Veterans must not be ignored on civvy street

For those returning to life on civvy street after a career in the armed forces, life can be extraordinarily tough. There will be those who are lucky enough to have a support network of family and friends to help them readjust.

But for many others, for whatever reasons, that safety net just won’t be there.

And sometimes, even those who have people looking out for them will still fall through the cracks.

We have asked these people to serve their country, and we thank them for their service and praise their brave exploits, but then when they leave, a blind eye is often turned.

It is no secret that people who have been in the military are over-represented among the homeless.

And the mental health problems they face may be different and more complex than those faced by the civilian population.

This is why specialist groups like Ravens Halls Veterans and Armed Forces Support Group in Gosport are vital for veterans and those still serving who are calling out for aid. Those who use it have described it as a major lifeline in helping them turn their lives around.

The group has helped dozens of these heroes as they battle to overcome everything from addiction to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Given our obvious navy connections in this part of the world, we are fortunate enough to several charities based in the area who work with veterans in exactly these kinds of issues.

However, it is sad, but not entirely surprising to hear that Ravens Halls are calling on the government to provide more support for grassroots projects like theirs – they say adjusting to life after the military is tough and that enough support is simply not available.

Veterans deserve better than being cast aside the moment they leave service. The government needs to heed their calls.