Age UK Waltham Forest: together against loneliness
- Borough: Waltham Forest
- Organisation: Age UK Waltham Forest
- Topics: civil society, community life, older people
Who we are
In May 2021 Age UK Waltham Forest appointed two part-time ex-servicemen to identify and engage with veterans in the borough. Starting from scratch, we’re now three years into that journey.
We run a series of regular social groups and day trips where we foster friendships between veterans, war widows, and anyone associated with the armed forces family.
Our inaugural breakfast club was attended by eleven veterans, we now regularly attract more than forty. What we have built is a community of former comrades who meet regularly to socialise and assist each other with the trials of life.
A joined up and connected way of working
Age UK encourage veterans who access their services to join us and veterans who join us often go on to become Age UK Befrienders.
Our veteran coordinators have worked hard to build a network of Armed Forces support charities so that we can signpost people to specialist service providers, assisting with mental health issues, addiction or housing. We have built a supportive network through our groups for the local community.
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Support in action
Two gentlemen who were both recently widowed got in touch with Age UK originally for support with understanding their benefit eligibility. Age UK found out these two men were veterans and they were invited to the veterans’ groups. It turned out they lived two doors down from one another and, although their wives have known each other, the men did not. Through the group they have formed a close friendship and visit each other regularly.
Another gentleman always came in wearing the same set of clean clothes. It transpired that he had become homeless and was sofa surfing in his 70s. It was only because the gentleman attended our sessions regularly and we got to know him that we found out about the support he needed. Creating trust with participants and forming relationships can help us to help them better.
The changes we would like to see
Waltham Forest Council signed the Armed Forces Covenant in November 2023. The council is now working in partnership with the Age UK Waltham Forest veteran coordinators to help shape and provide more support services to veterans in the borough.
Age UK Waltham Forest would like to see a similar operating model across all London boroughs, with more councils signing the Covenant and committing to support veterans and their families.
Veterans have vital knowledge of the challenges faced by fellow service people and their families and know how best to support their community. A collaboration between veterans and policy makers would be hugely beneficial for London’s veteran community.
Find out more
Get in touch
If you have any questions about Age UK Waltham Forest you can get in touch at [email protected]
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