Forces charity seeks volunteers to help veterans beat loneliness
SCOTLAND’S largest membership charity for veterans is seeking more volunteers to help tackle isolation and loneliness among the armed forces community.
The charity Legion Scotland’s recruitment drive for its Veterans Community Support Service, which was launched last year, is asking people to spare a few hours in order to improve support for veterans and their families in the community.
Kevin Gray, chief executive of Legion Scotland, said: “We have experienced a huge increase in demand for our unique service since it was launched in July last year.
“In this time, we have helped nearly 300 veterans get back on their feet and feel confident with their surroundings, and this is all down to our fabulous volunteers who give their time freely to help others.
“There is more to be done and we need your help to do more for those who have served the nation. The ethos of military life and the importance of comradeship that is achieved through that bond of friendship found during service can never be underestimated.”
He said: “It’s hard to imagine that any veteran could be suffering from isolation and loneliness and struggle to settle into a community, but it happens, and it’s a genuine problem that is increasing.
“We must tackle it now, but we need your free time. It only takes an hour or two a week to make a difference to someone’s life.”
A spokesman for the service said the “incredible value” of the service was highlighted when one veteran struggling with loneliness was referred earlier this year.
The veteran said he “only had the birds that he feeds in his garden as company” and he’d seen very few people between Christmas and spring.
Legion Scotland“followed up to put his mind at ease”.
The 90-year-old Royal Horse Artillery veteran recently spoke far more positively. He talked about the difference in his life since his new Legion Scotland volunteer started visiting.