An edition of the Tyne Tees Television programme investigating topics affecting life in the North East. In this edition an exploration of ‘The Military Covenant’, our nations obligations to soldiers returning from fighting for our country and the costs to those returning to the region from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as their families. Soldiers and other members of the armed forces parading through Eldon Square in Newcastle on Veteran’s Day. A montage featuring some of those featured in...

An edition of the Tyne Tees Television programme investigating topics affecting life in the North East. In this edition an exploration of ‘The Military Covenant’, our nations obligations to soldiers returning from fighting for our country and the costs to those returning to the region from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as their families. Soldiers and other members of the armed forces parading through Eldon Square in Newcastle on Veteran’s Day. A montage featuring some of those featured in the programme asking the question, is the northeast still a home for heroes? Title: Northern Eye. Home for Heroes? A still of the late Private Nathen Cuthbertson who was killed while serving in Afghanistan changes to shows five coffins laid out for other servicemen killed during the conflict. Archive footage of soldiers in training running across open ground and firing their weapons with a copy of ‘The Military Covenant’ superimposed over them. As soldiers once again parade past, a page from a report conducted by Professor Anthony Forster, a former army officer into the failings of this covenant. In his office Professor Anthony Forster Hon. Prof. School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University explains what the covenant is. He goes onto say that he doesn’t believe the army have successful made it clear the terms and conditions of service or its duty of care right for veterans both still in the army and those who have left the armed forces. Archive newsreel of soldiers fighting during World War Two changes to Dr Bill Lancaster from Northumbria University who says there is a long history of the British not thinking about those who serve in the armed forced dating back to the 19th century. A montage of the British Army serving in Iraq both showing soldiers marching through desert terrain both on foot and in tanks or other personnel carriers and artillery pieces being fired. Iraq veteran Damien Mason talks about how after being injured in Iraq and being discharged from hospital the army didn’t want to know him. Another veteran Mark Stannard explains the differences between army and civilian life. Derek Twigg MP, Veteran’s Minister talks about a compensation scheme for injured soldiers changes to Damien Mason walking along the seafront at Filey. Although he was severely injured, he is too late to access this new compensation scheme and receives only a war pension. In voice-over he provides details of some of the issues he still has caused by his injuries. He looks over metal figures of three soldiers, in voice-over he says that he doesn’t think the Ministry of Defence (MOD) understand the financial pressions he and his family are going through. Andrew Drake, County Manager for the Royal British Legion sits at a desk editing a report or letter. He explains that there are elements of the 2005 compensation scheme that have address multiple injuries, but more can be done around burden of proof. Laid out on a table a selection of British Legion magazine, at the centre a poppy wreath. Damien Mason continues to walk along the promenade at Filey. In a soup kitchen a couple work to hand out bowls of soup and slices of bread to the homeless. Andrew Drake states there has been a 30% increase in people in their 20’s and 30’s asking the Royal British Legion for help with regards multi-complex issues of homelessness, money and medical problems. Mark Stannard enters his new home in County Durham helped with the support of the Royal British Legion. He talks about the difference between life in the army and life on civvy-street. Inside he sits watching television sitting on a deckchair, behind him boxes of other household goods. He explains that without the help of the Royal British Legion he would most likely be homeless, they gave him a foundation which he is now building on. Derek Twigg MP talks about several project that are being developed by the MOD to help veterans including accommodation for single person ex-service men and women. Iraq veteran Ryan Hull enters The Galleries in Richmond, a home run by the English Churches Housing Group (ECHG) in partnership with the MOD providing accommodation to ex-service personnel referred to them by the government Single Person Accommodation Centre for the Ex-Services (SPACES). In his room Ryan sits on his bed reading a book, on a nearby desk the model of a tank. Trevor Morris, Support Manager ECHG/SPACES talks about the need for such a project by the MOD due to the numbers of homeless ex-service personnel in London. Since the project started these numbers have fallen, but the problem still exists. Over archive of the British Army serving in Iraq Trevor Morris in voice-over explains that not all service personnel ask for help or are aware of SPACES In his room Ryan Hull talks about his situation and what brought him to The Galleries. He goes onto say that if SPACES didn’t exist he would probably be in trouble with the police. Andrew Drake explains that there is a lack of understanding within society linked to a breakdown in community support that means many ex-service personnel can feel lonely. Someone works with a laptop, beside them leaflets and paperwork for ‘Veterans:UK is followed by a poster for a play based on the accounts of bereaved northeast mothers called ‘Motherland’ and soldiers in Iraq at sunset. Title: Northern Eye. Home for Heroes? A copy of ‘The Military Covenant’ superimposed over soldiers standing to attention at an event. Professor Anthony Forster provides additional information about the covenant which does help ex-servicemen move from a highly regulated environment to civilian life but fails those who have problems with this transition. Images of the injuries inflicted on ex-soldiers taken by photojournalist and army veteran Stuart Griffiths. He talks about why he takes these photographs and what they mean and represent. Archive of a patrol of British soldiers on patrol in Iraq changes to Derek Twigg MP who talks about the issues in the provision of mental health treatments for veterans and pilot schemes within the NHS to create veterans’ mental health service. Sitting at his desk Symon Day Project Leader / Specialist Veterans Therapist explains the difficult veterans have dealing with the services and what he and other doctors are doing to overcome these issues. More archive of the British Army in Iraq and Dr Days stating that combat stress is significant, but other conditions are more prevalent in this user group such as adjustment disorder, depression and anxiety as well as alcohol and substance abuse. In the next year they hope to have the ‘general’ needs of veterans met, in the second year the focus will be in trauma. At an army base in Iraq and a memorial to those killed changes to the poster of a new play at Live Theatre in Newcastle based on the accounts of bereaved northeast mothers called ‘Motherland’. Pat Long whose son Corporal Paul Long, Royal Military Police who died in Iraq in June 2003 and Janice Murray whose son Private Michael A. Tench, 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry, died January 2007 both talk about their bereavement, the importance of the play and why questions on their death are not being answered. Scenes from the play feature with Helen Embleton as Pat and Rachel Adamson playing Janice plus interview with Steve Gilroy, Director/Creator of Motherland who wanted to look at the ‘full impact’ of such a loss has on the family and the role of women in the northeast who are fighting for the truth. Professor Forster explains that families are less willing to accept the authority of the MOD and be kept in the dark with regards specific issues. Part of the story is the role of nonmilitary pressure and campaign groups, similar to those formed by Pat Long and Janice Murray, that are taking up the issue of rights for individual servicemen and women. In Iraq a group of soldiers walking away carrying their kit changes to Teessider Ged Walton, a Kosovan veteran and co-found of ‘Forces Helpline’ website sitting at a computer reading emails and speaking with colleagues by phone. Sitting in a sofa he provides details of what this independent organisation can do for ex-service personnel and their families. Ged is critical of government agencies who appear to be doing less than organisations such as the Salvation Army. A montage of images featuring some if the individuals who have featured in this programme. Derek Twigg MP explains that recruitment into the army is currently up, the challenge is in terms of retentions and what is being done to keep personnel. Stuart Griffiths is asked if he would sign up again, he say’s no. Damien Mason says he is proud of 'doing his bit’ changing to Professor Forster who believes that if the ‘The Military Covenant’ continues to be eroded and ultimately broken, then it would break the armed forces making it increasing difficult to either attract or retain men and women into the armed services. Credit: Narrator Gregg Easteal Title: With thanks to Roger Fenton, Stuart Griffiths, The Royal British Legion, Live Theatre, Gerry Foley Credit: Camera Alistair McKenzie, Tom Paterson, Peter Rossiter, David Atkinson Sound Andy Bennett, Claire Chandler, Dave Venus The Edge Graphics Dave Richardson, Jon King Archive Gillian Robinson Editor Kerry Plummer Production Co-ordinator Christine Stewart-Tilling Executive Producer Graeme Thompson Series Producer Mary Wimpress Producer/Director Chris Phipps © ITV Tyne Tees 2008 End credit: Production for ITV