Can you spare an hour or two to help the armed services community?

Volunteering as a befriender can make such a difference to someone's life.

In 2016, volunteers for SSAFA Glasgow supported 275 veterans and their families in need in the county. The military charity, which has supported currently serving members of our Armed Forces, veterans and their families for over 131 years, is seeing the requests for support from this group increase and become more complex.

SSAFA Glasgow operates volunteer led support services and needs new caseworkers across the city and suburbs. SSAFA volunteer caseworkers support members of the Armed Forces community in a range of ways, including:

Visiting them in their homes, assessing their needs and building a bespoke package of support.

Providing support with issues such as – mobility, home repairs, household goods, homelessness, marriage breakdown, mental health problems, urgent debt support, essential food and groceries and clothing and training costs to help younger veterans back into work.

Accessing funds for house adaptations for a serviceman or woman injured whilst fighting for their country.

Befriending elderly veterans and providing them with some much-needed company to combat loneliness and isolation.

Raising the rent for a young veteran unemployed and struggling to transition from military life to civilian life.

Former teacher Pam Reynolds has been a SSAFA volunteer caseworker for more than seven years. Pam says: “I have volunteered for SSAFA for more than seven years and they have flown by. I have met some of the most interesting and wonderful people while working with the charity and love the work we do. It’s the satisfaction of seeing a person in need; go from sometimes dire circumstances, through to getting back on their feet and living the life they deserve.

“It’s such a rewarding role that is never the same day by day so you’ll never get bored.

“For me, especially since retiring from the education sector, volunteering has given me new life and energy and I am keeping fit and my mind active as a result, all whilst supporting the Armed Forces community with the work of the charity. I simply love it and it gives me a chance to continue to use my professional skills and those gained in my personal life – I don’t intend to get bored in my retirement!

“So whoever you are – whatever age or background and wherever you are, give SSAFA a call or visit www.ssafa.org.uk/newrecruits to find out more or to sign up, you won’t regret it!”