VIDEO: This January SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, is urging the people of the Isle of Wight to build on their New Year’s resolutions and learn new skills, whilst giving something back to their local Armed Forces community, by becoming a volunteer.
The military charity, which has supported currently serving members of our Armed Forces, veterans and their families for over 131 years, is seeing the requests for support from this group increase and become more complex.
SSAFA’s Isle of Wight branch supported 125 veterans and their families in 2016. It operates volunteer led support services across the island and is based in Ryde with the need for new volunteer caseworkers island-wide.
SSAFA volunteer caseworkers support members of the Armed Forces community in a range of ways, including visiting them in their homes, assessing their needs and building a bespoke package of support.
Sue Pillar, SSAFA Director of Volunteer Operations and former Army Lieutenant Colonel said:
“SSAFA predicts that the welfare needs of the Armed Forces community in Isle of Wight will continue to rise. World War Two veterans are now well into their 90s and the impact of conflicts such as the Falklands, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan on our younger veterans and their families continue to reveal themselves.
“SSAFA is looking for local men and women who are willing and able to help provide a lifeline to veterans and their families in need. Volunteering for SSAFA is a unique challenge that is rewarding, interesting and hands-on, that requires planning and problem solving using local knowledge to support the varying needs of a wide range of people.
“The men and women who have served in our Armed Forces have given so much it is now up to us to support them. Please get in touch with one of our team to find out more.”
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If you are interested in joining your local SSAFA Isle of Wight team, please visit www.ssafa.org.uk/newrecruits or call 0800 032 5612.
