Inside the Vale's Veterans Services with Abigail Warburton

The UK Government recently announced its 2022 list of winners for the ‘Defence Employer Recognition Scheme’.

Among the winners listed this year were several Welsh local authorities, including the Vale of Glamorgan.

The award recognises employers who proactively support the Armed Forces and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant. Some of the ways the Vale has done this is by providing extra paid leave for reservists and having supportive HR policies in place for veterans and volunteers.

There are currently only 156 organisations throughout the whole of the UK that have achieved this award and there is a lot of hard work involved in achieving this status.

One of the key players involved in this work is Veteran Advice Officer, Abigail Warburton.

Abigail’s day-to-day work is to provide free and impartial advice and support to members of the Armed Forces community, covering a wide range of issues including benefits, social care, finance, employment and housing. This includes working directly with current-serving members of the armed forces, veterans and their families.

As well as this work, Abigail is also the Armed Forces Liaison Officer for both the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Cardiff Council and is responsible for strengthening local authority delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant and for raising awareness of the Armed Forces Covenant and the Welsh Government package of support across the authorities.

When asked about her work and day-to-day routine, Abigail said: “Every day is different and so is everyone I meet; I deal with a lot of different people and enquiries.

“I have regular online meetings with different focus groups, I meet people face to face to help fill in forms or to give advice. I attend Veteran Groups through the week and weekends and support the armed forces veteran and the family where needed.

“I also attend Armed Forces events and was honoured to be part of the Queens Jubilee Royal 21 Gun Salute and the Homecoming parade where I met The Prince of Wales.”

Abigail has been working for the Council for over 16 years, and in that time has worked and trained in many areas including Housing Benefits, Council Tax, Adult First Response, Universal Credit and Customer Services, as well as many others.

Abigail continued: “I really enjoy what I do and if it can make a difference to someone’s quality of life then this is the most rewarding, whether it be financial or social inclusion, bringing people together in the Veteran groups and seeing someone that may be socially isolated without support engaging with others in the group is very heart warming.

“I get to meet some amazing people of all ages and learning their individual story which is a privilege.

On some of the more challenging aspects of the role, Abigail said: “The majority will transition without any issues and will find work and housing but for some the change into civilian life can be a challenge.

“It is not easy to leave active service and manage finances and accommodation when this is something that has been all arranged for you in the Armed Forces. Some need that extra help to manage whether it be from the day they leave or a few years down the line.

The Vale has held many commemorations to remember those that gave their lives and served their country.

The Vale Council was the first to sign the Community Covenant back in 2011 and is always trying to improve the commitment to the Armed Forces Community and have a dedicated Veteran Advice Service.