Expansion of Veterans’ and Families’ Hub Network
In a landmark move to improve support for veterans and their families across NSW, RSL LifeCare, in collaboration with RSL NSW, is set to receive grants to expand their Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs across NSW.
The Australian Government funding for four new Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs, forms part of a larger $46.7 million initiative aimed at establishing ten new Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs nationally, marking a significant milestone in the Government’s commitment to improve services and support access for their current and ex-servicemen and women.
The latest announcement unveils plans for a new Hub in the Tweed-North Coast region, on top of the recently approved Hubs in Queanbeyan, Hunter and a network spanning from Hawkesbury to South Western Sydney. In total, these developments are poised to dramatically enhance the welfare and support systems available to over 84,500 veterans and their families across these regions, addressing a wide array of needs from health and wellbeing to education, housing, employment, and financial assistance.
Veterans or families of veterans confused or unsure of the support available to them will simply be able to approach their local Hub and access a one-stop-shop of vital services.
Central to RSL LifeCare Veteran Services strategy is the innovative ‘hub-and-spoke’ model – a community-centric approach connecting the network of RSL sub-Branches as the spokes to their local Hub. The model ensures that Hubs act as primary care centres, with sub-Branches augmenting services through flexible and innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of veterans and their families.
Last year, RSL NSW sub-Branches donated $3.3 million to RSL LifeCare to ensure that veterans and their families continue to receive free critical services and support, including access to local Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh, has been travelling around NSW announcing the new Hubs. The Minister highlighted the importance of accessibility and the provision of local service to communities, emphasising the value of the expanding network of Hubs for national best practice sharing and support.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said: “It’s so important that these Hubs are easily accessible to local communities and that they’ve got good access to services and support close to home.
“I’m so glad to see the consultation that’s been undertaken with the local veteran communities to make sure we get these Hubs right; we want to make sure all Hubs are tailored to the unique needs of their local veterans and families.”
“I’m confident that the network of Hubs being developed by RSL LifeCare across NSW will be of great value to the national Hub network, where best practice learnings and supports can be shared.”
RSL LifeCare CEO Janet Muir thanked the Department of Veteran Affairs for recognising the importance of veterans in NSW receiving the care and support that they need.
“RSL LifeCare, alongside RSL NSW, is dedicated to supporting Australian Defence Force personnel who have given so much to protect our country, and these new Hubs ensure that thousands of these veterans will now have greater access to this support,” Ms Muir said.
RSL NSW President Mick Bainbridge said “RSL NSW is committed to supporting RSL LifeCare’s Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs because we know they work.
“The expansion of Hubs in locations with significant Defence and veteran communities is a strong step in the right direction to bolstering the support we deliver to Australian servicemen and women, and their families.”
RSL LifeCare Veteran Services will collaborate and consult with ex-service organisations and local providers at each of these Hubs to offer a holistic model for the delivery of critical services and support at the centre of the Veterans’ and Families’ Hub strategy.
