Ukrainian Veterans Foundation establishes important links with UK charity
CEO of Veterans Aid, Dr Hugh Milroy met their executive team 'virtually' for the first time recently following an introduction by EUROMIL President Emmanuel Jacob.
The Ukrainian team said "We were really interested in the methodology used by Veterans Aid, in particular its Welfare to Wellbeing© model." They expressed interest in receiving more information, about W2WB© and other Veterans Aid programmes, with a view to studying and adapting VA’s successful model for the UVF's work with Ukrainian veterans.
An executive for the UVF SAID, "The UVF is a Ukrainian state institution under the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine. We provide financial support to veteran businesses and NGOs that work with veterans and their loved ones. As a modern government institution, we are constantly studying the experiences of veterans' policies in different countries, in order to implement best practices to support veterans and members and their families. Each partnership is an opportunity for us, an opportunity to learn something new and share our own experiences. In October, a team from the UVF plans to visit the United Kingdom, a nation renowned for its extensive experience in supporting veterans and a well-established network of veteran organisations.
A Ukrainian spokesperson said, "Meeting with Hugh Milroy, the esteemed CEO of Veterans Aid, resulted in a productive and insightful conversation. We eagerly anticipate further development of this partnership . . . and are looking forward to further cooperation and a meeting in October."
With VA's help, the UVF seeks to establish further alliances with UK-based veterans organisations.
Dr Milroy said, "It was an honour and a pleasure to learn more about the UVF's vital work with Ukraine's veterans who are facing such huge challenges at the moment. I am filled with admiration for what the organisation has achieved so far, and the VA team will help in any way it can. Clearly some serious research has already been undertaken by the UVF and I hope we can augment it with our learned frontline experience, where relevant. At this stage of their development, it is vital that they focus on what works as opposed to simply adopting ineffective methodologies that do not place the veteran centre-stage. The UVF were stunned to learn that 35% of our new clients are simply signposted to us from other veteran charities/organisations because they either can’t help or won’t help.”
Dr Milroy, who is Honorary Professor of Social Work at the University of East Anglia, and Head of Wellbeing at The World Veterans Federation, added, "The WVF believes that regardless of nationality, veterans are true 'brothers in arms’, deserving of the best care that their respective countries can offer them. Whatever that translates as in financial terms, it should be underpinned by commitment to, and understanding of, ‘wellbeing'. Cooperation between those who share this vision is the first step towards delivering universal best practice in veteran care."
Also present at the meeting, from Ukraine, were Olena Prikhno, Interim Head of the International and Regional Cooperation Department of the UVF, and Daniil Momot, a specialist from the International and Regional Cooperation Department of the UVF.
