Wolfie Waves Goodbye to Loneliness
Our Wolferstans Armed Forces Team recognise that loneliness in our veteran community is a widespread problem. Although not in itself a medical issue, it can often lead to or contribute to depression, low mood, anxiety and other health concerns.
Sadly, there are many reasons why we feel lonely. Constant family moves during service may mean never putting roots down or losing contact with loved ones; injury or illness often means having difficulty maintaining a social life; loss of employment brings a lack of financial means to enjoy meeting people out. For those that have served, they may have always felt surrounded by likeminded people, activities and work. Leaving the service, especially after a lengthy period can bring feelings of emptiness, loneliness and a sense of not belonging or not fitting in.
Here at Wolferstans we want to help our local veteran community wave goodbye to loneliness. Inspired by the Captain Tom Foundation, we will be raising money to offer 100 veterans (including partners if they wish) a meal out with likeminded people during Armed Forces Week (21 -27 June 2021 -dates are Covid restrictions dependent). The more money we raise, the more we can do to support our veterans.
This project aims to ensure veterans can come together in small groups for breakfast, brunch, a coffee morning, lunch or even an afternoon tea, have some company, talk to support groups about other community-based activities and start waving goodbye to loneliness.
We are asking our colleagues, friends, families and the local community to support us in raising £5,000 to facilitate this project via our Just Giving page. Some of our colleagues are taking part in events including running, gardening and a wet sponge throw to help raise money!
Initially, we will be looking at veteran run venues to hold these events, to financially support our wider veteran community. If you would like to make a donation to our project to help Wave Goodbye to Loneliness please donate at our Just Giving Page or contact us for more details on how to get involved.
Natasha Mason, a Royal Navy Veteran and Armed Forces Engagement Champion for Wolferstans is leading the project, “There are a large number of veterans who feel lonely all too often, I’m excited that this project will help to bring veterans closer to friendships, closer to support groups and closer to waving goodbye to loneliness. Our veterans deserve our help, and no one should feel lonely”.
For more information please contact Natasha or Paige. Natasha Mason Paige Bartlett