How banking fines continue to support those who demonstrate the very best of values

At Autumn Statement 2016, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, announced that the government has committed a further £102 million of banking fines over the next 4 years to support Armed Forces and Emergency Services charities and other related good causes.

Sea Sanctuary has been awarded just over £1.7 million funding to provide a bespoke psychological treatment service supporting Armed Forces and Blue Light personnel across the South West.

A spokesperson for Sea Sanctuary said:

"This award will offer the 999 community, veterans and many young people in the South West an opportunity to emotionally prosper. Mental health care is often referred to as the 'cinderella service' due to neglect and investment being directed elsewhere. This award will provide a well-being hub in the heart of the South West offering a raft of programmes designed to improve emotional resilience, move people away from maladjusted coping strategies and instead, to move people towards greater self-reliance."

"We look forward to supporting hundreds of people; many of whom simply do not have the support they desperately require. "

Combat Stress has been awarded just over £2 million funding to support the preparation and residual care of veterans with the most complex cases of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sue Freeth, Combat Stress Chief Executive, said:

"We are very grateful to receive the £2 million Libor funding. These funds are much needed as we've seen a huge 71% increase in referrals to Combat Stress over the past five years. Many more ex-servicemen and women with mental health problems are coming to us for help than ever before, and we envisage this trend continuing for the next decade. "

"The Libor funding will enable us to develop our recovery journey for veterans attending our Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Intensive Treatment Programme, specifically providing pre and post treatment support. This will help us to engage with veterans so they can access treatment as quickly as possible."

Mind has been awarded just over £1.5 million to provide improved mental health for Emergency Services staff across England and Wales.

In March 2015 Mind were given £4 million in Libor funding to launch the Blue Light Programme, to support Emergency Services staff and volunteers in England who had experienced stress, low mood or poor mental health at some point. Mind's research showed the need for specialist and independent support with mental health in the sector was huge.

A spokesperson for Mind said:

"Two years on, thousands of staff and volunteers across our Police, Search and Rescue, Fire and Ambulance Services in England have actively challenged mental health stigma, learnt more about mental health and made positive changes in their approach to well-being. With an additional £1.5 million being given to the Blue Light Programme in 2016, Mind can continue to provide vital mental health support for Emergency Services staff and volunteers, as well as provide targeted support for new recruits and students, 999 call centre staff and A&E staff."

Mind's Blue Light Champions said:

"The more I have spoken about it in the last couple of years, the more support I have gained from my colleagues, supervisors and management. I am now able to go to certain people at work and tell them I'm having a really bad day. Just saying that can make me feel a lot better." (Helen, Police)

"Since I have spoken out, other colleagues including senior officers have told me how they went through that 20 years ago or whatever it was. It's comforting to know that I'm not the only one, that people do get through it and progress." (Richard, Fire Service)

"There is lots of help out there. The hardest part is asking for it or accepting it. That help can make all the difference." (Ross, Search and Rescue)

The Ambulance Services Charity (TASC) has been awarded just over £2 million to provide essential post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) support for Ambulance Service staff and their families.

A spokesperson for TASC said:

"Ambulance staff, like all Emergency Services, face a wide variety of challenges day-to-day; a few amusing, some difficult, many traumatic. Through these funds, we are able to provide timely and essential support to ambulance personnel when they experience PTSD or physical injury as a result of the service they give to their communities."

The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home has been awarded just over £1 million to contribute towards an extension of the Queen Alexandra Hospital Home and end of life care for veterans.

A spokesperson for the Queen Alexandra Hospital Home said:

"We shall now be able to build an extension to our Norfolk South Ward which will improve existing facilities and increase our number of beds so we can meet increased demand for our first class care. This will enable us to care for more disabled veterans in the future in improved and modernised facilities."

"Secondly the Libor grant will also fund three years of end of life care for terminally ill veterans, ensuring they receive our award winning care as they near the end of their lives. It will also allow us to upgrade our end of life equipment to ensure that those who have served our country and given so much are as pain free and comfortable as possible."

The Royal Star and Garter Homes has been awarded £369,000 to contribute towards the refurbishment of the Royal Star and Garter Home for veterans in Solihull. 

A spokesperson for the Royal Star and Garter Homes said:

"The Libor grant of £369,000 will help increase the quality of life for disabled veterans living in the Royal Star and Garter Home in Solihull: the residents' dining experience will be transformed, improvements made to the ground floor public spaces and dementia garden, and a new first floor terraced garden created."

The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) has been awarded £3 million to fund improved childcare and community centre facilities for Army families across varied and isolated locations.

A spokesperson for ABF said:

"We are delighted that £3 million has been awarded to ABF The Soldier's Charity by the Treasury from the Libor banking fines to help improve childcare and community centre facilities for Army families. This will be taken forward in partnership with the Army and will do so much to support those families, whose well-being is of vital importance."

Evelina London Children's Hospital has been awarded £2 million funding to contribute towards essential improvements in bespoke care for children with complex, life-limiting conditions.

Marian Ridley, Director of Evelina London, said:

"We are delighted to have received this funding from the Treasury. The Long Term Ventilation, Sleep and Neuro-rehabilitation facilities will provide high quality care to families in a 'home from home' setting."

"Our new Fetal Cardiology Unit will help us
provide specialist fetal scans to 2,200 mothers a year with high risk pregnancies."

The next round of Libor funding is now open - emergency services and armed forces charities can apply online.