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VETERANS
Supporting our
veterans T
he word ‘veteran’ often conjures up an image of our older generation who served so magnificently in WWII. However,
in today’s world that image is changing. Some servicemen and women are leaving the Armed Forces while still in their early twenties, others are serving for longer periods of engagement and leave later in life. The reasons for leaving are var- ied and personal but it is clear that the face of today’s veteran is changing. It is estimated that there are around 5.5 million ex-service personnel in the UK and together with their partners and children, they comprise the 10.5 million strong veterans community. Acknowledging the changing demographic of
our veterans, the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) is ensuring its services are commu- nicated to all, currently around 900,000 serving and many more ex-service personnel. Its newly updated website
www.veterans-uk.info delivers information and support for veterans including an interactive information service with details of over 1200 national organisations from health to housing, each with specific information for the Armed Forces Community. SPVA also runs a dedicated free helpline, which
takes on average 4,200 calls a week on a wide range of issues. The Veterans Welfare Service operates in five re-
gional centres across the UK: Hampshire, Glasgow, Gloucestershire, Lancashire and Worcestershire. From these regional centres, SPVA have teams of Welfare Officers who provide one-to-one support over the phone or in the home if needed. Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel), Vice
Admiral Peter Wilkinson said: ‘The SPVA exists to serve the serving and veteran communities. Our youngest veterans are but 18, and our oldest is 112 (Henry Allingham born in June 1896), so we span the length of society and will have a vital role to play in supporting our veterans for many decades to come.’ Veterans across the UK will be taking part in
Armed Forces Day events this year. Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for the nation to recognise our service personnel and veterans for the valuable contribution they make while serving our country and, after they leave, our communities. •
For further information about SPVA’s Services contact the Veterans-UK helpline 0800 169 2277 or visit
www.veterans-uk.info
Our youngest veterans are but 18, and our oldest is 112 so we span the length of society and will have a vital role to play in supporting our veterans for many decades to come
– Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson
78 SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
www.armedforcesday.org.uk
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