Any veteran-focused organisation will want to ensure it is proactive in making the whole veteran community feel confident in accessing its services and support, knowing, that when they do, they can be assured they will be treated with dignity, respect and understanding.
Fighting With Pride is a trusted and respected LGBT+ military charity that has lived experience and knowledge to support organisations wanting to develop or improve their LGBT+ welcome and support services. LGBT+ Veterans, serving personnel and families will be more confident approaching support organisations where they see a marker that assures them of a welcome reception.
The Pride in Veterans Standard (PiVS)is a programme developed by Fighting with Pride, open to any organisation that provides Veterans support or services who are committed to being inclusive and welcoming to LGBT+ Veterans, serving personnel and their families.
To engage successfully, organisations need to be understanding of the experience of LGBT+ Veterans, and how their experiences of the “gay ban” may impact them on accessing services or support. Organisations need to be ready to be able to provide services in a supportive and empathetic way that meets the specific needs of our LGBT+ community.
Being part of PiVS demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to delivering the highest standards for LGBT+ Veteran inclusion. PiVS organisations will:
FWP understands that organisations will be at different stages of their LGBT+ inclusion journey and the support offered through PiVS is designed to help you progress on that journey.
Working with FWP and being part of PiVS is a very visible and practical way to show that:
FWP will constantly look at ways we can support organisations to help them deliver to the standard. This includes:
We welcome any organisation that provides support or services, to Veterans, serving personnel and their families to commit to the PiVS.
On joining PiVS we ask organisations to tell us what they are doing or plan to do, to meet the standard, this will help us be able to tailor the support we offer an organisation. In addition, at year 1 renewal organisations self-assess against the standard followed by an assessment led by FWP at year 2 renewal.
This allows FWP to have confidence that organisations are committed, in a very practical way, to PiVS, as well as enabling us to continually support, guide and offer best practices to organisations in areas that may need development.
It is important to FWP that the real experience of veterans reflects PiVS when accessing support. If you feel it hasn’t, you can let us know at pivs@fightingwithpride.org.uk.
FWP will:
Learn more from Combat Stress about what it means for them to be a PiVS Organisation