Veteran Connection Programme

18,000 servicepeople leave the UK military annually. Over half experience health problems. Unfortunately, many veterans are unable/reluctant to seek healthcare, and those who do are often unwilling to disclose their veteran status. Problematic transitions out of the military cost UK taxpayers £110million annually. Although the social challenges of transition are under-studied, these problems are exacerbated by loneliness, which harms health in both civilian retirees and veterans. Indeed, 50% of veterans report feeling lonely, often because of losing valued military social connections. This research would fill a significant evidence gap by testing the feasibility and acceptability of a unique evidence-based veteran wellbeing intervention (Veteran Connection Programme: VCP) which is designed to address the significant health-related impact of veterans’ social disconnection. 

To evaluate/establish:

1. Feasibility of recruiting service-leavers/veterans to VCP through three pathways: i) Preventative: via Ministry of Defence Career Transition Programme, charities, or self-referral. ii) (Sub)clinical: signposted by healthcare practitioners (Social prescribers, Primary care practitioners). iii) Integrative: as an onboarding tool for civilian employers or universities
2. Feasibility/acceptability of delivering VCP for various veterans' subgroups
3. Appropriateness of VCP’s implementation and management
4. Appropriateness of proposed VCP data collection procedures and identification of outcome measures for subsequent definitive trial
5. Evidence of participants’ responses to VCP and further development of the material. 

VCP participants (N = 80) will be asked to complete measures of psychological connectedness and wellbeing (via online longitudinal survey) at baseline (T1), VCP completion (T2), and 3-month follow-up (T3). By including opportunities in the survey for participants to reflect on the measures and survey design (e.g., whether they understand the items, whether the timing of the survey waves is appropriate, etc.), we will determine the appropriateness of these measures for evaluating VCP and assess the feasibility of our data collection procedures.

Is VCP an acceptable/feasible programme for service-leavers/veterans? 

UK-based ex-servicepeople who have become veterans in the last 6 years and who would be willing to attend a VCP weekend retreat in the South-West of England.