Minister pledges continued support for veterans as he attends Invictus event
Date published:
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has joined veterans and their families at an event to mark the participation of members of the armed forces in the Invictus Games.
At the Road to Invictus event in Lisburn, Minister Lyons recognised competitors from Northern Ireland who will be heading to Birmingham next year as the games return to the UK for the first time since 2014.
Minister Lyons said: “The Invictus Games are hugely significant for the veterans community and I was pleased to attend this event to show my support.
“Since taking up office, I have been focused on improving support for veterans – for those currently serving in the armed forces, for those who have left active service, and their families.
“While we can never truly repay the sacrifice they have shown, I can, for my part, work to ensure that veterans’ needs are met with the right support delivered in the right way at the right time.
“That is why I launched the Veterans Support Line NI earlier this year. The groundbreaking service provides a dedicated and confidential point of contact, helping veterans and their families access benefits, housing support and a wide range of other services.
“My Department is also strengthening support for veterans through improved access to services, enhanced staff training and closer engagement with veterans' organisations to ensure that those who have served our country face no disadvantage when accessing public services."
The Minister was joined at the event by Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone.
Mr Johnstone said: “Invictus is about much more than sport. It is about the extraordinary resilience of those who have experienced injury or illness as a consequence of, or during, their service, and the determination, courage and rehabilitation that can follow.
“That is why this evening is so important, to bring the Invictus story to Northern Ireland, to explain what these Games represent and to recognise the sacrifices made by our armed forces community and their families.
“As we look towards Birmingham 2027, we should also recognise the progress being made here at home. The Armed Forces Covenant motion at Stormont and the work of the Department for Communities to break down barriers to support are important steps towards ensuring our veterans feel recognised, included and able to seek the help they need.”
The event also heard from special guest speaker Johnny Ball, an Invictus Games Foundation team member, former Invictus competitor and host of the 'Veterans in Politics' podcast.
The Invictus Games were first held in London in September 2014, bringing together more than 400 wounded, injured and sick srvice personnel and veterans from 13 nations.
Since then, Invictus has grown into an international movement that uses the power of sport to support recovery, rehabilitation and a renewed sense of purpose for wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans.
The Veterans Support Line NI can be contacted on 0800 158 5556 or by texting ADVICE to 07860 042576.
For more information visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/veterans-support-line-ni.
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption: Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pictured with (left to right) veteran Danny Shanahan; Chief Executive of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council David Burns; Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood; Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone; Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh Brian Higginson; veteran Jonny Ball; Lisburn and Castlreagh councillor James Tinsley; and veteran Stuart Ball.
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