An Cosantóir

23 23 O.N.E. 70TH ANNIVERSARY Ollie O'Connor at a Fuchsia Appeal launch https://www.one-veterans.org/one-connect-donate/ https://sleepingflags.ie Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. We meet at least annually with the Minister for Defence, the Secretary General Department of Defence, the Chief of Staff and others. We meet with ministers from other relevant departments, opposition spokespersons, other TDs, local authorities, Mayors, etc - anyone that can help us." Then there is Remembrance. "We take part in national and local remembrance commemorations. Our major event is the Niemba Ambush Commemoration which takes place in November every year. The ambush happened on 08 November 1960, with the first remembrance ceremony taking place in 1961 and we have been involved every year." Although O.N.E. was always busy, the arrival of the COVID virus has seen activity increase. "At the moment COVID is presenting our members with challenges, as branches cannot meet so it put more work on us at organisational level to make sure we keep in touch with members," explains Ollie. A big issue for O.N.E. and made more so by COVID, is mental health. "Families are not able to meet because of the restrictions, so while Facebook and Zoom are ok for chats etc, there is no hugging, no human touch and people are missing that, they are getting lonely." Luckily, just before the virus arrived on our shores, O.N.E. had trained up 63 Mental Health First Aiders. "This was a very important thing for us and we have also developed a Veteran's Welfare Pathway." There is a Welfare Officer in each branch who are there to help members with issues and a number of mental health clinicians around the country have offered their services to O.N.E. as have GPs. "It means we are better equipped to help members in these very difficult times, not just as a result of what COVID is doing to people, but other situations that can arise as well." On a very practical level, O.N.E. operates three hostels which are open 24-7 providing 49 badly needed single rooms every night. They are Brú na Bhfiann in Smithfield in Dublin with 35 bedrooms; Beechwood House in Letterkenny Co Donegal with 7 bedrooms and Custume House Athlone Co Westmeath with a further 7 bedrooms. They are always kept busy with Custume House usually full, Brú na bhFiann generally at 80 per cent occupancy and Beechwood House at a similar level. On top of those three busy hostels, a new hostel with five beds is being built for O.N.E. in Cobh at the moment and another with six beds is being planned in Cork City leading to the availability of 60 single bedrooms nationwide for homeless veterans. v Custume House, Athlone How do veterans end up homeless? "There can be different reasons, everyone has their own story. But a significant reason we have found is the break-up of relationships. Another is that men and women coming from an institution like the Defence Forces sometimes find it difficult to adjust to civilian life. Some don't handle it well." according to Ollie. Other welfare issues which can arise are: learning how our social welfare system works. "People come out of the Defence Forces and are reluctant to seek help. They've never had to worry about claiming unemployment or job- seekers benefits or worrying about applying for pensions etc. They relate better with fellow veterans and any assistance required can be provided in that manner" Ollie O'Connor adds: "We are there to support our members with whatever they need in the same way as Citizens Advice Bureaus or the Men's / Women's Shed movement." O.N.E. is working to develop a pathway for veterans who need ongoing care. A Memorandum of Understanding has been reached with the Royal Hospital Donnybrook and similar arrangements are being developed with other hospitals. Looking to the future, Ollie says a big issue is to continue to reinvigorate the organisation. "We are further developing an organisation that veterans want to join. It remains grounded in the ideals of its founders – support and comradeship – but must address those in the context of the needs of veteran in the 21st Century." However, just like so many other groups, funding is always a challenge. "Our funding comes from many sources including state funding, membership, collections and donations. While we can predict our spending with reasonable accuracy, it remains very difficult to forecast income and that is an enduring challenge for many charities." Attracting corporate support from companies and businesses is also a key objective. To help with this, a Marketing Committee has been established to identify sustainable revenue streams for the coming years." But whatever happens either with COVID or fund-raising, O.N.E. will always be there to support veterans in need. If you would like to donate to O.N.E. you can do so by visiting either of these websites:

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