Northern Ireland VAPC information leaflet (accessible format)
Updated 16 July 2020
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Northern Ireland Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee (VAPC)
VAPCs are Advisory Non-departmental Public Bodies. They work independently from the Ministry of Defence in support of the veterans’ community.
Statutory Purpose of VAPCs
- assistance to individual veterans
- create awareness of veterans’ needs
- reviewing government initiatives regarding the veterans community
- provide informed, factual and regional advice for ministers
- independent responses to veterans’ needs and issues within their particular region
Activities of the Northern Ireland VAPC
Chairmen and members of this independent committee of voluntary members are appointed on a 3 year term by the Secretary of State. The committee has 5 functional roles:
1. Advocates for Veterans in support of the Armed Forces Covenant by:
- building on the local support services outlined in the Armed Forces Community and Corporate Covenants
- monitor and seek to improve cross-government support
- work with local authorities, the NHS and others to raise awareness
- help to develop and improve the care and support veterans and their families need
2. Raising awareness in Northern Ireland of the:
- War Pensions Scheme, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and the Veterans Welfare Service
- assist and guide individuals in accessing the schemes
- provide an independent element to the Veterans UK formal complaints process relating to these schemes
- contribute to independent complaints panels as and when required
3. Engage with regional partners to:
- promote the services that they provide to veterans
- seek to strengthen and improve public and voluntary sector regional activities in areas such as health, housing, employment
- playing a central role in promoting the interests and welfare of veterans and their families
4. Enable and foster
consultation on issues affecting those within Northern Ireland entitled to payments under the War Pension/Armed Forces Compensation Schemes between:
- the Secretary of State
- the Ministry of Defence
- Veterans UK
- Armed Forces Covenant Team
5. Support Veterans UK by:
- monitoring its welfare service to provide independent quality assurances
- raising its profile in liaison with other regional organisations with a view to ensuring that the welfare needs of veterans and their dependents are suitably addressed
Message from Kingsley Donaldson, Chairman Northern Ireland VAPC
The Royal British Legion has identified that the armed forces community numbers some 7.5 million people nationwide. Here in Northern Ireland we provide a home for a substantial number of these.
Whilst the majority of servicemen and women leave and cope well with life as a civilian, a significant minority face severe challenges with health, welfare, housing, finance and relationship issues. We exist to work with this population and can do this better with your help.
As one of a 13 strong network of VAPCs nationwide, we can provide informed independent advice and examples of best practice to local government, health authorities and other service providers in the community as well as to industry and commerce: our stakeholders.
We hope we can work together to develop and deliver the support our veterans and their families deserve.
Contact us
Email us at: NIVAPC@causewayinstitute.com