Talk
Once our service is running, the first step may be understanding what's happening without expecting somebody to have the whole story neatly organised.
Our Planned Support Approach
The reality of
The reality of
the journey.
We're not going to sell you a magical transformation story. Real life doesn't work like that.
Progress is messy.
This page explains the approach we want Veterans Backbone to take once operational. Our services have not launched, and we're not accepting individual support cases yet.
Here's the honest bit
Getting support doesn't magically
Getting support doesn't magically
fix your life.
Some things can be sorted quickly. Some take months. Some take years. And some things may never look exactly how you wanted them to.
There may be setbacks. Systems can still be frustrating. Other people still make their own choices. And occasionally life throws another pile of shit on top while you're still dealing with the first one.
That's why we're designing a support approach that recognises real life instead of promising instant results.
We won't promise easy. We'll aim for honest.
Roughly speaking
It might look something
It might look something
like this.
This is an example of the support process we're developing, not an operational service or a rigid sequence.
Because apparently life doesn't read flowcharts.
Make A Plan
Work together to identify what matters, what can wait and which practical next steps might be appropriate.
Take Action
Appropriate referrals, information, forms, conversations or other practical steps, depending on the person's circumstances and the service's available resources.
Hit A Wobble
Something doesn't work. Circumstances change. Motivation disappears. Welcome to being human.
Adjust
Review what changed, what isn't helping and whether a different approach or another service is needed.
Move Forward
However slowly. However imperfectly. Progress doesn't have to be dramatic to be meaningful.
Nobody likes this bit
Sometimes you will
Sometimes you will
go backwards.
You can be doing brilliantly and then housing changes, money goes wrong, health takes a hit, a relationship falls apart or something unexpected lands in your lap.
Needing support again doesn't erase the progress you already made.
It means circumstances changed.
We want the future Veterans Backbone approach to recognise that setbacks aren't automatically failure.
Wobbling isn't starting again.
Another honest bit
We can't do it
We can't do it
for you.
When our service launches, we want to work alongside veterans rather than take over their lives.
That could include practical guidance, helping navigate services, identifying options, following up on appropriate referrals and advocating where suitable.
But no organisation can guarantee every decision will go someone's way, control other people or make choices that belong to the individual.
The aim is partnership, within clear boundaries and whatever support the service is actually equipped to provide.
Beside you. Not instead of you.
Progress isn't just the big stuff
Sometimes progress looks
Sometimes progress looks
surprisingly boring.
Answering The Phone
When last month you couldn't face it.
Turning Up
Even when every part of you wanted to cancel.
Saying “I Need Help”
Before everything completely falls apart.
Saying No
When something isn't right for you.
Sorting One Thing
Even though another eleven are still waiting.
Having A Better Week
Without demanding that it immediately becomes a better life.
Where are we trying to get to?
Hopefully, somewhere
Hopefully, somewhere
you need us less.
The long-term aim isn't to make anybody dependent on Veterans Backbone forever.
We'd like our future support to help people build stability, confidence, control and useful connections, without pretending we can solve every challenge.
Some people might eventually join community activities, support others or simply get on with their lives.
Whatever happens, support should help people move towards their own goals, not the organisation's idea of a perfect outcome.
Support is the bridge. Not the destination.
Bottom line
We're not promising
We're not promising
to fix you.
Firstly, you're a person, not a broken toaster.
Secondly, life is complicated, and anybody promising that one service can solve everything is talking bollocks.
The model we're developing starts with the person's actual circumstances, considers realistic options and allows for change.
This is our intended approach, not a claim that we're delivering these services today.
No miracle cure. No bullshit. Just the next useful step.
Where next?
Explore what
Explore what
we're building.
Wherever you're starting from
You shouldn't need to sort yourself out
You shouldn't need to sort yourself out
before asking for help.
Veterans Backbone isn't providing that help yet, but we're working towards a community-based service designed around real people.
If you need support now, please contact an established veterans' organisation or an appropriate local service rather than waiting for us.