'Only 19% Think UK Vets Well Looked After'

Less than one in five adults think UK military veterans are well looked after, according to new research from a forces charity.

The Royal Air Forces Association found that 19% of people believed veterans are well looked after, although this figure fluctuated across different age groups. It dropped to 9% among respondents aged 65+, while amongst people aged 25-34 it was 32%.

The charity also looked at the public's awareness of and exposure to various social issues.

While 40% of respondents have definitely seen, read or heard something about mental health issues among veterans in the past three months, less than a quarter (23%) of the population say this about the issue of loneliness among Armed Forces veterans.

Rory O’Connor, Director of Welfare and Policy at the Royal Air Forces Association, said:

"Our research shows that while the public are understandably concerned about veteran care in this country, the issue of loneliness seems to be less well known."

With over half of the UK Armed Forces veteran population aged 75 or over, relationship or isolation issues affect approximately 170,000 RAF veterans, with 85,000 of them specifically experiencing loneliness.

To combat these concerns, the RAF Association has introduced a befriending service to provide support and companionship to RAF veterans experiencing social isolation.

It pairs a veteran with one of the association's volunteers for a visit and a chat, giving them the chance to share their RAF experiences.

"The befriending service is an important initiative which provides invaluable welfare support for the 1.5 million strong RAF family. If you or someone you may know could benefit from befriending, we'd encourage you to get in touch with us as no veteran should ever feel lonely or isolated. A veteran's service should be shared, celebrated, and never forgotten."

Those who could benefit from this scheme can call 0800 0182 361 or visit www.rafa.org.uk/befriending.

More: Football With A Twist Brings Veterans Together In Wales