Members of the Armed Forces community in Westmorland and Furness are invited to attend a new series of support drop ins run by Mark Kenny, the local Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) Welfare Officer.
The drop-ins provide a welcoming, confidential space for anyone seeking advice, guidance accessing services, or simply a safe place to talk.
Mark can offer practical and emotional support on a wide range of issues, including:
- Stress, anxiety, and depression
- Money and housing worries
- Loneliness and isolation
- Physical healthcare needs
- Relationship and family issues
- Bereavement and end-of-life care
Drop-in sessions will be available at:
- The Bridge, Portland Walk, Barrow – on the second Friday of each month, 12pm to 3pm.
- Family Hub, Barrow Library (Holland Room) – on selected Mondays: 23rd March, 20th April and 18th May, 12pm to 2pm. The provision of these Monday sessions will be reviewed to consider extending beyond these dates.
No appointment is needed; attendees are welcome to drop in at any time during the sessions.
The DMWS Welfare Officer role is funded and delivered through a partnership between Westmorland and Furness Council, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT), and 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.
Working alongside the Discharge Team at Furness General Hospital and the council’s Adult Social Care Team, Mark provides tailored welfare support to serving personnel, veterans, reservists, and their families and carers.
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:
“I am delighted to get out into the community representing DMWS. It’s an honour to serve our veterans and Armed Forces personnel, as well as their families, carers, and our blue light workers. Supporting people with physical, mental, and financial difficulties as well as our digital inclusion project is something we’re very passionate about – we are here for our veterans, to get them the help they deserve. They have given so much to their country, and it’s our duty to ensure they are well looked after.”
Cllr Vicky Hughes, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, Active Wellbeing and the Armed Forces, said:
“We are committed to ensuring that our Armed Forces community can access the right support at the right time. These drop ins offer a safe and welcoming space for people to ask questions, seek advice and talk to someone who understands the challenges they may be facing. We are grateful to DMWS and our partners for helping to deliver such a valuable service for serving personnel, veterans and their families.”
For more information, you can contact Mark Kenny on 07302 009 825 or mkenny@dmws.org.uk.
To find out more about the council’s support for the Armed Forces community, visit westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk or email armedforces@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.