Military charities may create ‘culture of entitlement’

THE rapid increase in the number of military charities could create a culture of entitlement among former servicemen, a report has warned.

In the foreword of the 38-page document, Jim Davidson, the comedian and chief executive of Care After Combat, said that former soldiers might demand to rely upon handouts from the state and charities and do “little to help themselves”.

Mr Davidson is also concerned that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being used as a “badge of honour” to gain “benefits and entitlement” – and makes others suffering from it feel “reluctant to seek help”.

The report revealed that a small number of veterans chose to visit their GP and “report they had PTSD” – even after receiving offers of employment – to render them unfit to work and “ready for benefits”.

Mr Davidson said: “With new veteran charities popping up at regular intervals we must all be careful that we do not create a feeling of entitlement in the veteran.

“If we are not careful, some might demand to be looked after by charities and the state for ever, and do little to help themselves.”

The 63-year-old set up the military charity in 2015, along with Simon Weston, a veteran who suffered horrific burn injuries in the Falklands War.

But Mr Davidson feels there are too many wanting to give “everything” – pointing out there are more than 2,000 organisations aiming to help serving and former troops. “A charity is about the veteran. It’s not about how good it makes a person feel,” he said.

‘If we are not careful, some veterans might demand to be looked after, and do little to help themselves’