RSL Launching Digital Catalogue of Services for Veterans

THE Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) is introducing a pilot program to enable veterans and their families to more effectively access vital services and support to improve their lives.

The RSL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Australian veteran-owned technology provider, Servulink, to pilot the 12-month digital ‘Catalogue of Services’ initiative.

RSL Australia President Greg Melick said the League recognised the need to deliver on new solutions for veterans and their families, and the ‘Catalogue of Services’ presented an innovative use of technology to provide timely information about where services are in any area through an app and web-based system.

The Servulink platform has been endorsed by the Departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Defence and is supported by hundreds of veteran support organisations and charities nationally.

“Servulink offers an online, agile, user-friendly solution that can be further developed and easily adjusted during the year-long pilot,” Greg Melick said.

“The Australian veteran service and support environment is large, diverse and complex, comprising some 2800 ex-service organisations, and approximately 4000 registered charities nation-wide. There is also a growing number of government and corporate entities focused on supporting and employing veterans,” he said.

“Identifying the relevant local support and services for particular needs can be challenging, often resulting in service delivery failure, confusion, frustration, and negative mental health impacts – ironically among the very people that these services are designed to assist.

“Servulink is a unique Australian social enterprise, using technology to transform the national veteran support landscape by connecting Australian veterans and their families to the services, support, and communities they need.

“It is a digital solution specifically designed to help overcome the complexity many veterans face when seeking support, making it easier for them to identify and access vital services wherever they may be.”

Veteran and Servulink Co-Founder, Matt Brennan, said the catalogue would empower veterans and their families to successfully discover and navigate the network of support and services available, accessing those they need, when and where they need them.”

“The pilot project will integrate RSL sub-branches nationally, alongside the hundreds of high-value Australian veteran-and-family supporting organisations already part of Servulink’s existing national digital service catalogue,” Mr Brennan said.

“The Servulink platform combines services and support available across a range of holistic wellbeing, personal, professional, community network and family needs. Providers are geographically located, along with their key contact and navigation details.”

Greg Melick said the current Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide provided a strong focus on the need to deliver clear and easy access to mental health, general health and other support services for veterans and their families.

“This is an important need for all veterans and is particularly urgent for our younger veteran community.

“Servulink will facilitate access to services tailored to best meet individual and family needs in a simple and stress-free manner.”

“The RSL Digital Catalogue of Services pilot will enable veterans to quickly find, navigate and access the right services and support at the right time for them, their families and their mates, anywhere in Australia – improving lives every day.”

Greg Melick welcomed the collaboration that is also occurring between RSL and Legacy, Bravery Trust, Soldier On, and War Widows so that these organisations will also share data on the catalogue.

“This is a real example of the Ex-Service Organisation (ESOs) working together to support veterans and their families.

“Importantly, the platform has the flexibility to allow for other applications being developed by other ESOs and veterans through the pilot year of the project.”

“The pilot provides a valuable opportunity to ease the existing complexities involved in navigating information within the sector; using technology to transform the national veteran support landscape.” Greg Melick said.