Rachel Hopkins MP, Shadow Minister for Veterans and Defence People Visits Forward Assist & Salute Her UK.

We were delighted to host a visit from Rachel Hopkins MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Veterans and Defence People.

Visiting Forward Assist allowed Rachel to see first-hand the variety of support and guidance they provide to veterans, as well as specialist support for those who suffered in-service sexual assault. Founder and Chief Executive, Tony Wright, gave Rachel a tour of their HQ and introduced Rachel to their Women Veterans Lead and Veterans Family First Worker. In June, Forward Assist reported that they have seen an increase in referrals from ex-military personnel since the beginning of the war in Ukraine with symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Rachel was joined on both visits by Sharon Hodgson MP, MP for Washington and Sunderland West and Parliamentary Private Secretary to Keir Starmer MP, and Councillor Andy Newman, North Tyneside Councillor and Labour Friends of the Forces, joined the visit to Forward Assist.