Fears Lincolnshire veterans and families struggling to stay afloat and feed themselves
Many serving personnel are also facing isolation and loneliness
We're being told more and more veterans, and their families across Lincolnshire, are at the cusp of falling into food poverty.
Armed forces charity SSAFA says things like heating, rent and the pandemic have had a big impact on finances.
It says many now struggling to stay afloat and even feed themselves.
People are being urged to come forward for help.
Meanwhile, a new pilot scheme's been announced to help serving personnel and their families at RAF Digby, Waddington and Cranwell.
SSAFA has created a number of new roles from supporting operations to community engagement and fundraising to help support the serving community and is encouraging the public to step forward and volunteer.
Julie McCarthy, Director of Volunteer Operations at SSAFA said it's incredibly important to make sure the service they provide reflects the needs of the modern-day serving community.
“This pilot scheme, funded by the Army Central Fund, is designed to create new and exciting volunteer opportunities, whether you are currently serving, a family member or live in the local community.
"We hope that our new Serving Community Teams will help to tackle loneliness and isolation in the serving community, including supporting those that are single, reservists and their families.
“I know first-hand the difference a visit and help from a Community Volunteer can make and would encourage anyone interested to speak to their local SSAFA Team or find out more via our website.”
Susie Lyles-Clarke said volunteers will support the community, in the fight against loneliness which she says is common in rural counties.
"Pre-covid it had been identified that there are certain pockets of the serving community that might be feeling lonely and issolated.
Covid has absolutely exacerbated this and crystallised how essential community volunteering and having a general structure in RAF bases that people can turn to when they most need it is."
Charlotte Eadie said they chose the area because they wanted to cover a place with a big RAF population.
"There are so many little stations there, but also reasonably isolated, and we felt this project would work really well and hopefully draw people together."
Other pilot areas include:
• Colchester
• Catterick
• Portsmouth & Gosport
• Salisbury Plain
• St Athan
• Woolwich