Scarborough veterans reminded of available support
Age UK has a dedicated service for the Armed Forces to get any help they need
Veterans in and around Scarborough are being reminded about the support that is available to them.
The town's branch of Age UK has a dedicated service for the Armed Forces to get any help they need.
It currently runs a weekly walking group at the Mere in Scarborough and coffee mornings on Thursdays at Dean's Garden Centre.
Kerry Broadmore, Veteran Support Worker for Age UK Scarborough and District, said:
"We get sort of between eight and 12 people to both so it's quite a nice group, it's not overpowering and it gives people the opportunity to get out and about after Covid and to build their confidence skills and to get to know other people.
"Not everyone wants to speak about their Armed Forces background. It's not always a positive thing to speak about but everybody has such different life skills and experiences that it's lovely to bring everybody together. I'm not a veteran myself so it's really nice to hear people's stories and learn things.
"I think particularly in our area we have a very, very high number of veterans that do come here for retirement. I'm aware of over 130 veterans that I regularly get in touch with and I know there are lots more.
"I think it's nice to give them the support and know that they're appreciated for what they've actually done for us and their country. They're a very big group in our area and it's nice for them to feel supported and to give back a little.
"It's going to be bringing up a lot of bad memories for people so people's mental health might take a decline and I'm here to support them if they just want to chat, just to try and meet other people to ease any anxieties that this is bringing up.
"I'm happy to support and provide that package however they want it to be delivered. I work with some people on a one to one where I actually visit them at home and some people actually just prefer me to text them or give them a ring, so I'm happy to provide that in any way shape or form."
For more information and to join the group on Facebook, visit their page.