Communities Minister 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.
