Zero reoffending rate for veterans engaging with specialist support

By pairing ex-service members with a dedicated Veteran Advocate, Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust has successfully broken the cycle of crime and crisis, achieving a 0% reoffending rate over 3 years for veterans engaging with its support services. 

This milestone proves that specialist, lived-experience support creates safer communities and delivers life-changing stability for those who have served.

Andrew Sharp is a Veteran Advocate working in the Liaison, Diversion and Reconnect team at Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, and uses his own military background to build trust, understanding and stability for veterans navigating mental health services or the criminal justice system.

A former soldier who joined the army at 16, served tours with the United Nations and in the first Gulf War, Andrew brings lived experience that helps break down the barriers many veterans face when seeking help.

Andrew said: “Some veterans need specialist support that many people don’t understand. But because I understand life in the military and share similar experiences they have faced, this helps people open up to me and accept my help and support.”

Andrew’s role includes working with veterans in custody, advocating for them in court, supporting people leaving prison, and linking individuals quickly into pathways such as Op Courage – an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help veterans, serving personnel, reservists, and their families.

He also supports them with accessing housing, benefits, healthcare and employment, providing wrap-around care that stabilises veterans in times of crisis.

Andrew’s support has delivered some real results including a 0% reoffending rate over the last 3 years for veterans who were involved in the criminal justice system.

Andrew said: “This reflects the consistent, longer-term support that we provide, rather than one-off interventions.” 

Through the service, Andrew stays in regular contact with veterans, checks in with them during known trigger periods, and treats every person with dignity regardless of their background or offence.

Kent and Medway NHS Mental Health Trust is an advocate for patient advocacy and supports the Armed Forces Gold Award work, Veterans Healthcare Alliance re-accreditation submission, runs a Veterans Champions Group, which Andrew chairs.

Dr Afifa Qazi, Chief Medical Officer for Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: “Veterans often face complex mental health needs connected to experiences that most civilians do not fully understand. Andrew’s work demonstrates how lived experience can transform outcomes, build trust and create safer communities. The 0% reoffending rate is an outstanding achievement and reflects our commitment to delivering truly inclusive and person-centred care to our veterans.”

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust continues to strengthen its armed forces support, working closely with military partners, justice services and Op Courage to ensure veterans in Kent and Medway receive timely, meaningful and specialist mental health care.

For veterans, Andrew’s message is simple: “Help is here. You are not alone.”