Seriously injured armed forces personnel are being helped to rebuild their lives through the work of a case management company in their support of Help for Heroes.
AJ Case Management has enabled the much-loved charity to build their own case management service, to serve the unique requirements of service men and women who are injured in action and enable them to access the healthcare they need.
In addition to the in-house support they have enabled at Help for Heroes, AJ Case Management supports a number of veterans directly in securing the specialist rehabilitation package for their needs.
The work with Help for Heroes is part of AJ Case Management’s commitment to the armed forces, with the business also being part of the Armed Forces Covenant.
“We were initially approached by Help for Heroes to do a bespoke report for a very seriously injured serviceman, and I think they liked our very pragmatic approach,” says Ali McNamara, clinical director of AJ Case Management.
“Securing a package for someone isn’t about it being all bells and whistles, it’s about making it exactly what they need. We’re very experienced in case management and deliver a holistic service, we know the private sector well so can get the very best package together for the person concerned.
“These men and women have been injured serving us, serving this country, and while the NHS meets their needs in their early recovery, we are helping to take that forward and help these service men and women in rebuilding their lives.
“There’s a big push from major trauma centres at the minute for the NHS and case managers to work collaboratively, and I think our work with Help for Heroes is a great example of how collaboration can work.”
The requirements of service personnel can often be unique, says Ali.
“Very often in case management, it’s a priority to get people back into their own homes, or to find a new suitable home. But often with service personnel, they’re used to living with their mates and fellow personnel, they don’t want to live on their own,” she says.
“I think this is the true person-centredness of what we do, as we’ll always do what’s in the best interests of the client. If they’d rather be part of a community than on their own, then we will support them, and that’s what Help for Heroes is really fantastic at doing. It’s great to work with them.”
Carol Betteridge, head of welfare and clinical services at Help for Heroes, says: “AJ Case Management are a professional, dynamic and efficient case management team. Help for Heroes has employed them to provide holistic assessment and detailed case management to a number of complex cases.
“The veteran population are sometimes a challenge to work with, they have often been left to their own devices or are only being supported by their families. It requires tact and patience to build trust and understand their unique needs.
“AJ Case Management have demonstrated their ability to do this whilst understanding the need for flexible and innovative thinking to ensure the veterans receive the care they deserve.
“They also have the ability to think out of the box as veterans do not receive the financial assistance that some civilian cases receive. As well as ensuring statutory services are in place, they ensure any private care gives value for money.”
Having signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, AJ Case Management’s proximity to RAF Cosford means they are committed to offering opportunities to former military people and current reservists, as well as to the partners of serving service personnel.
“We like to do things differently here and look at the bigger world and how we can help. Through the Armed Forces Covenant, we have the platform to offer training and careers to those who have links with the forces and support them in building a career for themselves,” says Ali.
“For many who leave the army, they’re used to having a really active life and the opportunity of working with clients with brain injury is very varied. It could be things like supporting young men in going to the gym, not what people may have in mind as a ‘traditional’ role in health and social care.
“One of our team was a medic on the frontline but when you leave the forces, those skills aren’t transferable, so she’s building a new career with us. Also, for women with children whose husband is serving, we can offer opportunities there too.
“It’s a great way of us supporting our local community too, being so close to RAF Cosford, and being part of the Armed Forces Covenant is something we’re really proud to do.”
