VULNERABLE veterans and their families who live in Stroud are being given more support from a national charity.

Armed Forces organisation SSAFA has launched its ‘Got Your Back’ campaign to encourage veterans of working-age in the district to come forward for help.

The Gloucestershire branch covers the whole county and has supported over 100 people so far this year.

But SSAFA believes and there are many veterans in the area who would benefit from, but are not asking for help.

While most service leavers make a successful transition to civilian life, some younger veterans are experiencing serious social and financial difficulties and are reliant on food banks while others have ended up homeless or in prison.

SSAFA reports that some of the most common needs of those vulnerable veterans who live in Gloucestershire include – urgent debt support, essential food and groceries and clothing, home mobility adaptations for those who have been injured in service and training costs to help them back into work.

The charity exists to help all veterans and their families. Its recent research identified a cohort of working-age veterans - aged 16-64 - who are living in considerable hardship.

Amongst this cohort, over half said they did not have enough money for essential items and more than four out of ten said they could not afford daily living expenses.

However, too often these individuals and their families are either too proud to ask for help or don’t know where to turn, or both. Sir Andrew Gregory, chief executive, SSAFA said: “SSAFA understands that our soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen are resilient characters.

“Whilst serving the nation they become fitter, more robust and more self-sufficient; they are rightly proud of their role and of themselves. “However, for those individuals and for their families who find the transition out of the Armed Forces difficult, some are then too proud to ask for help.

“The aim of SSAFA’s Got your Back campaign is simple and the message is clear; ‘Those who have served this country and those who have supported them have protected our backs; don’t be too proud now to ask us to protect yours. Please call us.”

Gloucestershire veterans and their families who are in need, can contact SSAFA’s Forcesline which is confidential and free of the chain of command, either by freephone on 0800 731 4880 or by emailing the team via www.ssafa.org.uk/gotyourback

The charity is also asking members of the public who may be concerned about a veteran to encourage them to contact SSAFA Forcesline for help.