New veteran hubs aim to tackle isolation

A community hub for military veterans is expanding to offer more people advice and support.

Help For Heroes has launched a new hub in Bridgwater, Somerset and another one in Yeovil.

Terri Underwood, Armed Forces lead for the NHS in Somerset said: "Some people come here because they feel socially isolated - so it's a great place to reminisce about the old days and also get support."

Ray Robson, a veteran from Bridgwater, said: "You can take the mick out of each other and know that help and support is here."

Veterans are also offered advice around health issues, housing or finances as the sessions have representatives from the NHS, Department of Work and Pensions, HealthWatch and Help for Heroes to talk to.

Ms Underwood: "It can really help just spending some time talking through health issues, housing or finances.

"Veterans share a common language, regardless of their service, and sometimes the general population don't realise what they've gone through, so it gives them a chance to talk."

Somerset is home to about 45,000 veterans, according to the latest census data, and the charity said a lot of them suffer from isolation.

Mr Robson, who lives alone, added: "It's somewhere to go where you can talk and it's smashing."

Claire Walsh, veterans community nurse for the west for Help for Heroes: "I've just left the Air Force myself so I'm a brand new veteran.

"It's so important to have these hubs to get together especially to just sit and chat and have the chance to get support."

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