VAPC East Midlands: meeting minutes 1 December 2025
Updated 26 August 2026
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Date and Location
Monday 1 December 2025
Loughborough Wellbeing Centre
Present
- Ian Crowe (IC) (Interim Chair)
- Barry Smith (BS) (Industry/Transition Lead)
- Helen Carter (HC) (Member)
- Andrew Holt (AH) (CJS Lead)
- Michael Whitehead (MW) (Communications Lead/Secretary)
Apologies
- Debbie Nicholls (DN) (Co-opted Member)
- Thomas Smith (TS) (Housing Lead)
- Philip Brooks-Stephenson (Industry/Transition Lead)
Not Present
- David Tomlinson (DT) (Member)
- Ian Bustin (IB) (Member)
- Brendan Daly (BD) (Member)
- Paul Drury (Co-opted Member) (PD)
1. Welcome and Opening Remarks
The Interim Chair welcomed members to the meeting.
2. Apologies for absence
Two apologies received and five non attendees
3. Declarations of interest
One received from AH in relation to item 7.
4. Veterans Services (VS) update
No update available due to IT challenges.
5. Minutes of last meeting and actions arising
No points raised and minutes were agreed.
6. Recent Ministerial Engagement, New Veterans’ Strategy and VALOUR
The Chair updated members and a detailed discussion took place, it was noted that efforts are being made to fully engage with the Minister.
7. VALOUR Recognised Centres Development Fund
Discussions took place regarding support for bids across the East Midlands region. Members agreed to support bids from Loughborough, Chesterfield and Lincolnshire (possibly second phase).
8. Chair’s Activity
ICB’s grouping was discussed.
9. Individual Member Updates
To include feedback from Common Interest Groups (CIG’s).
The following discussions took place:
- Veterans and the Law
- The future of VAPC’s
- Re-organisations within the NHS
- Housing for veterans and a scheme supported by the Co-op
10. Any other business
The committee noted that by March 2026 there would be insufficient members to continue. The Chair is going to feed this back to sponsors.
11. Date of next meeting
Likely to be after the UK Chairs meet the Minister in February 2026.