
The situation across our country with youth crime, gangs and exploitation of young girls was headline news throughout 2018 as it continues to be today. At the same time we came across an extraordinary project run by the YMCA in Chicago USA. The project is called Urban Warriors and enrols veterans to mentor gang members and those at risk of gang membership. Urban Warriors provides a structured curriculum-based program, that pairs experienced veterans with youth exposed to violence.
These two groups share many life experiences, such as surviving in hostile environments and striving to cope. Together, they discuss and process their experiences and share coping skills and identify how they can channel their energy in a positive way. The aim is to provide purpose and responsibility for veterans whilst providing the support to gang members that want to leave behind a life of violence.
The US model has shown there is an element of respect for veterans. Gang members listen, engage, and take on-board advice and support veterans give. It is not easy work, with many setbacks and failures, but it is making a difference. If it works in the USA, we think a similar model could work here.
Girl Gang members – The most vulnerable in our communities
Girls are an integral part of a male gang, exploited and blackmailed for sex from the age of 12. Initially many are raped and shamed. With many coming from broken homes, they have no one to confide in and are easy prey for highly manipulative gang members. Some schools turn a blind eye to protect their own ratings and protect staff from physical attacks. Girls are also used as mules to carry weapons and drugs further isolating them from normal society (Centre for Social Justice).
Eventually they are pushed out, leaving them emotionally and sometimes physically scarred for life. This normally happens before they are 16 years old.
80% of girls that leave gangs suffer from long term depression and a third are at risk of self harm and suicide (Public Health England 2015).
Most will have antisocial personality disorder, anxiety, psychosis and drug and alcohol dependence. Numbers are difficult to gauge, but it is widely accepted that around 3,000 girls are at serious risk from gangs. There is hardly any specific support for them. We want to focus on this group by matching female veterans with vulnerable girls.
Aim
The overall aim of the programme is to provide veterans with a fulfilling role that gives them a real sense of purpose and enables them to support young people that are being drawn into gangs, failing at school or at risk of criminal activity. We want to support children and young people that lack a structured life, a supportive home and have no positive role models.
How the project will work
We will invite ex-service personnel (with a focus on women) to enrol onto mentoring courses. They will then partner with existing organisations supporting children and young people. Our target groups will be: those at risk of being expelled from school; those involved in gangs that want a way out; and girls vulnerable to exploitation.
We would also like to investigate supporting young people that are currently serving custodial sentences. The project will have a strong focus on girls as they are by far the most vulnerable and abused group.
Helping veterans to help themselves
We think veterans can make a huge difference to young people whilst helping themselves regain their confidence and self-worth after leaving the military. There are many young men and women leaving the Forces that lack strong family ties and have few friends outside the army. However, they are disciplined, responsible, creative and when they were in the armed forces, highly confident. Once they leave the structure of army life, many can feel insecure and lack focus. As we all know depression, unemployment and homelessness is a real possibility. We believe this project will give them a new purpose and help them adjust to civilian life whilst providing an innovative solution to youth crime in the UK.
If you are interested in becoming a Veteran Mentor please email. (The Mentoring service is open to all ex-service veterans from the Armed Forces).
If you would like to donate towards our Veteran Mentors programme click here
