Is H4H doing enough for Welsh soldiers and families ?

**jcj** · 14-10-2010, 15:34

Todays Glamorgan Gazette

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/so...1466-27466182/

And from page 5

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/so...1466-27466439/

**ap1** · 14-10-2010, 16:31

Thanks Colin.

This has been going on for a little while. Some sniping aimed at H4H has appeared on Facebook, some of it from Ex RWF. A couple of personal thoughts on this. Firstly H4H is massive and they have real public support. They need to ensure the funds they distribute are spread evenly across the UK in all different health sectors wherever possible. If they are already doing so, then they need to make that clear.

Secondly, surely the fault for a lack of provision for PTSD sufferers in Wales lies with the government, not a popular charity. I think in some ways the financial support provided by H4H is letting UK PLC off the hook. If they can afford to lead their soldiers to the field of conflict, then the country should be prepared to fund the aftermath.

**Gwyn Nicholas** · 14-10-2010, 17:00

Al, whilst agreeing with your point that the responsibility should lay with the Government, the point really is that Government past and present were/are not doing enough which is why I thought H4H was started in the first place. As a charity H4H must be seen to be fair in its distribution of donations across the board and if that is not so it should be brought to light and put right quickly before it loses the support is currently enjoys. It would not be the first charity to be found wanting or bias in its distribution of funds. That spokeswoman mentioned some donations being made in Wales including 1 million pounds in a single donation....that in the scheme of things is small coal considering how much is being raised. I wonder if our Scottish cousins have been as lucky. I'm afraid the comment that they take advice and guidance from the MOD, really does not inspire confidence. I think there should be an investigation into the charity, if it is believed that the distribution of donations is unfair or bias if for no other reason than to clear the air before support for a great cause drops off.

**ap1** · 14-10-2010, 17:26

Your right Gwyn, the government weren't doing enough. Therefore the onus should be on them to provide the treatment centres, perhaps with assistance from groups like H4H. The Golden Grove is a Welsh based charity and as they state, they wish all their monies raised to be used in Wales, thats fair enough. However assuming that the english population(50 million) is as generous as its Welsh counterparts(3 Million), Wales could find its self seriously out of pocket if the H4H money is divvied up like that.

I agree with the sentiments raised about the lack of PTSD provision in Wales, i'm just not sure attacking H4H is the way forward to achieve that.

**Gwyn Nicholas** · 14-10-2010, 19:54

I agree that a like for like divvi up per populous would leave Wales "out of pocket". However, I dont think that the people of this country who made their generous donations did so with borders in mind. From what have read (I have no other reference), The Golden grove is a charity trying to give something in Wales that is not otherwise available - in Wales. To seek a grant from H4H seems to me a justified request, we are afterall on the same side. The H4H site clearly shows its plans for Personnel Recovery Centres, three in the South of England three in the North and one in NI. Wales on that map, looks like it a neutral country. It is no wonder that charities might argue that there is an imbalance. There are many charities doing wonderful things for our guys and gals all with the same aim and i am sure with H4H help they could do more on a more local level which is hugely important. An example of a young charity doing some great work is at www.thebaton.co.uk started by my barber who has his own thoughts on looking after our troops and families. An amazing guy who is also the local Hospice champion. I would never seek to attack H4H they do great work but their ideas are not the only ideas. Other people want to help where they can and where perhaps, they can identify when the welfare of a Serviceman/woman is not being addressed.

**bennyball2** · 14-10-2010, 20:39

There is funding from WAG it may not be a lot but at least it is a start:

A pilot project to support veterans experiencing mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder, as a result of their service, has been extended across Wales. The project was initially funded by £135,000 from the Assembly Government and Ministry of Defence.

The new, all-Wales service will be funded fully by the Assembly Government with an investment of £485,000 a year.

Smokeyjoe · 17-10-2010, 22:43

Hello all,
I have never heard of this particular charity Golden Grove, having been involved with two major millitary charities I am aware of the proplems that can appear when a small charity seeks funding from a larger charity it almost always depends on how an application is made for funds.
From the two articles which I have read Golden Grove do not appear to have made an application to H4Hs, on this occassion I would say hold until more details are available.
A second point I would make is that there appear to be some small groups who wish to help with PTSD suffers, I belive rightly or wrongly that there have been some professionals trying to make money out of a very serious condition which has led to naive people trying to raise funds to pay for treatment.
I have no reason to doubt that the Golden Grove charity is doing there best to help ex sevice suffering from PTSD, as I have said hold fire against friendly targets.
Regards,
Joe.

Davies GW · 22-10-2010, 08:26

Just a little cautionary tale about smaller charities. I don't mean to cast aspersions to any of the charities mentioned in this thread, I'm sure that they are worthy causes and the people involved are honest and decent people with others best interest at their heart.

Recently I was asked to help support a charity called Soldiers Off our Streets (SOTS). It aims to help homeless ex servicemen and women to get decent accomodation. As aspirations go great. When I googled the charity it appears that it was set up by the ex bodyguard of BNP leader Nick Griffin, it has set up stands at BNP events and is listed on a Tory website as an "astroturf organisation." Astroturf organisations are organistions that appear to be something that they are not. Further research, reveals that SOTS is registered with the Charities Commission and a complaint has been lodged about furtive political connections, the Charity Commission did investigate and found no evidence. Saying that, do I really want to help a charity set up by a chap who was so intimately involved with right wing politics? Not really, there aims maybe good but I'd rather give my money to charities I can 100% guarantee have no hidden agendas.

Golden Groves and H4H both seem like worthy causes and if the collecting tin is shoved in front of me, my wallet will open.

**ap1** · 22-10-2010, 09:32

Smaller charities like Golden Groves have very laudable aims. However attacking H4H publicly will not assist them in achieving them. When I read articles like the ones Colin highlighted , it makes me less inclined to contribute, as I worry about their business acumen and who is advising them.

Incidentally we now potentially have two RWF Officers involved in H4H within Wales, Pip Hughes is doing fantastic work in N. Wales. It also appears that Ifan Price Edwards may be about the start looking after Mid Wales. If that does happen, what a team!!! I would say that lobbying guys like that, sensibly with well thought out strategies is the way to further a charities aim.

**Gwyn Nicholas** · 22-10-2010, 10:24

I totally agree Al, this charity do appear to be cutting off their noses to spite their face but I suspect it was a knee jerk response to their disappointment rather than a plan to discredit H4H. They appear to be a young charity and perhaps have much to learn (we have all said things in the heat of the moment that we later regretted). I'm sure it will soon blow over if it has not already done so. I still believe that it is healthy for any charity to get a wake up up call from time to time to let them know that they may come under scrutiny, it keeps them sharp. I will be very suprised if it does not happen again with another small charity elswhere. I remember vaguely the Salvation Army having waggy fingers being pointed and accusations being made. They survived to continue their fantastic work and I'm sure H4H will do the same albeit with the odd petty jealousy or moan about equality of fund distribution. I bet their (H4H) spokesperson will come up with a better response the next time, and perhaps allow a charity to send in an application before telling them they will not get anything (I refer to the articles that Colin posted). That surely was also ill advised and perhaps was the reason for the knee jerk response.