Local veterans and their families are to receive more support in future, with a motion passed last week by B&NES Council. Westfield Labour Councillor, Eleanor Jackson, has seen first hand how difficult it can be for returning personnel to readjust to life and the knock-on effect this can have on their families.
As of last week, an existing officer within the Council will be appointed to act as a single point of contact for all service leavers in B&NES, which will help those in need access existing services, signpost them to appropriate service charities and could assist colleagues in understanding psychological and social problems which could be affecting the transition from military to civilian life.
Councillor Jackson said she had been drawn into the issue when the family of the 100th soldier to die in Iraq, Corporal Gordon Pritchard, did not get the immediate help they deserved. She noted that although B&NES systems had improved with the adoption of ‘the community covenant’, she had encountered too many instances where veterans had become homeless through no fault of their own, and were too traumatised to apply for the specialist help they need. Common difficulties associated with the transition from military to civilian life include mental health issues, alcoholism, PTSD, homelessness and unemployment.
The motion was supported by Cllr Mark Shelford (Conservative, Lyncombe), himself a veteran, who related the case of ‘Cpl Patrick Shelford’, a mythical discharged soldier whose battle wounds and psychological trauma brought him to alcoholism and homelessness. He also drew attention to the excellent work of the British Legion, SSAFA and Help for Heroes.
Councillor Jackson commented: “The officers’ report to council suggests that only a very small number of residents are military veterans, and very few apply for help, but for these veterans, the effect of their circumstances is 100% all consuming and they should not need to rely on charity for help.
“We cannot easily resolve the problem of high rents in the private sector, lack of social housing and a low wage economy, but we can make it clear we will give all the practical support we can. I am very humbled that there is cross-party support for the motion calling for an officer to be appointed as a single point of contact for returning veterans. This person will offer advice and guidance on the relevant services and ensure the council is properly equipped to help returning veterans.”
She added: “The tragic events in Brussels last week demonstrate how much we need our armed forces to defend our democracy. It took my father fifty years before he could unburden himself of seeing his company blown up when his ship was escorting an Arctic convoy. We owe it to those we love who went through the 20th century wars to pass this resolution.”