RSL to Introduce A Catalogue of Services for Veterans
The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) is working to introduce a pilot program to enable veterans and their families to more effectively access vital services and support to improve their lives.
The RSL has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Australian veteran-owned technology provider, Servulink, to pilot the 12-month digital ‘Catalogue of Services’ initiative.
The project would address a need outlined by the Chief of Defence Angus Campbell this week when he appeared before the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
RSL Australia President Greg Melick said the League also 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 strongly supported by the Departments of Veterans’ Affairs and Defence and is recognised by hundreds of veteran support organisations and charities nationally. The RSL and Servulink stand ready to brief Defence chiefs and other officials on the initiative.
“Servulink offers an online, agile, user-friendly solution that can be further developed and easily adjusted during the year-long pilot,” Greg Melick said.
“Ex-service organisations interested in participating in the initiative and wanting to register for the project can do so via https://www.servulink.com.au/registration-welcome-2021,” he 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.
“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 that can transform the national veteran support landscape by connecting Australian veterans and their families to the services, support, and communities they need.
“It offers 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 evidence and submissions to Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and particularly this week’s testimony by the Defence Force Chief highlighted the need for such a service. “We are now stepping up our efforts with Servulink to launch the project and bring the initiative on stream as a matter of urgency,” Greg Melick said.
National Media Contact: Tony Harrison
Mobile: 0417 318 178
Email: tony@wearebright.com.au