Published on: 23rd September 2024
On Friday 13 September 2024, Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns OBE MC MP, visited the Birmingham base of the Midlands Op COURAGE Partnership at the Barberry, part of Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has been the lead provider for Midlands Op COURAGE since April 2023 and our Operational Lead, Doug Wing (RNMH), was delighted to attend the visit alongside other clinical leads from across the partnership.
Op COURAGE is an NHS service developed with people who have served in the Armed Forces and experienced mental ill-health. Working together with NHS services and charities, Op COURAGE makes sure people who have served and are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing get the specialist care, support and treatment for their specific needs.
Midlands Op COURAGE is one of six regional providers of the service in England, and since April 2023, it has supported more than 1,700 veterans, service leavers, reservists and their families across both the East and West Midlands.
During the visit Mr Carns, a former Royal Marine and MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, met members of the partnership team and spoke to veterans, Steve and Will, about their life-changing experiences of receiving treatment through the service.
Mr Carns said: “I was really fortunate to chat with veteran service users who shared their stories. One individual alone told me that Op COURAGE had given his son a father back.
"Veterans are at the centre of everything that Op COURAGE does which is why I’m delighted to see they’ve been integral in shaping this service provided.”
Doug said: “It was a real privilege to be able to showcase our work and explain more about how we’re working together as a collaborative partnership to support veterans across the Midlands.
“Veterans like Steve and Will are testament to the success of Op COURAGE and I'd urge anyone who has served in the Armed Forces and is struggling with their mental health and wellbeing to get in touch for help."
Watch the following video from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs for highlights of the meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBjt2jhgC-s
Midlands Op COURAGE is proudly delivered in partnership by: Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, St Andrew's Healthcare, Walking With The Wounded, The Ripple Pond, Tom Harrison House, and Mental Health Matters.
Veterans, their families or other health professionals can refer, or self-refer to services by calling 0300 323 0137 or emailing mevs.mhm@nhs.net
Please visit www.opcouragemidlands.nhs.uk for more information.
Photo credit: Ministry of Defence
