Spring Newsletter 2024

Find out how SSAFA has helped those in the Armed Forces community.

Events across the world remind us of the important role our Armed Forces personnel play in protecting our freedoms and the sacrifices they and their families often make.  

As they do this very important job, they know that they can count us when times are tough on the home front, now and long after they have retired too.

Thanks to your support, and that of others like you, our volunteers and staff can help those who are struggling and need a hand up.

In this latest edition of SSAFA News for Supporters, you will hear stories from those who have benefitted from the services we provide. They have kindly shared their personal stories to show just how much your support is valued by our Armed Forces community.

Overcoming Isolation

More than 17,000 Gurkha families live in the UK. Some senior citizens face challenges in communication, transportation, and often feel isolated.

“Most of the time they are at home. They do have their bus pass, but they are not very confident to go around, and they sometimes can't drive or don't know where they are going,” says Laxmi, one of SSAFA’s Gurkha Services Outreach Workers.

The team supports retired Gurkha soldiers like Mahabir Gurung, 82, who came to the UK from Nepal in 2011, and settled in Leeds with his wife.

After serving in the British Army for 22 years, in Hong Kong, the UK and Borneo, Mahabir retired from the Gurkhas in 1981 with rank of Warrant Officer class 2.

The couple have children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren around the world, in South Korea, Japan, Iceland and America; some they have never met.

To help connect families, SSAFA launched a Digital Inclusion Project which provides free computer tablets to senior Gurkha veterans. Pre-loaded with applications in the Nepali language, the devices help them to communicate with family and friends wherever they are in the world.

Laxmi says: “This project has really overcome the isolation. It occupies them and helps them to communicate.

“It brings the family and the Gurkha community together, which makes them very happy and connected, and it is good for morale.”

In 2022, Mahabir and his wife, Bhagawati received a free tablet.

“It would be a dream to go and see them,” says Mahabir. “But because of the tablet, I get to see them every day!”

“Before we only used to talk on the phone,” says Bhagawati. “The difference now is we can see them, and they can talk more easily and see us!”

 

Respite Home

After almost losing his life to COVID, former RAF Group Captain Martin was admitted to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) in Loughborough.

“I was admitted to intensive care and spent five weeks in hospital. I thought I was going to die several times, often thinking I would never see my children again. I had lost a third of my lung capacity and my short-term memory, often becoming confused and losing consciousness,” Martin recalls.

“It was at the DMRC that I discovered how well supported they are by (SSAFA) Norton House, especially for the families of those needing treatment. I stayed at Norton House in the Summer of 2022 for another course of rehab following a full knee replacement.”

SSAFA’s Norton House provides free, safe, and supportive accommodation for servicemen and women undergoing rehab at DMRC and their loved ones, enabling them to stay nearby. With around 400 resident patients this helps to provide that crucial moral and psychological support they need to feel better and get stronger.

“The last couple of years have just been the biggest challenge ever. My recurring knee injury and loss of mobility has really taken its toll and I've really struggled with my mental health for quite a long time, and what I took from that course (at DMRC) has been immeasurably helpful. It’s a fantastic facility.

“At Norton House it doesn't matter what service you're in, whether you're a dependent or an active member of the Armed Forces, you're made to feel welcome and given effectively a second home while you're at the rehabilitation centre.”

A Life-Changing Experience

Mum of three Sam Kendall describes the SSAFA Short Break that she, husband Chris, and two of their children, attended as the best holiday their family has ever had, by far.

Teenage daughter, Bethany, has autism. Because of this, some of her behaviours and needs make it difficult to plan and take trips that the whole family can enjoy. Prior to attending the SSAFA Short Break they had never even considered going on an adventure holiday. But when they heard about the programme, they thought they’d give it a try.

The Short Break helped the Kendall Family create memories they treasure. Now, they want to thank SSAFA and its supporters who make the adventure breaks possible for families like theirs.

Sam tells us: “I think it's really important to let whoever they are that donate know what amazing opportunities they really do give families.

“SSAFA Short Breaks allow for such a safe space. You don't get these things in days out or a cinema trip. To have this whole four nights away was absolutely incredible. It's given us the confidence to try something like that without it being in an organisation and to be a little bit more just go with it” explains Sam.

Last year the family packed up their campervan and drove to France on a five-night holiday visiting Paris and Disney. Sam says, “It was amazing! We don’t think we would have done this if it hadn’t been for the confidence we came away with after our SSAFA short break.”

How you can help

Even a small donation can make a difference. 

Just £10 can help us keep our Forcesline phone desk running, allowing all members of the Armed Forces community to reach out to us for help.

Larger donations can be used for even more extensive work, from training our caseworkers, who can visit grieving families at home, providing critical on-the-ground contact and support.

Whatever you can give, SSAFA will proudly put it to good use, to support the brave men and women who serve our country, and the families that they leave behind.