Support for the Armed Forces community in Westmorland and Furness has been strengthened with the appointment of a dedicated Welfare Officer based at Furness General Hospital in Barrow.
The position is part of a partnership between Westmorland and Furness Council, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) and the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS).
Funding for the role has been provided through Westmorland and Furness Council and DMWS, with thanks to grants from the Army Benevolent Fund, Royal Navy Royal Marine Charity, the Veterans’ Foundation and Army Central Fund.
Mark Kenny has now taken up the post, working alongside the hospital’s Discharge Team and in partnership with the council’s Adult Social Care Team to provide practical and emotional support to serving personnel, veterans, reservists and their families and carers.
This new role will help improve access to specialist support for those dealing with physical injuries, mental health issues and other challenges that can cause or exasperate poor wellbeing and may be linked to their time in service.
The DMWS Welfare Officer will work with individuals and their families or carers to assess needs and connect them to services that support:
- Better experiences of healthcare, aiding quicker recovery
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Accessing financial support and safe housing
- Tackling feelings of isolation
- Strategies to reduce alcohol and drug misuse
- Accessing treatment for mental health conditions such as PTSD
- Finding meaningful employment or volunteering opportunities after service
Armed Forces families are encouraged to identify themselves in the hospital setting to help make this partnership a success.
The 12-month project will be monitored and assessed to ensure it makes a difference to Armed Forces families. The partnership was brought together through the Westmorland and Furness Armed Forces Board which exists to strengthen support for the local Armed Forces community.
Mark Kenny, DMWS Welfare Officer, said:
“It's a huge honour to support our local Armed Forces community and I'm very pleased to be working alongside the Discharge Team at Furness General Hospital and Westmorland and Furness Council. If you would like to find out more or reach out for a chat, feel free to come and say hello.”
Councillor Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said:
“It’s fantastic to see this partnership in action with the appointment of a dedicated Welfare Officer at Furness General Hospital, further strengthening the support available to serving personnel, veterans, reservists and their families.
“By working closely with health and social care teams, the Welfare Officer will help deliver an integrated pathway of specialist support, ensuring our Armed Forces community can access the services they need.”
Dee Houghton, Interim Chief Operating Officer, UHMBT, said:
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the DMWS and Westmorland and Furness Council to support members of the Armed Forces community and other frontline workers during critical times of need. This collaboration ensures that patients and their families will receive excellent clinical care and the vital welfare support that can make a real difference to their recovery.
“We are particularly pleased to have Mark Kenny based at Furness General Hospital (FGH) as the DMWS Welfare Officer. Mark’s role will provide compassionate support to our patients and their families, helping them navigate complex situations and access to the resources they need.
“This partnership also demonstrates our Trust’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Covenant and recognising the sacrifices made by those who serve. By working with DMWS, we are helping to bring that covenant to life, ensuring that wounded, injured and sick people receive the highest standard of welfare support alongside their medical treatment. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this collaboration will have across our services and communities.”
