Redditch veterans urged to seek support as part of new campaign

VULNERABLE Redditch veterans of working age are being urged to come forward as part of a new campaign by Armed Forces charity SSAFA.
The charity has launched its ‘Got Your Back’ campaign in a bid to get veterans the help they may need to return to civilian life.
SSAFA’s Worcestershire branch is one of the charity’s 92 volunteer-run, local branches across the globe and one of 53 in England.
The Worcestershire branch covers the whole county and has divisions in Bromsgrove and Redditch, Droitwich Spa, Pershore & Evesham, Worcester & Malvern and Wyre Forest and has supported 199 people so far this year.
However, charity chiefs believe there are many veterans in the area who would benefit from, but are not asking for help.
While most service leavers make a successful transition to civilian life, some younger veterans are experiencing serious social and financial difficulties and are reliant on Foodbanks while others have ended up homeless or in prison.
Some of the most common needs include urgent debt support, essential food and groceries and clothing, home mobility adaptations for those who have been injured in service and training costs to help them back into work.
A recent SSAFA survery found more than half of working-age veterans did not have enough money for essential items and more than four out of ten said they could not afford daily living expenses.
David Swift joined the Army aged 17 but found it near-impossible to adjust to civilian life when he left and ended up living on the streets.
“In the space of a year I went from being a healthy young man in a great regiment to someone sitting in a park wondering what the point of my life was,” the 40-year-old said.
“You go from being this soldier everyone respects to being the lowest of the low.
“You do everything in your power not to ask for help. Sometimes you think your family would be better off without you,” he added.
Sir Andrew Gregory, SSAFA chief executive said: “The aim of SSAFA’s Got your Back campaign is simple and the message is clear; ‘Those who have served this country and those who have supported them have protected our backs; don’t be too proud now to ask us to protect yours.
Veterans and their families who are in need can call SSAFA’s Forcesline confidentially on 0800 731 4880 or by e-mail via www.ssafa.org.uk/gotyourback