09/12/2025
Anxious Minds is proud to be among a very small number of charities in the North East to have successfully completed the Quality Network for Veteran Mental Health Services (QNVMHS) accreditation. This rigorous accreditation process designed to ensure high standards of care and continuous improvement in veteran mental health support comes at a significant cost of £3,010 + VAT.
Through funding from the Veterans’ Foundation, organisations can apply for a £500 contribution toward this fee, offering some relief but still leaving a considerable amount for charities to cover themselves.
As a multi-award-winning charity, Anxious Minds delivers free counselling and long-term mental health support to hundreds of veterans and their families across the North East every year. Achieving the QNVMHS accreditation reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based, and compassionate support to those who have served.
Yet, the financial burden of accreditation presents a growing challenge. For many small and medium-sized veteran charities already operating on tight budgets and facing increasing demand, the high cost is becoming a barrier.
As a result, some organisations are being forced to reconsider whether they can realistically pursue accreditation, even though it plays a vital role in demonstrating service quality, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
This raises an important question for the sector: How can we ensure that essential quality standards remain accessible to all charities, regardless of size or financial capacity?
If accreditation becomes unaffordable, there is a risk that many frontline organisations often the ones closest to veterans and their communities will be left without recognition for the high-quality support they provide, ultimately limiting choice and access for veterans seeking help.
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
