Military charity gives hardship warning over local families and veterans
SSAFA say they've had a big increase in calls for help from serving families and veterans in places like Berkshire, Wiltshire and North Hampshire
Last updated 8th Dec 2021
A charity is warning that serving military families and veterans in Berkshire and North Hampshire are facing an increased risk of financial hardship and food poverty.
SSAFA - the armed forces charity - says demand for help is 15% more than it was before the pandemic struck.
CEO Sir Andrew Gregory says they are dealing with a range of issues: "What we're finding the prevalent issues are financial hardship, food poverty, physical and mental wellbeing and that is what we're trying to address"
At the height of the pandemic in 2020, the charity’s Welfare Grants team received 1,241 requests for support, with 628 people being supported with funds totalling £231,670. In 2021 so far, over £39,300 has been provided towards 138 cases in times of urgent need – but the charity expects this to rise as the winter weather starts to bite.
Sir Andrew says he wants people who need help to put their pride to one side and speak up "what we find is that at this time of year both serving families and veterans hunker down and don't reach out for help and by the time they do the problems are much worse a stitch in time saves nine I would love people to reach out to SSAFA early when they see the first signs difficulty we can bring in the assistance and help them".
Signs so far show that 2021 figures have almost certainly decreased from the crisis of 2020, but with the latest Government data showing food inflation 1.4% higher than pre- pandemic, the worst could be yet to come. The charity is concerned that many vulnerable members of the Armed Forces community, particularly veterans, will suffer from financial hardship and food poverty this winter.
To contact SSAFA click here