Veterans' day celebrations
Published on 26 June 2018 02:12 PM
Age UK Sheffield's work supporting Armed Forces veterans in the city was highlighted on Veterans Day, in June.
The event honours the outstanding contribution made by current and past members of the armed forces. It also raises awareness of our free services for military veterans and ex-national service personnel aged over 66, including the one provided by Age UK Sheffield.
The event, co-ordinated by Sheffield City Council, centred around an impressive march and ceremony that included veterans right down to cadets. The celebrations, joined by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Tony Downing, also featured entertainment from Ashby Big Band and Lorrie Brown, performing songs from the war time era, such as those of Dame Vera Lynn and Marie Lloyd.
Age UK Sheffield's services for military veterans, and those who have done national service, are funded by the Chancellor via the Ministry of Defence, using LIBOR funds, and so far have helped over 130 veterans in the Sheffield area. Our Independent Living Coordinators focus on maximising income, health, mental wellbeing and social connections. The project has secured over £110,000 in benefits for forces veterans and done essential work in combating loneliness amongst those we work with, half of whom live alone.
In addition to our social events that allow military veterans to spend time with others like them either reminiscing about their time in service or forming friendships over other common ground, Age UK Sheffield also runs an Intouch/Befriending Service. The scheme matches volunteers to an older person who has similar interests and aims to provide regular contact between the pair either face-to-face or over the phone.
If you know anyone who would like to get involved with Age UK Sheffield, click here to look at the opportunities on our Volunteering page. We would be particularly interested in talking to those who have a connection to the military or who have done national service. However, we would love to hear from anyone interested in tackling loneliness amongst the elderly, regardless of their background.