Stoll provides homes and support for 500 vulnerable Veterans and their dependents, each year. We were founded almost 100 years ago by a theatre impresario, Sir Oswald Stoll, who saw the need to help wounded and traumatised Veterans of the Great War, providing nursing and care in their own homes, from Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions, in Fulham - enabling them to live independently.
Today, we have expanded to provide 247 homes in London, in addition to a pan-London Outreach service for homeless Veterans, living in B&B's, or hostels, or in accommodation which is inadequate for their needs. We also provide a national homelessness prevention service, matching serving personnel who are leaving the Forces within 6 months, with available social housing across the country.
With over 13 years of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of today's Veterans suffer from mental health issues, including PTSD and physical/sensory disabilities as a result of conflict. Statutory support to help Veterans transition is provided by the Ministry of Defence, but only for a limited time. Stoll supports those whose problems often emerge years later - those who find themselves unemployed, homeless and on their own. They are often reluctant to seek support, having been trained to be resilient and stand on their own feet. Stoll is the only organisation of scale providing homes and support for Veterans in London.
Stoll's service provision includes:
247 supported homes for Veterans and their dependents in London (157 flats at Stoll Mansions, Fulham; 36 flats at Wessex House, in Hounslow; 34 flats at Chiswick War Memorial Homes and 20 flats at Banstead Court, East Acton).
Stoll is both a housing association and a charity. Residents therefore pay a low cost rent, so that for those of working age, employment pays. Rental income covers the cost of property maintenance and management. However, it does not cover the cost of providing support services.
Outreach support service for any Veteran living within the M25. Outreach staff visit day care centres, homeless hostels, B&B's and Veterans living in inappropriate housing in the community. Their aim is to find them suitable accommodation and advocate on their behalf with other housing providers. They ensure that Veterans receive the necessary support they are entitled to, so that they can live independently in their own homes.
Veterans' Nomination Scheme - matching those about to leave the Forces, or those in transition (recently left) with homes nationally.
Monthly Drop In - once a month, at Stoll Mansions in Fulham. Over 20 different organisations are in attendance, providing a wide range of support and advice for Veterans (e.g. housing; employment; financial assistance); a hot meal is also provided.
Health and Wellbeing programme - a wide range of fitness, skills learning and social events and activities, open to residents and non-resident Veterans. This service is vital to avoid social isolation and loneliness. This is highly popular, with over 8,000 attendances recorded last year.
Substance misuse counselling service, providing support around drugs and alcohol addiction. Some Veterans misuse drugs and alcohol as a way of self-medicating their PTSD or other mental health issues. This service provides 121 and group therapy to approximately 60 individuals per year.
Tenancy support - ensuring that Veterans pay their rent and can manage their tenancies: advice on budgeting, form-filling, ensuring Veterans access pensions and benefits that they are entitled to receive. We also show Veterans how to shop for food and how to cook - in the Forces, these things are done for them and so many Veterans therefore lack basic skills for life.
Employment mentoring - CV writing, job search and mock job interviews help Veterans of working age to find meaningful employment.
Domestic Support - for frail, elderly or disabled Veterans we provide help with household chores (cleaning, laundry and shopping), prescription collection, accompanying Veterans to hospital and GP appointments and to health and wellbeing activities, ensuring they can take part in activities and lead a full and active life. This service enables them to remain in their own homes for as long as possible and it reduces the burden on overstretched, statutory adult care provision.
