Veterans Support Funding Likened To 'Postcode Lottery'

A celebrated community volunteer who works with military veterans in Greater Manchester has compared getting local authority funding to a "postcode lottery".

Claire Wright, the founder of Trafford Veterans, said despite the generosity of the community and local business, more support is needed from the Government.

While Ms Wright acknowledges that the Government has to "draw the line somewhere", she said it is "like a postcode lottery as to where the support goes".

"You look at projects like Forces Connect where, down south, the councils have all come together to… actively support their veterans' groups," she said.

"It seems very, very different up here. We’re not sure why, it just is.

"A lot of emphasis at the moment in the press is on feeding children and I just feel the elderly need support."

Ms Wright has spent the majority of her time in lockdown volunteering to support veterans in Trafford.

One veteran, Phil, a 99-year-old former RAF serviceman, was referred to Trafford Veterans by social services, and he told Ms Wright being in lockdown was like being in a prisoner of war camp.

"I can’t go out – I’m stuck in my flat," he said.

"I feel completely out of touch with the real world."

Ms Wright doesn't know what else to do, after applications to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund to create a veterans' hub have been turned down.  

A spokesman for Trafford Council said they "have provided funding on several occasions" but do not have "specific funding available to create a Veterans’ Hub".

Additionally, the spokesman said they "have not been approached for help to submit a joint funding bid to any other organisations", but would work with Trafford Veterans to "explore potential funding streams: when the current lockdown has ended.

Ms Wright, who has recently been recognised for her work with a personalised bench installed outside of the town hall, said she will continue to look for ways to fund their new hub.

She was nominated as part of a National Lottery campaign after research showed 58% of people now have an increased appreciation for community workers than before the pandemic.

It also showed 78% of people believe it is more important to have award ceremonies celebrating everyday people than celebrities.

And Ms Wright said she was "bowled over" by the installation of the bench.

"They’ve put my name on the bench, but we’re a team, we’re very much a team, so this really is for all of us," she said.