OpCourage Afghan Service: updated poster and referrals

Dear colleagues, 

We are writing with an updated poster for the Op-Courage Warm Welcome Afghan Service, and a short reminder of who we are and what we offer. 

If you already know us, this is simply to say that we are open and accepting referrals, and that our poster has changed. The new version is attached, and we would be grateful if you could replace any older copies on display. 

If we have not worked together before, we are an NHS mental health service for people who worked alongside British forces in Afghanistan and who arrived in England through the ARAP scheme. We see former Afghan National Security Forces personnel, interpreters, locally employed civilians and others who assisted the British government. Arrival through ARAP is our eligibility criterion and our commissioning covers the main ARAP applicant themselves. If you are unsure whether someone is eligible, please call us to discuss rather than not referring. 

What we offer 

Psychological assessment and trauma-focused treatment, psychiatric input, peer support, and practical advocacy on housing and welfare. Dari and Pashto interpreters are arranged for every appointment at no cost to the client. 

How to refer 

Complete the attached referral form and return it to nlft.veterans@nhs.net. Clients can also contact us directly by telephone or through the QR code on the poster. 

About the poster 

It carries the key information for our service in English, Pashto and Dari and contains no photographs, so it is suitable for display in mosques and other community venues. Please print it, put it up, and pass it on to your networks. If you would like printed copies sent to you in the post, please let us know and we are happy to arrange this. 

We are glad to deliver short awareness sessions for teams, or to talk through any case you are uncertain about. 

Telephone 020 3317 7979 

nlft.afghanservice@nhs.net https://londonveteranservice.nhs.uk/warm-welcome-afghan-service