KENT WITH UKRAINE
Where British Partnership Meets Ukrainian Resilience
Hon. Presidents: The Rt Hon. The Lord Risby and The Rt Hon. The Lord Udny-Lister Kt. PC
OPERATION COMPASS
How we support Veteran Recovery and Reintegration
Ukraine’s veterans have defended their country, their communities and the security of Europe.
As servicemen and women return from the frontline, many face a new set of challenges: recovering from injury, accessing rehabilitation, travelling to essential services, adapting to civilian life, finding meaningful employment and rebuilding independence.
Operation Compass is Kent With Ukraine’s flagship programme supporting Ukrainian veterans and their families through recovery and long-term reintegration. Our approach recognises that recovery does not end when someone leaves hospital. A veteran may need rehabilitation, psychological support, accessible transport, assistance navigating public services, new skills, employment opportunities and support for their family — often at the same time.
Operation Compass is designed to help connect those different parts of the journey. Kent With Ukraine works with Ukrainian national, regional and local partners to develop practical models that are veteran-informed, locally delivered and capable of creating lasting improvements in the way support is provided. Our existing veteran work encompasses rehabilitation, mobility, employment, community reintegration and stronger local systems of support
Current Operation Compass Projects
We are proud to be working with partners to deliver the following projects:
Our Veteran-focused Projects
We are currently undertaking extensive programming to strengthen our ability to support veterans across Ukraine. Alongside our partners, we are actively working in the following areas:
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Decentralised support for Ukraine's brave defenders through strong local government.
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Improving the availability and accessibility of transport for veterans.
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Supporting training, employment and labour standards for veterans.
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Digitalisation and innovation.
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Streamlining referral pathways.
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Advanced psychological pathways and securing funding for treatment of burns and scars.
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Veteran dignity and independence (such as through our generator donations in February).
Our Approach
Operation Compass brings together five connected priorities:
Recovery — helping veterans access physical rehabilitation, psychological support and appropriate specialist services.
Mobility — removing transport barriers that prevent veterans, particularly those with disabilities or living in rural communities, from reaching rehabilitation, healthcare, employment and public services.
Navigation — helping veterans and families understand what support exists and move between different services through coordinated pathways.
Opportunity — connecting veterans with skills, digital training, employment, entrepreneurship and routes back into economic life.
Reintegration — supporting veterans to regain independence, participate fully in their communities and play a leading role in Ukraine’s future.
