Menu
05/12/2007
UDR Care Fund Launched
A care service has been launched to help ex UDR and Royal Irish (Home Service) soldiers and their families deal with the legacy of the troubles.
The UDR & R Irish (HS) Aftercare Service fulfils a pledge by Government that a welfare organisation would be set up as part of an overall resettlement package.
Specifically the service - funded with £2 million annually - will combine existing welfare provision with the offer of medical and vocational programmes in a ‘whole person’ approach to meet the particular needs of former UDR and Royal Irish (Home Service) personnel as they seek to adjust to civilian life.
An advertising campaign is being launched to reach out to and advise ex-soldiers who may qualify for on-going welfare and benevolent support, including access to the medical programme and vocational assistance.
The vocational re-training award may be available to the 2,000 full-time members of the Home Service who have been discharged since 1 August 2005. The official opening of the premises and unveiling of the service is being planned for early next year but it is now able to be formally launched and to advertise its benefits.
The medical services will be provided through the Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust (PRRT) based in Belfast. PRRT has been providing these and other services to ex RUC and PSNI officers since 1999.
The appointment of PRRT reflects the pledge by the Armed Forces Minister that the soldiers who stood ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with the police would have the same standard of aftercare service.
Colonel Mark Campbell, a member of the owners’ board of the service and last serving colonel of the Royal Irish Regiment, says that ‘The Troubles’ have taken a physical and mental toll on many soldiers and their families.
“We must acknowledge the debt owed by the community to our colleagues with more than warm words. We must do all we can to alleviate their suffering and meet needs arising as a direct result of their service to the whole community," he said, noting that since the UDR was established in 1970, more than 50,000 men and women served in its ranks with a further 13,000 in the Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service) which succeeded it in 1992.
"During the 36 years of ‘The Troubles’ and since, nearly 1,000 of these families have been bereaved, over 640 soldiers were physically disabled and 271 serving and former soldiers were killed directly by terrorist activity," he continued.
The Aftercare Service will be based in Palace Barracks, Holywood and will have 12 of its 25 staff located in TA Centres in Coleraine, Enniskillen and Portadown.
(BMcC)
The UDR & R Irish (HS) Aftercare Service fulfils a pledge by Government that a welfare organisation would be set up as part of an overall resettlement package.
Specifically the service - funded with £2 million annually - will combine existing welfare provision with the offer of medical and vocational programmes in a ‘whole person’ approach to meet the particular needs of former UDR and Royal Irish (Home Service) personnel as they seek to adjust to civilian life.
An advertising campaign is being launched to reach out to and advise ex-soldiers who may qualify for on-going welfare and benevolent support, including access to the medical programme and vocational assistance.
The vocational re-training award may be available to the 2,000 full-time members of the Home Service who have been discharged since 1 August 2005. The official opening of the premises and unveiling of the service is being planned for early next year but it is now able to be formally launched and to advertise its benefits.
The medical services will be provided through the Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust (PRRT) based in Belfast. PRRT has been providing these and other services to ex RUC and PSNI officers since 1999.
The appointment of PRRT reflects the pledge by the Armed Forces Minister that the soldiers who stood ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with the police would have the same standard of aftercare service.
Colonel Mark Campbell, a member of the owners’ board of the service and last serving colonel of the Royal Irish Regiment, says that ‘The Troubles’ have taken a physical and mental toll on many soldiers and their families.
“We must acknowledge the debt owed by the community to our colleagues with more than warm words. We must do all we can to alleviate their suffering and meet needs arising as a direct result of their service to the whole community," he said, noting that since the UDR was established in 1970, more than 50,000 men and women served in its ranks with a further 13,000 in the Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service) which succeeded it in 1992.
"During the 36 years of ‘The Troubles’ and since, nearly 1,000 of these families have been bereaved, over 640 soldiers were physically disabled and 271 serving and former soldiers were killed directly by terrorist activity," he continued.
The Aftercare Service will be based in Palace Barracks, Holywood and will have 12 of its 25 staff located in TA Centres in Coleraine, Enniskillen and Portadown.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 November 2003
DUP attack Armstrong RIR comments
Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate for mid-Ulster, Billy Armstrong has called on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to give clear assurances about the role of the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) in the event of the Republican movement undertaking ‘acts of completion’.
DUP attack Armstrong RIR comments
Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate for mid-Ulster, Billy Armstrong has called on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to give clear assurances about the role of the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) in the event of the Republican movement undertaking ‘acts of completion’.
30 September 2003
DUP attacks plans to 'phase out' RIR
DUP Councillor, Sammy Wilson has attacked an alleged leaked document which says that the home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment are to be scrapped. Mr Wilson claimed his party has seen Government documents which showed that the home service battalions will be disbanded in three phases between 2005 and 2008.
DUP attacks plans to 'phase out' RIR
DUP Councillor, Sammy Wilson has attacked an alleged leaked document which says that the home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment are to be scrapped. Mr Wilson claimed his party has seen Government documents which showed that the home service battalions will be disbanded in three phases between 2005 and 2008.
29 May 2003
Trimble calls for meeting with PM over RIR future
Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble was seeking a meeting with the Prime Minister today over fears for the future of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR). Mr Trimble has already warned the Government that he would "not lift a finger" on the Joint Declaration between the British and Irish Governements until the regiment's future was safeguarded.
Trimble calls for meeting with PM over RIR future
Ulster Unionist leader, David Trimble was seeking a meeting with the Prime Minister today over fears for the future of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR). Mr Trimble has already warned the Government that he would "not lift a finger" on the Joint Declaration between the British and Irish Governements until the regiment's future was safeguarded.
30 September 2011
RIR And Irish Guards Win Gallantry Awards
Soldiers on route to Northern Ireland for a series of public engagements this week are among the 25 men from the Irish Guards and Royal Irish Regiment who have just been awarded honours for bravery.
RIR And Irish Guards Win Gallantry Awards
Soldiers on route to Northern Ireland for a series of public engagements this week are among the 25 men from the Irish Guards and Royal Irish Regiment who have just been awarded honours for bravery.
21 April 2008
UDR Care Scheme Launched
A care service worth £2 million annually to help ex-UDR and Royal Irish (Home Service) soldiers and their families deal with the legacy of the Troubles was today officially opened by the UK's most senior military figure, General Sir Richard Dannatt, Professional Head of the British Army.
UDR Care Scheme Launched
A care service worth £2 million annually to help ex-UDR and Royal Irish (Home Service) soldiers and their families deal with the legacy of the Troubles was today officially opened by the UK's most senior military figure, General Sir Richard Dannatt, Professional Head of the British Army.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
