New App Helps Veterans Find Local Support Organisations

The Veterans' Gateway has launched an app using new mapping technology that enables veterans to access support through their smartphone or tablet.

The app helps veterans find organisations in their local area that can help with their finances, housing, employment, relationships and their physical or mental health.​

The help available on the app includes both NHS facilities and charitable organisations.​

Mark Collins from the Veterans' Gateway thinks the app opens up their service to more people who have served in the military. He said:

"What it has allowed us to do, is to expand the channels where veterans can find their way to Veterans' Gateway and the services they want, be that through self-help or they can contact our team at the contact centre.​"

Speaking about the app, Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Johnny Mercer, said:

“It provides helpful location-based signposting to the support and current services that are available. We want to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran, and that includes a digital future where every veteran can easily access the support they need at the touch of a button.”​

Northumbria University helped develop the App. Dr Matt Kiernan from the university said:

"This is the first time that this type of mapping technology has been available on an app. We are proud that... we have been able to create something bespoke to the veteran community.

The app is available across all four home nations, and can be used from abroad to contact UK services. It is funded by the Ministry Of Defence and the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund.

The Veterans' Gateway has been running since 2017 and has received over 47,000 contacts to the service.​