Pilot Veterans’ Services Program a Success
The pilot of the ‘Veterans’ Catalogue’ launched by the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) in partnership with Servulink has been hailed as a success.
The online catalogue connects veterans and their families to the complex range of services available to them throughout Australia.
The Australian veteran service and support environment is large, diverse, and complex, comprising some 2,800 ex-service organisations and approximately 4,000 registered charities nationwide.
“The RSL recognised the need to deliver new solutions for veterans and their families, and the Veterans’ Catalogue represented an innovative use of technology to provide timely information about the availability of services,” said RSL Australia President Greg Melick.
The 12-month pilot of the Veterans’ Catalogue was launched in the second half of last year and attracted more than 8,000 users over the past nine months who engaged 1,127 service providers across 12 categories more than 35,000 times.
“We took a lead in the ex-service organisation space to develop something of value for the veteran community, and the RSL thanks all the service providers and other ESOs who participated in the pilot.”
Following the conclusion of the pilot, Servulink is sustaining the Veterans’ Catalogue for veterans, service personnel and their families. All RSL sub-branch information will remain on the Veterans’ Catalogue platform, and providers who have opted in are also encouraged to remain on the platform so that veterans can access services.
“We still see a need for veterans and their families to access trusted services to connect to areas of need ranging from camaraderie to care. This need has been particularly identified for those in transition from military service, advocates supporting veterans, and veterans and families across the board who may need support throughout their lives.”
Greg Melick said Servulink had been a valued partner in the pilot and the RSL extended its thanks for its collaboration and passion in designing and operating the platform, as well as to those who had provided feedback.
Servulink Co-Founder Matt Brennan said: “The achievements and positive outcomes from the 12-month pilot for our veterans and their families are clear. They are unmistakable validation of our vision and evidence of the value and potential of the platform for veterans and their families. We thank RSL Australia for this great collaboration.”
The pilot program will now be examined, and the feedback will be reviewed. Evidence and submissions presented to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide highlighted the need for such a service, and potential recommendations from the Royal Commission will determine the optimal way forward.
