East Riding of Yorkshire Council has provided £50,000 towards care for veterans, following a council motion in February 2023.
The 2021 census revealed that the East Riding has an above average proportion of veterans living in the area. Accordingly, additional resources were allocated to help members of the Armed Forces community who may be struggling with financial, housing, health or wellbeing issues.
The funding was used to create an East Riding Community Covenant (ERCC) Delivery Group Fund. The fund provided grants, from £500 to £5,000, to a range of partner organisations.
In total, there were 17 successful applications to the fund which were awarded a combined total of £49,131.63.
These applications supported veterans, serving personnel and their families across the area, through a wide range of projects and initiatives.
One organisation that benefited was the Military Assistance Social Hub (M.A.S.H). The grant provided to M.A.S.H funded the purchase of a van for the transportation of vulnerable and socially isolated veterans in rural areas. This helped veterans and their dependants to attend M.A.S.H activities and hospital appointments.
A grant provided to Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) provided immediate support to veterans experiencing crises. Veterans experiencing food poverty were also assisted with emergency food shops or vouchers.
One veteran shared his experiences, stating that
“As soon as I reached out for help, it was there. In a week I was off the streets and living in a hostel. My Advisor at WWTW, got behind me straight away. He helped me prepare to get back into work and to find a job.
I had not engaged with society for three years and had very few personal effects. He found the funds for suitable interview clothes and, after I successfully got the job, WWTW helped to buy food and a travel ticket until I got paid and could cover my costs. I’m still adjusting to my new life - last Christmas I was homeless, living on the streets and I had no job. Now I’ve got a job and my own home!”
Additional grants were provided to help veterans, serving personnel and their families engage with allotments, community gardens, breakfast clubs, an art project, family support and other activities.
Following the success of these initiatives, the council has allocated a further £55,000 in 2024/25 for projects for veterans. Grants made- will, as in 2023/24 enable voluntary and partner organisations to support the needs of the members of the local Armed Forces community over the next year.
Cllr Liam Dealtry, Armed Forces Member Champion, said
“We’re proud to support veterans across the East Riding. I’m delighted that these fantastic initiatives have helped veterans in need and look forward to providing further support over the coming year”
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