9th December 2024
Step Together Volunteering: Charity ready to launch new Female Armed Forces Project
Step Together Volunteering is launching a pilot project to support women experiencing medical discharge in the Armed Forces community.
Funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, “Step ToGetHer” will seek to support female veterans and serving women who are on recovery duty, to improve their confidence and wellbeing through one-to-one coaching and peer support.
The project will be delivered by the charity, Step Together Volunteering. Their female Armed Forces Community staff team aims to help women improve their confidence, connections, support networks and skills, to help their transition into civilian employment or training, following service in the Armed Forces.
Women account for only 11% of the Armed Forces workforce, and female veterans and personnel on recovery duty (PRD) can find themselves feeling lonely and isolated.
Women are less likely to engage with veteran-specific services. Step Together Volunteering consulted with female veterans and PRD, who overwhelmingly felt that connecting with other women in similar circumstances to share experiences and advice would be helpful.
The Step ToGetHer project was created in response to the unique challenges faced by women within the Armed Forces Community, especially those who have been or will be medically discharged, to address the gender-specific needs they experience.
The pilot scheme will be overseen by two members of Step Together Volunteering’s female project team. Both of whom have lived experience of the Armed Forces Community.
Senior Project Manager, Laura Dobson, said:
“I am delighted that we are now ready to provide an extra level of tailored support to female service personnel going through the medical discharge process. Based on shared experience, empathy and respect, the project will be led by two facilitators with lived experience. They will be able to deliver opportunities for women to come together in confidence, share experiences, give and receive support”.
Established in 1994, Step Together Volunteering has been supporting members of the Armed Forces Community for almost 15 years, through bespoke one-to-one coaching and supported community volunteering placements.
If you are interested in becoming involved in the Step ToGetHer project, or would like to find out more, please get in touch by e-mailing laura.dobson@step-together.org.uk, or calling 0117 955 9042.
Step Together Volunteering supports Veterans and Personnel on Recovery Duty. Whilst this project is aimed at women, Step Together Volunteering welcomes and provides support for all genders within the Armed Forces Community.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Step Together Volunteering:
Step Together Volunteering provides bespoke one-to-one support to people facing complex transitions. These include young people aged 16-25 moving into adulthood, ex-offenders needing support to rehabilitate and build a crime-free life, and Armed Forces service personnel and veterans facing challenging transitions to civilian life.
A team of peripatetic project workers provide one-to-one support in people’s own community. Their support can include:
Identifying each person’s unique strengths and skills
Help to articulate dreams and ambitions and building an action plan
Support to overcome challenges and build resilience
Access to volunteering opportunities that align with people’s strengths, interests and future aspirations
Onward progression to training, education and/or employment
Support that is delivered at a pace that works for the individual and which is not prescriptive or time-limited.
- Step Together Volunteering is almost entirely funded by grants from charitable trusts and grant-making organisations.
- Step Together Volunteering’s vision is that everyone is supported to fulfil their potential.
- Step Together Volunteering’s commitment to supporting members of the Armed Forces Community has been recognised with a Silver level award under the Defence Employers Recognition Scheme
For more press information or opportunities please contact:
Anna-Clare Temple - CEO
Tel: 0117 9559042
Email: ceo@step-together.org.uk
Lucinda Horton – Business Manager
Tel: 0117 955 9042
Email: lucinda.horton@step-together.org.uk
Website : https://step-together.org.uk/