A new veterans’ well-being project has launched with the aim of supporting ex-forces members and their families in Thanet and Canterbury.
East Kent Mind Armed Forces Connector Karen Brinkman has completed service champions training for the Armed Forces Network and is helping the charity to launch a survey and organise events.
The first veterans’ get together will be on February 17 in partnership with Margate FC Community Trust. The Trust has offered the use of the sponsors lounge for veterans to meet for pre match refreshments before watching the game.
Karen, who also runs various Thanet business groups, said: “We are trying to reach veterans that may not have connected with existing hubs and breakfast clubs.
“We have other events lined up and we’re launching a Thanet Female Veterans group in March on International Women’s Day.
“My role is getting people connected that may not have come forward before. The survey is to find out what people are interested in and about their wellbeing.”
The scheme is funded by Kent County Council and Karen has been supported by existing Armed Forces members such as Kevin Hobbs who runs the Thanet veterans’ breakfast club and The Veterans Association in Birchington.”
It is hoped that there will be various offers such as reduced entry at Margate FC by showing a veteran’s card as well as a monthly e-bulletin filled with information on trips, activities, and support, and a monthly draw to receive a £20 M&S voucher.
The 2021 census, with updated details in Spring 2023, showed there were 52,545 UK armed forces veterans living in Kent with 88% of those veterans being male, and 57.9% aged 65 and over.
The census statistics showed 97.9% of Kent veterans were living in households while 2.1% were resident in communal establishments.
Thanet had the largest number of UK armed forces veterans in Kent – 5,765 veterans – accounting for 11% of all veterans in the county. Of those 5,055 were male and 714 female.
Thanet had the highest number and proportion of veterans not in good health, with 2,454 (42.5%) and the highest number and proportion of disabled veterans, with 2,139 (37.1%).
Thanet has existing veterans clubs including a special hub at Ramsgate Royal British Legion, The Veterans Association in Birchington and the breakfast club.
The aim of the new wellbeing program is to bring services to people who may not have accessed them before with a recent YouGov poll showing 41% of British Armed Forces veterans feel lonely or isolated after leaving the military.
Former Armed Forces personnel and Reservists who are interested in the new wellbeing hub and/or would like to attend the Margate FC vs Canvey Island game on February 17 contact Karen by emailing [email protected]
Find the survey at https://eastkentmind.org.uk/armed-forces-connector-survey/
There is also a new Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Clubs portal with access to over 450 AFVBC clubs worldwide. Find your nearest AFVBC https://www.afvbc.NET
