Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust proudly support the Armed Forces community through Op COURAGE partnership on Armed Forces Day
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT) marks this Armed Forces Day, Saturday 28 June, by showing support for the Armed Forces community: from currently serving personnel to service families, veterans and cadets.
CWPT is an NHS organisation with specialist expertise in mental health, dementia, learning disabilities and autism. CWPT also holds the NHS Veteran Aware accreditation along with the Silver Award in the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme. These both recognise the exceptional support offered to the Armed Forces community, including reservists, veterans and military families.
CWPT is part of the Midlands Op COURAGE Partnership, one of six regions delivering the service in England. Working with partners, CWPT has supported more than 2,700 veterans, service leavers, reservists and their families across both the East and West Midlands.
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.
Armed Forces Day Event 11am - 3pm on Saturday 28 June at the Pump Room Gardens in Leamington Spa:
Members of the Op COURAGE team will be at the Warwickshire Armed Forces Day Event, where members of the public and serving personal, veterans and their families can come and speak to the team about the work they do and the support they offer.
Eddie Frimpong, Mental Health Nurse, Op COURAGE Midlands, CWPT said: My role as a mental health nurse has given me an opportunity to support veterans and other armed forces community members regarding their mental health. My experience as a serving soldier really helps break down any barriers with my patients, as I have a good understanding of the military culture and how hard the transition can be for some people.
Day to day I complete full military, sensitive, holistic assessments and decide the most appropriate pathway to support the veteran, working very closely with them and their family to make decisions about their care.
Ben Patrick, Occupational Therapist (OT), Op COURAGE Midlands, CWPT said: I also have two roles in the Reserves; I am a Command Post Assistant and part of the Regimental Mentor Team (RMT).
I have always been motivated to help people, and being an OT and a reservist allows me to do that. Skills such as communication, leadership, and teamwork complement each other across both of my roles, as well as both providing me with both challenging environments and learning opportunities.
Doug Wing, Op COURAGE Midlands Operational Lead said: I have worked in the NHS since 2001 and qualified as a registered mental health nurse in 2007. Prior to this I served in the Army as a Sapper Wing in the Royal Engineers.
I joined veterans' services in March 2021, initially as service manager in the Lincoln hub until moving into my current role of operational lead for the Midlands Op COURAGE Partnership in early 2023.
After leaving the Army, and before joining the NHS, I would have benefitted from the sort of support that Op COURAGE provides. It's a privilege to work with veterans and support the Armed Forces community.
Mary Mumvuri, Chief Nursing Officer and Deputy Chief Executive , CWPT said: While working as a senior mental health nurse responsible for quality assurance of services provided to British Armed Forces and their families in Germany, I saw first-hand how traumatising their experiences of conflict could be. I was humbled by the bravery of our young men and women, and that focused my commitment to ensuring we provide the best support possible for our Armed Forces community. We are incredibly proud of our strong connections with the community, and I would like to thank all the veterans, reservists and their family members working across the Trust, as well as our patient and public voice partners for their ongoing hard work to support our Armed Forces community.
How to refer to Op COURAGE
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.
Midlands Op COURAGE is proudly delivered in partnership by: Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, St Andrew's Healthcare, Walking With The Wounded, The Ripple Pond, Tom Harrison House, and Mental Health Matters.