On this page you will find information about:
- What Op NOVA does.
- Who Op NOVA can support and how to apply.
- How to access support from Op NOVA in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
What is Op NOVA?
Op NOVA supports ex-service personnel in England who are in contact with the justice system, whether they have been arrested, imprisoned or are at risk of offending.
After leaving service, many people struggle with the change in lifestyle and miss the structure of life in the Armed Forces.
Op NOVA's team is made up of understanding people who have served in the Armed Forces, as well as partners, children and parents of those who have served. Its caseworkers can listen to your circumstances as a whole and find solutions across your experience, including addressing housing needs and employment. Op NOVA is delivered by the Forces Employment Charity.
Find out more about Op NOVA on the Forces Employment Charity website.
Who can receive support from Op NOVA?
While specifically aiming to support ex-service personnel in England who have a connection with the justice system, Op NOVA works generally across all needs and looks to deliver practical and emotional support to help individuals get their lives back on track.
Op NOVA's staff undertake a needs assessment for each individual and put in place specialist support from the network of military charities and other relevant organisations.
If you are a veteran who has served in the British Armed Forces for at least one day, and you live in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, you could be eligible for support from Op NOVA.
How to access support
Find out how to get in touch with Op NOVA and access support in the UK Nation that you live in.
England
Get in touch with Op NOVA England via:
- Telephone: 0800 917 7299
- Email: [email protected]
Find out more about how to contact Op NOVA on the Forces Employment Charity website.
Northern Ireland
NOVA supports veterans in the justice system in Northern Ireland. They scheme can provide emotional, practical, and specialist support to veterans at any stage of the justice pathway.
NOVA Northern Ireland has been developed by the Forces Employment Charity in partnership with police, probation and other local and statutory organisations.
Get in touch with NOVA Northern Ireland via:
- Telephone: 0800 917 7299
- Email: [email protected]
Find out more about how to contact Op NOVA on the Forces Employment Charity website.
Scotland
NOVA Scotland supports veterans who are in the justice system to help them address their challenges and rebuild their lives.
The scheme is run by the Forces Employment Charity in collaboration with Police Scotland, the Scottish Prison Service, and Criminal Justice Social Work teams from the 32 local authorities in Scotland.
Learn more about NOVA Scotland on the Forces Employment Charity website.
Get in touch with Op NOVA Scotland via:
- Telephone: 0800 917 7299
- Email: [email protected]
Find out more about how to contact Op NOVA on the Forces Employment Charity website.
Wales
NOVA Wales currently supports Veterans who are in contact with the justice system in South Wales, with plans to roll out wider services across the country.
The scheme offers specialist support and intervention to help ex-service personnel in the justice system to address their underlying issues and rebuild their lives.
Find out more about NOVA Wales on the Forces Employment Charity website.
Get in touch with Op NOVA Wales via:
- Telephone: 0800 917 7299
- Email: [email protected]
Find out more about how to contact Op NOVA on the Forces Employment Charity website.
Other support services
Op RESTORE: The Veterans physical health and wellbeing service
Op RESTORE supports anyone who is living with a physical injury or illness that was caused by their time in the Armed Forces.
The service could help you access welfare and non-clinical support, ensuring you have access to the care you need within the NHS, and put together a care plan specifically for your needs.
Op COURAGE: The NHS veterans mental health and wellbeing service
Op COURAGE helps currently serving, ex-service personnel and those who are transitioning into civilian life, to access the support and treatment that they need to support their mental health.
The service can help you obtain a diagnosis and provide specialist support for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Find out more about Op COURAGE and how it could help you obtain a diagnosis here on the RBL website.
Op FORTITUDE: Support pathway for ex-service personnel experiencing homelessness
Op FORTITUDE helps to connect members of the Armed Forces Community who are experiencing homelessness to a support network.
This network includes housing providers, charities, and local authorities which will help individuals address their risk of homelessness by either helping them stay in their current accommodation or find new housing options.
Learn more about Op FORTITUDE and the support that the service provides here on the RBL website.
Op ASCEND: employment support for veterans and their families
Op Ascend is an Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) programme which is delivered by the Forces Employment Charity.
The programme provides veterans and their families with opportunities to gain meaningful employment. This includes support with CV writing, interview preparation, employment fairs and advice on setting up a business.
