Joining Forces

A new project has been launchd to support veterans in Cheshire East.

Age UK Cheshire East’s ‘Joining Forces’ project, financed from the Government’s LIBOR-funded Aged Veterans Fund, aims to support older veterans by helping them manage their health and finances, maintain their independence, and stay connected and included within their local community by tackling loneliness and social isolation.

The project will focus on veterans aged 55 and over in Cheshire East.

Chief Executive of Age UK Cheshire East, Mr Damon Taylor, as well as the Joining Forces Veteran’s Wellbeing Coordinator, Mike Askew and local MPs, David Rutley and Esther McVey, attended the launch of the new project at Macclesfield Town Hall, where they met with local veterans and heard about their experiences of accessing health and care services to support their needs.

Through the Joining Forces project, Age UK Cheshire East aims to work with local organisations and other veterans charities to improve the lives of ex-service personnel.

Mike Askew, Veterans Wellbeing Coordinator, will be able to support veterans by providing information and advice, signposting and referring into relevant services and providing more concentrated one-to-one support for a smaller number of more vulnerable and/or complex cases.

Mike said: “Thanks to everyone who came along to the launch on Friday, it was great to share more information about the project with you. This project aims to compliment the great work already being carried out in our community and I very much look forward to working together with our local partners to engage with and support older veterans throughout Cheshire East over the next few years.”

David Rutley commented, “I am pleased to support this important initiative. It is vital that our older veterans are properly supported for the significant sacrifices they have made for our country. I hope that the Joining Forces project will help highlight the range of support services available for older veterans, helping to tackle loneliness and isolation and promoting mental wellbeing. I would encourage local residents, businesses and voluntary groups to consider how they might be able to actively support this excellent project going forwarded.”

If you’d like to find out more about Joining Forces or have ideas about partnership working, please call Mike on 01625 612958 or email mike.askew@ageukcheshireeast.org