I’m not sure if I qualify for support from you as I don’t think the person I care for is a Veteran….

I’m not sure if I qualify for support from you as I don’t think the person I care for is a Veteran. They completed their National Service but they don’t know if this means they are a Veteran? Also, I’m unsure of the kind of support you would be able to offer if I did qualify?

Firstly, the person you are caring for is considered to have Veteran status, as their period of national service means that they are an Armed Forces Veteran. A Veteran is defined as anyone who has served for at least one day in the British Armed Forces and includes both regular or reserve or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations, although many former Armed Forces personnel in the UK do not define themselves as ‘veterans’.

National Service was introduced in 1947 after the Second World War (1939 – 45) and was designed as a standardised form of peacetime conscription for all
able-bodied males between the ages of 17 and 21. Service was for eighteen months. National Service ended in 1960, however periods of deferred service were still required to be completed, hence the last national servicemen were discharged in 1963.

Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation that those who serve and have served, and their families, should be treated fairly. The Government, local authorities, the wider public sector, charities and commercial organisations all have a role in supporting the Armed Forces Community; past and present. Suffolk Family Cares signed up to the Covenant pledge on 14th February 2020 when we launched the Military Families Project.

The type of support we can offer can be tailored to support each individual and to offer support for you, with your caring role. Support can include:

Emotional and wellbeing advice, over the telephone or in person
Advice with practical issues
Signposting to specific agencies for support
Access to workshops at Suffolk Family Carers (online and face –to-face)
Access to social activities for you and your family, including family passes for ‘The Food Museum’ and ‘Easton Farm Park’.