East Durham Veterans Trust - Seaham

Alan Dixon

It’s been about a year or more since I first called in at East Durham Veterans, mainly just to see what it was all about. I initially met Andy, who welcomed me warmly and then introduced me to other members of the team who filled in my registration over coffee.

Over the year, I’ve attended on Fridays and taken part in wood-carving, model making and music groups making many friends, after which I’ve enjoyed a fabulous free meal in good company. I’ve also enjoyed a family day out to Beamish museum. Sometimes I’ve just chatted to others about nothing and everything, agreeing, disagreeing, bantering or just listening. Later this year I will be taking part in fire walking - one of the many, many fund-raising events which EDVT organises to continue developing their services.

For me, EDVT has always been welcoming, encouraging and supportive not only with their social inclusion activities but also in being able to mix with others with not dissimilar backgrounds. During my short time I’ve become aware of the many groups and services available such as the allotment, the photography group, the walking groups, the mental health support day to mention a few.

Although it’s a long time ago since my service days (RN 1971-78 and RNR 1978-81), I found the transition to civilian life very hard, as I know many others do, and even after a successful 36 year career with social services there was always something about military life I missed. In my case, thank you EDVT for restoring that for me. And thank you also for the amazingly incredible services you provide for all of us who attend. I’m at the point I can’t ever remember not coming!

4 Paws Unleashed

We met some of your veterans this morning had a lovely chat as were Veterans ourselves and they met some of our lovely dogs

c m

i came across the East Durham Veterans Trust online about a year ago, my husband is a veteran and i thought this would be somewhere he could meet up and have a laugh with other veterans as he enjoys company and i work long hours..we both went to the centre, had a chat with the fantastic staff..and the rest is history, my husband is there 2 or 3 times a week now and he loves it and we have been on some amazing free trips and attended lots of events. Absolutely amazing place and staff, very friendly, helpful and accommodating, what's not to like. Any veterans out there please take the time to check them out, you'll be so glad you did.

Gazz Todd

A place of pure inspiration and positivity for veterans of the armed forces struggling to survive in a civilian world. Regardless of your own circumstances, the staff at East Durham Veterans welcome you with care, understanding and superb professionalism to help veterans in their hour of need. The support I receive from East Durham Veterans is nothing less than outstanding and are making a huge impact on my road to recovery. THANK YOU !!!❤️

jo little

Been coming to the Trust since October 2023, at which point my fiance and I were struggling. We have been helped tremendously by the staff and fellow veterans, in councelling and social inclusion etc. We have even made steps to move to Seaham to be closer to our 'safe haven', and also the new friends we have made here.
Thanks to all at the hub.

Paula Leadbitter

I can't thank EDVT enough for all the help they have gave us. A few months ago my husband and I walked through the doors and they've changed our lives. I don't know how we would have coped without them. We have had counselling, reiki and acupuncture and we are so much mentally better for it. My husband attends various sessions during the week, working at the allotment, peer 2 peer group, woodwork, mates and bates. Every memeber at the Hub are so friendly, welcoming and genuine people and definitely deserve recognition.

andrew cammiss

I am the founder and CEO of this charity, we fulfilled the gap that was needed in County Durham. We supply addiction and mental health support for the veteran community supporting over 550 veterans in 3 years, with 80% showing a moderate or significent increase in their mental health after attending our service. We offer reiki and acupunture. all of our services are free to the veterans and their families of the North East

darren turner

Sorry, I feel Andy is misleading the community a tad on this, or he is incapable of telling the truth. Thus as the service user at that time, my understanding is my wife did not request any personal information under the scope of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and that Andy is blatantly using as a device to disregard the true feedback my wife was stating. Instead of accepting the feedback and looking to improve upon the service he provides, he rather bury his head in the sand saying GDPR. Rest assured, I am committed to addressing and rectifying this issue and call the Trusties of East Durham Veterans Trust to contact my wife directly and look at the statement she issued and confirm if anything GDPR is an acceptable use to ignore constructive feedback.

Update:

Andy

I appreciate your prompt response regarding the GDPR concerns we discussed in our previous communication. While I understand and acknowledge your dedication to adhering to proper procedures and complying with the law, I maintain a different perspective on the matter.

Firstly, I want to clarify that when my wife inquired about me in her email, she did not 'request or require any personal information to be shared'. It is important to recognise that this distinction aligns with the GDPR principles. Given this context, I believe it would have been reasonable for you to have provide a general update without disclosing any sensitive details. Such an approach could have addressed her concerns effectively without violating any privacy regulations, which I perceive as the stance you continue to rely on.

Furthermore, I acknowledge your suggestion of meeting in person to discuss matters further. However, it is essential to emphasise that my initial experience with East Durham Veterans Trust was inadequate due to false promises and poor communication completely on your part. Consequently, Jo encountered difficulties persuading me to consider a second attempt. Therefore, I feel that the subsequent offer of support and the involvement of a caseworker are distinct matters and do not directly address the concerns raised by Jo and me regarding your initial response, which you claimed to be GDPR related.
As Jo expressed in her communication with you, we have decided not to maintain any further involvement with a Trust whose CEO resorts to invoking GDPR when no personal information was requested or required to be shared. This decision reflects our dissatisfaction with the situation and will not respond further.

Our advise to any future service users is to seek support elsewhere. We have a right as those who may have had a different outlook to openly place a review.