Thoughts from our C.E.O, Dr David Trotman
Every few months, our C.E.O, Dr David Trotman, takes some time to reflect on the progress of everything we’re doing here at Woody’s Lodge, read David’s thoughts below on Woody’s activities from over the summer.
You can also find his thoughts in the introduction of our newsletters, so why not sign up to receive our newsletter here? All you need to do is scroll down to the bottom of the page to ‘Keep up to date with Woody’s Lodge’ and enter your email address.
David’s Thoughts
The good news this quarter, is that Woody’s Team members Sian and JR at Haye on Wye, received Silver Awards for their hard work and support at The Welsh Veterans Awards. A brilliant result and a major acknowledgment from the Welsh Veteran Community. Well done both!
Our main hubs at Eirais Park, Colwyn Bay and Amelia Farm, Barry go from strength to strength and are now becoming firmly established and recognised within the Armed Forces and Emergency Services Community in Wales plus at the UK level. Woody’s has now been requested to join the UK Board of the Association of Service People’s Drop In Centre (ASDIC) and represent Wales at this level ensuring good practice and procedures are followed in Drop In Centres throughout the UK.
Speaking of Drop in Centres, the numbers of veterans visiting our Satellite Centres at Rhyl, Wrexham, Shotton, Holyhead is increasing, given the need here, by the time of printing we will have opened in Pwll Helli. Following the success of our North Wales team, we have now opened an “evening” Drop In Centre in Cardiff with partners: Change Step, Wales Veterans Partnership, Blesma and Cavamh and soon to open in Merthyr and requests for a centre in Llanelli.
Summer has been a busy part of the year with Woody’s holding stalls at WAAT4 police challenge at Brecon, Armed Forces Day in North and South Wales, as well as Swansea Air Show. We are also soon to launch a partnership with Wales Ambulance Service NHS Trust and looking to younger people, engaging with cadets at Military Preparation College and RN’s University Reserve Unit.
Finally on the welfare front, in the last few weeks, by supporting and attending our veterans’ at tribunal hearings, we have reversed benefits decisions for three of our veterans and their families, with our lads now receiving enhanced benefit payments. Brilliant life changing results achieved by our support team. As you can guess an increasing number of cases are coming our way for Judy and Tom.
Thank you so much for your hard work and support, especially to our volunteers and to you, who make Woody’s such a special place to work.
Dr David Trotman C.E.O.
If you, or a veteran or an Emergency Services leaver you know, needs some help or support, or are looking for the camaraderie and peer-support from their active service days, why not see how Woody’s Lodge can help? Contact us here.
