New Study Launched Into Support Available For NI Veterans

Northern Ireland veterans seeking ex military jobs could soon benefit from new research about to be undertaken into the support and services that are available to them and their families, the first time such work has been carried out into the country's veteran community.

Conducted by Ulster University, with funding provided by the Forces in Mind Trust, the Northern Ireland Veteran Support Committee and the Ministry of Defence, the three-year study aims to review service availability, increase awareness of this, identify the needs of those transitioning to civilian life and recommend how access could be improved witih regards to support and guidance.

Dr Cherie Armour, psychologist with Ulster University, said: "For the first time, we will be able to develop a full understanding of services available to Northern Ireland-based veterans and their families and use that information to help safeguard their wellbeing by providing easy access to the right support, now and in the future."

Northern Ireland is thought to have a huge veteran community that spans several generations, including those who may well have served all over the world for the RAF, navy or army before going home with their families.

There are already groups out there that provide support for veterans, including the SSAFA, the oldest military charity in the UK. Recent research from the organisation revealed that seven out of ten Britons believe more should be done to support veterans, with 65 per cent saying that the benefits given to veterans by the US government shows that they are more valued in America than they are here.