Reply to: Poppy Muggers

[vetran]

What kind of country relies on a charity for its veterans? Should all be taken care off by the government.

ohh I feel dirty agreeing with el-reeker

[Old Greg]

FTFY

You're only bitter, because the publicly funded education system left you unable to construct a sentence correctly.

[NigelJK]

The government that on one hand says parents should care for their children including meals, yet on the other is able to pump 105 billion into trying to say the jobs of those who pay Tax and NI to fund a welfare state? I wonder why ...

FTFY

[Hobosapien]

What kind of country relies on a charity for its veterans? Should all be taken care off by the government.

The government that on one hand says it can't afford a few million for kids meals, yet on the other is able to pump 105 billion into the banks? I wonder why ...

[Eirikur]

What kind of country relies on a charity for its veterans? Should all be taken care off by the government.

[Old Greg]

now that is good thinking. imagine having a VA in the UK.

The VA is a good healthcare provider. Probably not necessary in UK as a provider, but as a commissioner, it would be good. It could be funded by allocating part of the 2% GDP spend on military budget mandated by NATO. A specialist vetran's adult education service would be good as well. I worked with a lot of ex RAF IT guys in the NHS in East of England. They were a good hard-working bunch, but maybe it's a bit different if you don't come out with particular skills.

[vetran]

There are probably complex mental health / trauma issues with many ex military homeless people (as with many homeless people). Not criticising the Legion here, as it really is for the State to manage, recognising their duty of care. A properly funded veteran's healthcare commissioning body could make a big difference, commissioning services from NHS, voluntary and healthcare providers, with rules that would give the ability to prioritise veterans where necessary.

now that is good thinking. imagine having a VA in the UK.

[Old Greg]

Indeed. people who want to be outside society need to be convinced to rejoin.

There are probably complex mental health / trauma issues with many ex military homeless people (as with many homeless people). Not criticising the Legion here, as it really is for the State to manage, recognising their duty of care. A properly funded veteran's healthcare commissioning body could make a big difference, commissioning services from NHS, voluntary and healthcare providers, with rules that would give the ability to prioritise veterans where necessary.

[vetran]

Or want it. You can't force people to accept help.

I can't speak for the poppy people but some help is also conditional - we'll give you a roof over your head if you quit the booze and the drugs. Seems like a no brainer but to an addict that's not an easy thing to comply with.

Indeed. people who want to be outside society need to be convinced to rejoin.

[Old Greg]

But they don't. Why are there homeless ex-military?

Support is a process. Homelessness is an outcome. Many homeless people are supported.

HTH

[ladymuck]

Maybe they don't think they need it, that does seem to be a big part of the problem.

Or want it. You can't force people to accept help.

I can't speak for the poppy people but some help is also conditional - we'll give you a roof over your head if you quit the booze and the drugs. Seems like a no brainer but to an addict that's not an easy thing to comply with.

[vetran]

But they don't. Why are there homeless ex-military?

Maybe they don't think they need it, that does seem to be a big part of the problem.

[Paddy]

They support ALL ex military who need it.
hth

But they don't. Why are there homeless ex-military?

[WTFH]

If Jim Davidson says you shouldn't wear one, that's probably a good indication that you should.

[BR14]

What do they do with the poppy money?

Can't be that many WWI or WWII veterans still alive so the purpose of it seems a bit beyond the original remit, do they support modern ex-military in need or are they just another super-charity that feels more like it's supporting those that work for it than those it's intended to support, a bit like the WWF.

They support ALL ex military who need it.
hth