Celebrating Joining Forces
Published on 25 April 2018 12:02 PM
PRESS RELEASE - 25th April 2018
Joining Forces: celebrating veterans services in Worcestershire
Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire invited local military services, clients, referral partners and friends to celebrate their new Veterans Wellcheck Service, Joining Forces, today (Weds 25th April).
Joining Forces is working to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of the many older veterans in Worcestershire. They offer practical, emotional and financial support, as well as connecting them with local services, military organisations and social groups within the community.
Local branches of SSAFA, The Royal British Legion and The Defense Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) attended to promotethe support that is available for veterans in Worcestershire. Working together, Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire and SSAFA Worcestershire are providing a focused support programme to the county’s older veterans.
Service co-ordinator Gemma Warden says, “We offer personalised support and advice, this can include things like benefits, aids and adaptations and accessing the many military-specific services. We want to ensure that older veterans know that support is there for them, no matter how long they served for.”
So far some great feedback has been received, a veteran who uses the service said: “Thank you for your kindness in what you are doing for me, that brings me so much happiness in my life, I really mean that.”
The Joining Forces programme is one of 12 local projects within the national partnership between SSAFA, The Armed Forces charity and Age UK national. The support can be accessed through Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire.
SSAFA Worcestershire believe there is a large number of eligible veterans who may well qualify for assistance but are unaware of the service. Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lockyer MBE chairman of SSAFA Worcs, said: “Sadly there are too many people who are unaware of what help they may be entitled to, or who are reluctant to seek help.”
If you are or know an older veteran who may need some support, please contact Joining Forces:
Call: 01905 740950 or 0800 008 6077
Email: veteranswellcheck@ageukhw.org.uk
Photo: Martin Humby / Worcester News