The New Frontline The voice of veterans
THE NEW FRONTLINE
VOICES OF VETERANS IN NEED
SSAFA has published a comprehensive review into the current needs of veterans in the UK, many of those surveyed served in Northern Ireland and highlights the how transition from Military to Civilian life impacts many of our veterans
These are the voices of veterans whose stories we rarely hear. They are men and women who have found the transition from service in the Armed Forces to civilian life a humbling, sometimes humiliating, experience.
Often too proud to ask for help, they feel isolated and alone. Marriages and relationships have broken down. They worry about their finances. They are struggling to find suitable housing. Many of them have chronic physical or mental health problems, which they believe were caused or exacerbated by their military service, but cannot get the medical help they need.
These men and women served their nation, but many of them do not feel supported by society, and some feel they have been disadvantaged.
They contrast their experiences with those of their counterparts in the US and feel they have been forgotten.
The challenges faced by these men and women are stark. Working-age veterans highlight these key problems:
NOT ENOUGH SAVINGS TO BUY OR REPLACE ESSENTIAL ITEMS
NOT ENOUGH MONEY FOR DAY-TO-DAY LIVING
DEPRESSION
A LACK OF HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OR PURPOSE IN THEIR LIFE
Download the full report which gives them a voice.
For many people, a veteran is an old man with medals and a beret, marching on Remembrance Sunday. The truth can sometimes be very different. We are now seeing a generation of men and women leave the services at a young age. Some have served their country on the frontline and suffered life-changing injuries. Others have returned to civilian life abruptly because of disciplinary problems or a failure to cope in their chosen career.
Over recent years, Britain has become much better at looking after wounded and sick servicemen and women. We surely owe a similar duty of care to veterans who have found it difficult to make the transition to civilian life due to deep-seated welfare problems or other issues.
Most veterans do not struggle when they leave the services; indeed they flourish, often as a result of the skills they have acquired during their military career. However, this report holds a mirror up to our society. Our research has identified a cohort of veterans living in pretty desperate circumstances, often through no fault of their own. The average household income of the working-age veterans supported by SSAFA is just £13,800 a year, a figure that will shock many.
These men and women are being forgotten, their plight too easily ignored. The purpose of this report is to change that. We want to shine a spotlight on this vulnerable group and suggest practical ways in which they can be helped. SSAFA knows that the transition period is a pivotal time for those taking their first steps back into wider society.
Social services and charities will be much better equipped to help them if they are aware of past problems and future needs. Disappointingly, the message that comes across loud and clear from our report is that many of the veterans do not feel valued.
Eighty-five per cent think the UK does not give them enough support. They have served our country – sometimes suffered for our country – and yet they feel forgotten.
Air Vice-Marshal David Murray CVO OBE