News & Views Winter 2011 - SSAFA Forces Help

news viewsIssue 25 Winter 2011/2012

from the heart of SSAFA Forces Help

10 years in afghanistan ssafa evolves to meet changing needs

edinburgh to London a 500 mile cycling adventure

&

headlines ............................................................................ 3 Association News

ride of britain ................................................................... 4 A 500 mile teamSSAFA adventure

10 years in afghanistan ................................................. 6 How SSAFA has adapted to meet the challenges presented by the conflict.

supporting clients ............................................................ 8 Interview with General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue

the big brew up .............................................................. 10 Our annual fundraiser is our most successful yet

someone who understands ........................................... 12 Norton Homes help bring people together

Mentoring injured soldiers ............................................ 14 New scheme helps injured service personnel

siblings’ support ............................................................ 15 A new support Group helps siblings of injured Service personnel

Volunteer news ................................................................ 16 Branch and Sevice Committee events

a vicious war ................................................................. 18 The effects of the Korean War are still felt by some of its veterans

the final Word… from the Controller ............................ 19

contents Editor’s Welcome

Editor: Gabriele Black

Art Director: Yaél Dean

Editorial contributors: Matt Glithero, Athol Hendry, Michael Ivatt, Leann Lavery, Graham Lilley, Lucy Walters

Please send all ‘news & views’ comments and contributions to [email protected] Deadline for Summer 2012 contributions: 1st March 2012

the soldiers, sailors, airmen and families association – forces help

19 Queen Elizabeth Street, London SE1 2LP T 020 7403 8783 F 020 7403 8815 E [email protected]

www.facebook.com/ssafafh http://twitter.com/SSAFAForcesHelp

www.ssafa.org.uk

Cover photograph: Rifleman Michael Swain cycled 500 miles on a hand bike for the Ride of Britain.

2 Registered Charity Nos. 210760, Est. 1885 and SC038056

Welcome to the magazine for SSAFAForces Help.

SSAFA improves the lives of many differentpeople, whether an older veteran (page 18); the siblings of injured Service personnel (page 15) or Service personnel currently on operations and their families (page 6).

Our work is so vital it inspires people toundertake fantastic feats on our behalf,whether it is cycling 500 miles (page 2) orhosting a Big Brew Up (page 10). Thank you to everyone however you support us.

The Association’s strength is its people, thosethat we help and those who deliver that help.Please contact us if you know of anyonewhose life has been touched by SSAFA whomay wish to share their story with others.

Best wishes

Gabriele Black

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news & views winter 11

headlines

adoption eventDiscrimination faced by military families was discussed at a special conference held at the Tower of London by SSAFA’s Adoption Service in November. “Without SSAFA Forces Help we would have been considered unsuitable” commented parents Samantha and Mark. SSAFA’s Adoption Service has created more than 140 new families.

association filmWe are making a new 3-4 minute short ‘Introduction to SSAFA Forces Help’ film. The film will be available to all volunteers and uses cups of tea as the thread to link each of our stories which help to demonstrate the wide range of services that we offer. The film will be released early in 2012.

remembrance sundayMany volunteers represented the Association at Remembrance services and parades throughout the country. SSAFA representatives at the UK national event at the Cenotaph in London included the Buckinghamshire caseworker, Chris Collins, who lay the wreath on behalf of the Association.

SSAFA Forces Help has celebrated 20 years of its pioneering Longside House in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The lunchtime party brought together people, including past and present clients who thanked Gillian Butler and John Addison for their unfailing commitment to their work at Longside. Over the past 20 years we have offered a lifeline to 339 Women and their children. There was also a fantastic raffle raising £272.00.

Longside celebrates 20th anniversary

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ride of BRITAIN

Agroup of 32 cyclists took part in SSAFA Forces Help’s Ride of Britain, a 500 mile bike ride from Edinburgh to London, to raise

money for the Armed Forces community. Setting off from Edinburgh Castle, the team battled hail, wind, torrential rain and hill after hill. They were also joined by an Olympian cyclist and received messages of support from the Prime Minister as they made their way down the country.

Amongst the participants were two soldiers who were injured in Afghanistan, Rifleman Michael Swain and Rifleman Paul Jacobs, who were invited on stage at the Pride of Britain Awards to

commemorate 10 years in Afghanistan.

Rifleman Michael Swain, 21, who serves with 3 Rifles, completed the challenge event on a hand bike having lost his legs in an IED explosion in Helmand Province in 2009. The distance and effort required to cycle the hand bike over the five days was the equivalent to 500 miles of press ups. Rifleman Paul Jacobs from 2 Rifles was blinded in Afghanistan in 2009 when he was trying to save a colleague following a blast. He has since been awarded the George Medal for bravery and has completed a number of challenge events for charity. He completed the Ride of Britain on a tandem bike with his brother.

In October, two injured soldiers and 30 cyclists completed SSAFA Forces Help’s inaugural Ride of Britain.

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ride of BRITAIN

i next year’s ssafa forces help ride of britain will take place 12th -16th september 2012. sign up to receive an information pack at: www.ssafa.org.uk/rideofbritain

Day 1: Edinburgh Castle to Carlisle – 92 milesTaggart star Blythe Duff braved the wind and rain to wave off the cyclists while members of 1 SCOTS and 3 Rifles saluted the team to the sound of bugles and pipes as they made their way down the Royal Mile.

The first day was the most challenging due to the numerous hills, torrential rain and strong head winds resulting in the cyclists being soaked to the bone. Despite this, spirits were high and after a long day on the road, the team made their way into Carlisle – a Premier Inn never looked so good!

Day 2: Carlisle to Harrogate – 112 milesBrighter weather and rolling Cumbrian countryside were the order of the day which markedly perked everyone up. One of the stops of the day was St Nicholas primary school in Rippon where the children gave the team a great welcome. Their teacher Leonie Mandelson devoted a class to the bike ride and taught the children about the support SSAFA Forces Help provides members of the Service community.

Day 3: Harrogate to Lincoln – 103 miles Everyone was up early to take part in a live interview with ITV’s Daybreak. Paul and Michael were interviewed live on air while the whole group were out en mass in support.

Excitingly, Olympic gold medallist Jason Queally joined the group for part of the day as they rode through Harrogate. Jason hopes to ride for Great Britain’s London 2012 sprint team and gave everyone a great boost, and the impetus set personal bests on the ride.

The lovely weather and flat terrain made for fast progress and cheerful spirits. Members of the public were flagging down the cyclists to give them donations, following their various TV and radio appearances. Prime Minister David Cameron also got in on the act and sent a message of support to the team: “It is fantastic that you have all come together on the SSAFA Ride of Britain to raise money for

Ride of Britain

such a great cause. Our nation is incredibly proud of Britain’s Armed Forces and it is great that you are taking on this huge challenge to support them. You are nearly there - good luck with the last miles and keep peddling!”

Day 4: Lincoln to Cambridge – 106 miles With the sun beaming and beautiful surroundings, the team set of with a spring in their tyres along the waterfront of Lincoln’s wharf. With the most challenging terrain and weather behind them, the group really bonded and there was a great feeling of camaraderie.

Day 5: Cambridge to Horseguards Parade, London – 62 milesWith the finishing line in sight, there was a jubilant feeling in the air as the cyclists made their way out of Cambridge. Progress through London was slowed by heavy traffic and narrow towpaths, but there was great excitement as the group cycled past Trafalgar Square and then onto The Mall before they turned off into Horseguards Parade where they were met by a crowd of hundreds of supporters. Family and friends were out in force to cheer in the team as the 500 miles came to an emotional end. n


10 YEARS IN afghanistan

This autumn marks the 10th anniversary of Britain’s military involvement in the Afghanistan conflict. It is one of the longest

campaigns fought by the British in modern military history and, as the conflict has continued, the role-call of those killed and seriously injured has grown exponentially.

The duration and increasing ferocity of the Afghanistan conflict has changed public option of our military and provided new incentive and direction for Armed Forces charities such as SSAFA Forces Help.

The Iraq war did not start until the following year. However, the relatively low number of casualties at the start of the conflict in Afghanistan meant that it was the experiences and lessons of those involved in the Iraq conflict that paved the way for those families and troops involved with the Afghanistan.

Services such as the SSAFA Norton Homes and the Support Groups for Bereaved Families and the Families of Injured Service Personnel were started to help families who had found that they had not been taken into account in organising the care of casualties from Iraq.

Sue Norton discovered that there was nowhere for her and her family to stay while her then husband was being treated following serious injury. Francis Shine, raised awareness of the conditions at Selly Oak hospital and the lack of involvement that families had in the care of their loved ones. When Roger Bacon’s son was killed Roger realised that only someone who had lost a loved one in conflict could truly understand his emotions and so the Bereaved Families Support Group was formed.

As casualties from Afghanistan increased the MoD started to look at how it could enhance its services with improvements to the “Care Pathway” of casualties at Selly Oak, greater recognition of the role of

families and a clearer definition of the role of charities like SSAFA.

Jane Barnes: “Our support groups cover all conflicts along with non combat death and injuries. The sustained period of active deployment means that some families from both the bereaved and injured groups are much further along the road and can offer support from a position of experience. This is a great strength to the newer families who can see hope or find comfort that they are not alone in what they are experiencing.

“Over the duration of the conflict the MoD has also had to come to terms with changes in society. A family is often more complicated than they were 10 years ago and it is more acceptable for the young partner of someone who has died to move on which can be understandably hard for parents.”

Claire Hoather, Director of Fundraising: “The number of military charities has grown tremendously over the last decade. New charities have been formed, ranging from those run from a kitchen table to massive organisations raising millions. However, the increased awareness of the issues and the enthusiasm of the public to show their support for the forces is something that has benefited the entire sector. Prior to Afghanistan, military charities were seen as stuffy and old fashioned. We have all had to raise our game. Maintaining that enthusiasm post Afghanistan will be the challenge.”

Cathy Walker, commented, “In the future we can expect branches to be seeing more complicated cases with an increasing number of clients suffering mental health, relationship and financial problems. We will be working to ensure that no veterans, from Afghanistan or any conflict, are disadvantaged as a result of their service life. At the moment those have been injured are in the spotlight however, we need to be sure that we are there in the years to come and ensure that society does not ignore its debt to our Armed Forces.”

SSAFA Forces Help has evolved to meet the challenges presented by the long term conflict in Afghanistan.

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focus on...

news & views winter 11 7

10 YEARS IN afghanistan

DECAID

Students from the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth were so moved by the determination of our troops during the Afghanistan conflict that they decided to establish their own fund raising initiatives to mark the 10th anniversary of the conflict and to support military charities including SSAFA.

Decaid was founded by Rupert Laing and Tom O’Connell who worked with a team of about 30 students to achieve a series of ambitious financial and physical challenges.

The opening ceremony, a spectacular ‘Massed Pipes and Drums’ at Armed Forces Day in June this year, saw almost 400 musicians march along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Physical challenges included

the Munro Mission where the team scaled all 283 Munros, Scottish Mountains over 3000ft, in just 49 days without the use of motorised transport. The team dedicated each Munro servicemen and women whose lives has been lost in Afghanistan. Decaid’s programme of events culminated with a moving service at Salisbury Cathedral attended by Decaid patron, The Duchess of Cornwall, and the families of those effected by the conflict.

The team has so far raised almost £140,000 and running the fundraising charity has been pretty much a fulltime job for Rupert. “We did not take this on lightly and knew that it was going to be hard work. This really has been a team effort. I have certainly learnt a lot about management and about how the charity world works. Many of those involved with the project have gone on to find employment an the Decaid project provided them with valuable experience.

“We felt passionately about the cause and the need to encourage support for physically wounded and the bereaved families. It has been tremendously rewarding, especially meeting the families of service personnel themselves.” n

i further information can be found at www.decaid.co.uk

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supporting CLIENTS

A fter more than 40 years in uniform, General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue is relishing the job of steering one of Britain’s longest-serving military

charities through the challenges of the 21st Century.

The SSAFA Forces Help Chairman said: “Having had a thoroughly enjoyable military career, I think it’s time for me to give something back. I’m delighted to have a change. If I had just walked away completely I probably would miss the military life but SSAFA is very much part of the Armed Forces. Its raison d’etre is supporting the Armed Forces current and past.”

The former Chief of Defence Materiel joined the Territorial Army in 1968 while studying engineering at Manchester University, an experience which he says left him well-attuned to the welfare issues facing reservists. He converted to a Regular commission with the Royal Engineers in 1971 and his diverse career has included spells in Germany, the Falkland Islands and as Director of Staff Operations at SHAPE. He was also UK military representative to NATO and the EU in Brussels.

Sir Kevin and his wife Jean, who have three daughters and a recently-arrived granddaughter, have now bought a house near Shrivenham in Oxfordshire.

“I think it’s our 24th house in 38 years of marriage and we are now very happily settled,” he said. “And the garden is the right size, large enough to enjoy and small enough to cope with!”

At a time when there is much uncertainty in the Armed Forces, Sir Kevin believes many servicemen and women and their families are concerned about what the future holds. He said: “I think morale is fragile in the Armed Forces, not for the soldiers, sailors


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interview


and airmen who are out in Afghanistan or on operations, morale could not be higher there, and they are focused on what they are doing. But I think those who are not on operations have time to worry about pensions, redundancies, loss of allowances and reductions in the size of the Armed Forces.”

SSAFA’s volunteers will have a vital role to play in providing the support these families will need and Sir Kevin describes them as the “core” of the organisation. “Whether they are Branch caseworkers or in-Service community volunteers, I am amazed at the amount of time, effort and dedication that our volunteers put in and that is our real strength, those 8,000 volunteers around the world. The other really impressive part of what we do is the specialisms, such as health and social care services, as well as things like the support groups, the adoption service, and the travel scheme to name a few.

“I think the homes, the Norton Homes and the Stepping Stone Homes in particular, are really important things that we have done but we need to be alert to whether there is a bigger requirement.”

Looking at the challenges ahead for SSAFA Forces Help, Sir Kevin is keen for in-Service and Branch volunteers to work more closely together to develop their understanding of what each other does.

“I think internally that’s the key, along with remaining agile enough to pick up the extra requirements as they come in, things that need to be done which we can deliver,” he said. “Externally we must work more closely together as Service charities. I think sometimes people forget the aim which is to support the clients who need our help, not to be bigger than or better than another charity. The first principle of war is selection and maintenance of the aim and I think the first principle of SSAFA should be to remember

The Association Chairman, General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue KCB, CBE talks to N&V about his vision for SSAFA Forces Help.

supporting CLIENTS

our aim which is to support those people who need our help.”

Sir Kevin believes that the huge number of military charities could be significantly reduced. He said: “We need to start drawing together to fill in the gaps in the overall outputs of Service charities and eliminating the overlaps which are just wasteful.”

And while other charities might have more financial clout, Sir Kevin does not see it as a threat to SSAFA’s role in the sector. He said: “I’m delighted that the nation is getting behind its Armed Forces and putting the money in to support the injured and that doesn’t worry me. SSAFA is there for the long haul and we want to be sure that includes the next 126 years as it has the past 126 years.

“We are fit for purpose. We could be tighter, we could be tauter but I think that’s coming. Council has agreed our strategic objectives and we have work in hand looking at the profile of the charity. A volunteer organisation has huge strengths because the volunteers genuinely are concerned about what they are doing but change is not as swift as perhaps it could be.”

So, more than 18 months after taking on the job, Sir Kevin has a clear idea of where the charity is heading. Proud of what SSAFA has already achieved, he wants the organisation to anticipate the future needs of the Armed Forces as efficiently as it has addressed the needs of those who served in the last two centuries.

He said: “SSAFA is a really valuable organisation and is doing a great job but there is a lot more to do and we need to be agile in picking up what the Armed Forces want of us - perhaps before they even realise they want it.” n


tea…

Big Brewers have been extremely creative, including Bowling Big Brew Ups (RAF Brize Norton); Inter Platoon bake offs (Loughborough); live band Big Brew Up (near Cardiff) and 1940’s themed workplace BBU (Coast Digital, Chelmsford). Blandford Camp even held a Big

Brew Up Week with Big Bun Drive Thru, Bacon Butty Brew Up, SSAFA Tea Bus, Have a Cuppa with a Solider, Mums and Tots morning and Downlands school Mufti Day all in one week!

It continues its international success with Big Brew Ups held in British Embassies in Washington, Rome, Colombia, Cyprus, Denmark, and Uganda. Not to mention the Big Brew Ups that took place on the front line in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan and HMS Ocean whilst at sea in the Gulf of Oman.

Thank you so much for your support, we are on track to raising funds of over £100,000 towards SSAFA’s projects and local branch activities. n

If you are feeling inspired, 2012 will be a great opportunity to get involved as we celebrate 15 years of The Big Brew Up. To register your interest in taking part or to find out more please visit the website (www.ssafa.org.uk) in the Spring.

one, tWo,

for our troops!!The Big Brew Up, celebrated its most successful successful year yet with over 800 tea related events. The October event took place across the UK and around the world, raising vital funds and awareness for SSAFA Forces Help.

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Big Bew Up


Herford

RAF Briz

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on

Soho

Squa

re, Lo

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Herford

Cyprus

HMS Ocean


SOMEONE WHO

understands

The emotional trauma and shared understanding of visitors to the SSAFA Norton Homes draws families together, resulting in new

friendships being formed.

Two such visitors are Christine Morrison and Margaret Meenagh who became close after they met at the house in Birmingham. Their sons were badly wounded in Afghanistan earlier this year and their shared experience brought them together. Christine’s son, Private Luke Morrison, lost part of his leg and suffered multiple injuries to his right leg after an IED blast and Margaret’s son Private Scott Meenagh, lost both legs while on a foot patrol.

Although they live at opposite ends of the country, Margaret and Christine have stayed in touch and continue to support each other. Margaret said, “Being at the house with others in a similar situation really helped. The first night Christine was here we sat up talking till 1.30am. It was wonderful to talk to another mother who knew what I was going through.”

Shared experiences at our Norton Homes bring people together.

Cheryl Edwards and Debi Hawkins became firm friends at a Norton House Headley Court bbq. Their sons - both named Joe – were badly injured in Afghanistan. Despite the difficulties the pair went through, Cheryl and Debi are there for each other and their boys as they continue their rehabilitation.

Debi explains saying, “When I first met Cheryl, she told me about her Joe. My heart went out to her. I knew exactly what she was going through and we bonded instantly.”

Earlier this year, the ladies flung themselves out of a plane at 13,000ft to raise money for SSAFA Forces Help, thus further cementing their friendship. “When Debi said she’d join me in my jump, I was so excited but I’ll never forget her terrified look and I gave her the thumbs up and leapt out of the plane first,” said Cheryl. “She’s been my rock ever since we met. With each other’s help, we’ve come though it all and we’re thrilled to help other mums just like us.”

Their fundraising exploits and unwavering dedication to their sons were acknowledged at the 2011 Best Bravest Women Awards. Cheryl and Debi were dually recognised at the star-studded event which honours women who have overcome difficulties in their lives and who, in turn, make a positive contribution to those around them. Very deserving recipients indeed! n

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SSAFA Norton Homes


our two ssafa norton homes provide short term accommodation so that families can stay nearby whilst visiting their loved ones at selly oak hospital in birmingham and the defence Medical rehabilitation Centre at headley Court, surrey.

for advice and further information, please visit www.ssafa.org.uk/nortonhomes or contact:

the housing department t: 020 7463 9287 e: [email protected]

ssafa norton house headley Court t: 01372 277413 e: [email protected]

ssafa norton house selly oak t: 0121 4726310 e: [email protected]

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seLLy oak WeddingTwo days before Catherine and Prince William exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey, SSAFA had ensured that a bedside ceremony for an injured serviceman and his bride was just as romantic.

Laura, 22, had been planning to marry Corporal Callum Brown, 23, from 2 Scots when he came home from fighting in Afghanistan.

The pair met while Callum was on his first Op Herrick tour in 2008 and were engaged the following Christmas. Callum returned to the front line in 2010, four months into the tour Callum trod on an IED. He lost both legs, shattered his pelvis and suffered serious lower body and internal injuries. Callum was not expected to survive the flight home. Arriving in Birmingham, Laura was rushed from her home in Penicuik near Edinburgh to be at his bedside. The surgeons were not hopeful, saying that they “could not perform miracles”.

He pulled through and like so many other women; Laura started her bedside vigil to help her man through his treatment. Plans for the church wedding and honeymoon lay in ruins.

As Callum improved, Laura moved into SSAFA Norton House Sellyoak, a home for the families of seriously injured troops being treated at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine’s Clinical Unit.

Callum was still undergoing painful operations and there was the constant threat of infection to his wounds. The couple did not want to waste time and spoke to the hospital chaplain and the Military Liaison Officers (MLOs) to help arrange a wedding service.

Helen, Assistant Manager at Norton House, took on the task of preparing the bride for her big day. “There was a real buzz about the place”, said Helen. “We arranged the cake, found a donor who paid towards the dress and shoes and one of our regular professional visitors offered to do the hair and make up. Right up until the day of the wedding there was still a chance that doctors may have decided that Callum was not up to it so we all felt very proud when Laura and her family drove off to the hospital.

“Helen was very excited and did so much

to help my day went to plan”, said Laura. “I didn’t sleep the night before, I was really nervous but everyone helped make it a wonderful day for me. They even arranged for a small party when I returned from the hospital in the evening.”

It was the first wedding at the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The Day Room became a chapel with a small altar and surrounding the couple were Callums colleagues from 2 Scots. Having returned from Afghanistan days before, this was the first time many of them had seen Callum since he was carried from the battlefield and close to death. This was very emotional for everyone and most of those present, including the soldiers, were moved to tears.

“Our wedding may not have been as expensive as William and Catherine’s but I think ours was better” says Laura. “It was not the day we originally planned but it was very, very special and with the same outcome.”

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ex-Service community


Mentoring INJURED soLdiers

For a while organisations have been looking at better ways to support our wounded, injured and sick service personnel. The Army Recovery

Capability (ARC), based at Headquarters Land Forces in Andover, opened last year as a joint venture between the MoD and various Service charities to look at medium to long term care of service personnel.

One of the early inititatives has been SSAFA Forces Help, working with the MoD and the ARC, to develop and establish a mentoring service to support wounded, injured and

sick Service leavers. Many of these peope are vulnerable, feeling isolated and facing considerable trepidation over the prospect of leaving the service unexpectedly as well as managing an illness or disability.

The mentoring will be offered to each service leaver at a suitable point duing their transition into civillian life giving them ‘one to one’ support beyond discharge for up to one year which is extendable if necessary.

The SSAFA mentoring scheme is independent of the Army’s welfare support service and avoids duplication of current services by working collaboratively and signposting to more specialised services (Shoulder to Shoulder, MacMillan, BLESMA, Combat Stress and others) as appropriate. The mentors will be volunteers, some new and some already within SSAFA and operate locally. Each volunteer will be specially trained in advance of assignment to ensure a healthy ‘supply on demand’ concept.

We are just about to start recruitment of an initial 50 mentors and finalising the design and delivery of the bespoke training. Meanwile the ARC is selecting 42 service leavers from across mainland UK to participate. It is hoped that this first 18 month trial of the service will start early in 2012.

At the end of the 18 month pilot, it is hoped that mentoring will be rolled out to all wounded, injured and sick service personnel leaving the Army (potentially 1,200 year on year) with a view to exending the scheme to all three services. n

if you would like more information on the ssafa forces help Mentoring scheme or have any questions, please go to www.ssafa.org.uk/mentoring or contact graham Liley, Mentoring project Manager on 07887 453050 or email [email protected]

SSAFA Forces Help is working with the Army to deliver a Mentoring project to support wounded sick and injured soldiers entering civillian life. Graham Liley, himself ex Royal Engineers, is managing the project.

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family support groups


sibLings’ SUPPORT

The Support Group for Families of Injured Service Personnel was originally established to provide mutual support to all members of

the family. Children and young adults who’s brothers and sisters have been injured in service have asked for a specific group to come together and support each other alongside the wider families meeting.

Amy Otter, 25, is the sister of Rifleman Jack Otter, aged 23 from 2 Rifles. Both live in Enfield. Her brother is a triple amputee injured by an IED in Afghanistan in 2009. ‘It was really difficult watching my Dad’s reaction to the news of my brothers injuries when we were first told about the incident.It’s sometimes hard to cope with how the roles in our family have changed and how much what happened to Jack has affected us all.’

While Amy’s employers were very supportive of her need to spend time with her family during the early days, other employers were less so. Fran Beighton is sister of Capt Nick Beighton. Nick lost both his legs and needed 36 pints of blood after stepping on a mine in Afghanistan however her employers only gave her four days compassionate leave. “As the older sibling it was up to me to look after mum and help her though this. Work simply did not understand.”

Emma Barnes co-ordinates the new siblings support group as well as the previously established group for Bereaved Siblings. She says the group is fulfilling a vital role. “The siblings in the group have talked about the pessure of helping support the family while managing your own life at a time when a lot is changing for you personally.”

“Some people are lucky, with friends able to privde support and understanding, others find that friends may become distant or expect someone to move on long before they are ready. The mutual support is offered at our regular structured meetings around the country and during weekend activity

When a Service person suffers a serious injury the entire family can be affected.

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breaks. It provides a safe environment where people can openly express their concerns with people who understand and also get practical support and advice from each other. It allows people to realise that they are not alone.” n

if you know someone that would like to join the group please contact emma barnes on 07920 586178 or [email protected]

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amy and her brother, Jack.


this summer, francis, her grace the duchess of rutland, graciously offered to host an evening of ‘Wine and roses’ with hog roast for the five eastern branches of Leicestershire & rutland; nottinghamshire; Lincolnshire; northamptonshire and derbyshire at her home belvoir Lodge. over 400 people attended and more than £6.5k was raised which will be spilt between the five branches.

three years ago, tracey barker, the land lady of the red Lion in bletchley, was persuaded to do a st george fundraiser for the Caterham and tanbridge division. she has since raised over £10,000 in four collections.

gibraltar’s annual Convent tea party took place in the Convent Cloisters with the kind permission of his excellency the governor, vice admiral sir adrian Johns kCb, Cbe. teas, a raffle and two small stalls raised more than £540 for the gibraltar in-service Committee.

volunteer news


ssafa forces help was the official charity when the tall ships race came alongside at greenock in July. argyle and bute, ayrshire, dunbartonshire, glasgow and renfrewshire along with the service committee at faslane all raised money and awareness among a crowd of 300,000 people attended the free event. ssafa forces help also provided some of the entertainment with military bands and air displays taking place in addition to the ships themselves. the event raised £5,000 for ssafa.

Cyprus ran its first young achievers awards this year. 72 entries were received in the poster competition to promote the awards and in June, 19 individuals and three group awards were celebrated, all between five and 18 years old.

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ex-Service community


ver 90,000 British troops fought in the Korean War (1950-1953) as part of the UN forces. Often referred to as the Forgotten War,

the war was brutal and bloody and hundreds of thousands of civilians and Chinese perished. 1,087 British troops were killed in action. A huge number of the serving British troops were National Service conscripts.

One such conscript was John Dyer who, at the age of 20, served as a Rifleman in the 29th Infantry Brigade with the Royal Ulster Rifles for over two and a half years. In 1951 he spent nine months in Korea where he fought in the vicious war, overcoming challenging and harsh conditions. Now aged 81, John painfully recalls that time. He suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has terrible nightmares as a result of what he saw.

In Korea, John’s brigade was posted to Imjin River to prevent enemy forces from breaking though to recapture Seoul in South Korea. It was here where he and his comrades fought in the ferocious and infamous Battle of the Imjin River. Over the course of four and a half days, from 22nd April to the morning of 26th April, 1951, 29 Brigade were hit hard

and sustained heavy casualties.

It is still too painful for John to talk about in great detail and the sights he saw in Korea stay with him to this day. “Even after all this time… this is the sort of thing that I don’t like to think of. I could draw it all for you. I remember it vividly. It was gruesome.”

Winters in Korea were tough, with temperatures often plummeting below -40 degrees, which John believes brought on his arthritis.

Upon leaving the Army, John returned to his home in Berkshire and did three years in the Territorial Army whilst also running the family thatching business. In 1957, he married Bridget, with whom he has two children. They also have three grandchildren.

Unable to leave the house as a result of his arthritis and limited mobility, John was put in touch with his local branch in Hampshire, where he now lives. They raised money on his behalf to buy an electronically powered vehicle (EPV) and his SSAFA caseworker quickly realised that John was finding it difficult to cope with his memories from the war, securing him a place on a Combat Stress programme.

John says, “I can remember it all, I just find it hard to talk about it. I often have terrible nightmares and wake up drenched in sweat. I can’t even talk to my family about it but I want to be able to, and this is why I needed help. The weekend with Combat Stress was very helpful and I now have a greater understanding of my condition and have been taught coping mechanisms to deal with the flashbacks.

“It’s been 60 years since I served, I didn’t think I was entitled to anything”, he continues. “The EPV is brilliant. It has given me my independence. I can now go down to the town on my own. I don’t know what I would have done without SSAFA. I’d be stuck in the house the whole time.” n

O

a ViCious WarEven today, people live with the consequences of their involvement in the Korean War.

19

the final word


finaL Word froM the ControLLerAt a time when many people are facing difficult and uncertain futures, the role of SSAFA Forces Help is as important now as it ever has been. The current economic climate is likely to mean that more and more members of the wider Armed Forces Community will find themselves in need of our help and assistance. We must ensure that we rise to any new challenges, as we have always done in the past.

2011 saw the 10th Anniversary of Britain’s involvement in the conflict in Afghanistan. The SSAFA Norton Homes and our Family Support Groups continue to play a vital role in helping many of the families whose lives have been changed forever during that time.

But it is equally important to recognise the work done throughout the Association to support the veterans of previous conflicts from

World War II through to Iraq. Next year will be the 30th Anniversary of the Falklands War. For some of those who fought, their experiences will affect them for the rest of their lives.

Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, providing vital, practical support to nearly 50,000 people every year. It equates to approximately 130 different people every single day. I have no doubt that we will be just as busy in 2012, if not more so. With many changes ahead for the Armed Forces, it is really important that our servicemen and women know that they can turn to SSAFA Fiorces Help and other Service charities both now and in the years ahead.

It is particularly inspiring to see some of the servicemen, whose families we have helped at the Norton Homes, raising money for us through events such as the 2011 Ride of Britain. What a fantastic achievement! This year’s ‘Big Brew Up’ was our biggest ever with troops around the world joining volunteers in Branches and in- Service Committees for the global fundraiser. Whether it’s running a marathon or simply putting the kettle on, there are so many ways in which people show their support for what we do. I am most grateful to each and every one of them.

None of the help and assistance that so many people receive every single day would be possible without the tireless dedication and commitment of our staff and volunteers. I know that I am joined by the Chairman and Trustees in thanking you all for the tremendous support you give to the work we all do. The coming year will not be without its challenges, but I am confident that SSAFA Forces Help is ready to meet them.

Major General Andrew Cumming, CBE

Controller, SSAFA Forces Help

a ViCious War

ssafa forces help provides practical, financial and emotional support. All enquires are treated in confidence.

We helped Falklands veteran Gordon Hoggan (pictured) when he found himself without a roof over his head. Read his full story, and those of other clients, at www.ssafa.org.uk/haveyouserved

If so, you and your dependents are eligible for support from the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) – Forces Help.

Anyone who has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force is eligible for our help and assistance, irrespective of when or where they served. We also assist widows and widowers.

HAvE yOu EvER SERvED iN tHE ARMED FORCES?

To find out more: Call: 020 7463 9354 (Mon-Fri 9.15am-5pm)Email: [email protected] Write to: Client Enquiry, SSAFA Forces Help, 19 Queen Elizabeth Street, London, SE1 2LP Visit: www.ssafa.org.uk/haveyouserved

News & Views Winter 2011 - SSAFA Forces Help

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