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Twigg praises Foundation's work for Veterans

Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans Derek Twigg praised the extensive and worthwhile work being carried out by the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation during a speech at the Foundation's Annual General meeting on Wednesday 17 September 2008.

Mr Twigg voiced his support for the Foundation, stating:
"You are an organisation that is really leading the way when it comes to opening up training and employment opportunities for some of our most vulnerable Veterans. The opening this summer of the Pryors Bank Cafe initiative is a great example of that, building on the success of the Banstead Court Learning Zone. Committed, creative and highly effective, you have a proven ability to build effective partnerships across the corporate and public sector."

Mr Twigg explained how he believes it is important for the MOD to work with organisations such as the Foundation:
" Your role in the Ex-Service Action Group (ESAG) on Homelessness is a great example of strong partnerships making a difference. While homelessness is clearly a problem there is, thankfully, no doubt that the situation is vastly improved since the mid-1990s when it was estimated that some 25% of London's homeless had a forces background. Separate research recently by York University - commissioned by ESAG and the MOD - has shown that in London the figures has now dropped to about 6%. This significant change is testament to the heard work and successful interventions of the Group of which you are a leading member."

Following the AGM Mr Twigg was given a tour of the Foundation's main site in Fulham, where he met several residents who were taking part in a IT training session as part of the Stollnet initiative.

Mr Twigg meets a resident at the Foundation who is taking part in the charity's Stollnet IT training course