Care After Combat 'Changing Lives'

Care after Combat's Volunteer Coordinator David Williams, Swansea Sound presenter Kevin Johns and Care after Combat's regional manager Rob Nicholls

Veterans charity claims it's saving the UK Government just over £12m a year with its mentor work with those in the criminal justice system.

Care after Combat's mission is to support any veteran that signs up for the Phoenix project.

Rob Nicholls, the charity's Regional Manager for South Wales and the West told us: "We've been working with the veterans this year supporting them and mentoring them. We liaise with other agencies as well - coming up with action plans and putting them together. Then we work with the veterans when they are released from their custodial sentence. We follow them for 12 months, get them into housing, accommodation, look after their health and well-being. Then hopefully get them into employment.

"It's been really successful this year. We've dealt with 26 veterans successfully, as of now, which saves the UK Government £9,000 per week, per veteran - that we don't have re-offending. So, we've saved the Government just over £12 million this year."

LISTEN to interview here: 

How is Care after Combat funded?

Rob Nicholls told us: "The UK Government did give us a million pounds through the Libor fund in 2016, but we have had nothing since. Jim Davidson our CEO is in discussions with them. 

"Jim does a huge amount of fundraising for the charity - he is currently on tour and has a big show at the Evertim Apollo next Monday. We also have a lot of big events throughout the year. Recently we came back from the Pyrenees - there's the Pickle Ride and we have a few events on top of those, a yomp and tab  will also take place in Dartmoor in 2019."

At the start of the Championship season Swansea City Football Club hosted Care after Combat Day at the Liberty Stadium.

? | @CareafterCombat is today's featured charity...

Say 'hi' at today's game. ?https://t.co/A5iWDVjg8O

— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) August 25, 2018

The charity will also be holding its first charity ball in South Wales at Celtic Manor on May the 3rd 2019.

Care after Combat's work has been recognised in the House of Commons. Tom Pursglove, MP, recently praised the team and their efforts to rehabilitate those in the prison system. 

In Justice Qs I was pleased to commend the incredible work that @CareafterCombat & @JimDOfficial are doing with veterans in prison on rehabilitation. I asked @RoryStewartUK if he would ensure that this charity can access the funding it needs to continue & expand their vital work. pic.twitter.com/YXT4izpCsY

— Tom Pursglove MP (@VotePursglove) November 22, 2018

Care after Combat's full Welsh report will be out in the new year.

For more details about the work Care after Combat does click the link: http://www.careaftercombat.org/