SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, this week launched its ‘Got Your Back’ campaign to encourage vulnerable veterans of working age in Cornwall to come forward for help.  

SSAFA’s Cornwall branch is one of the charity’s 92 volunteer-run, local branches across the globe, seven of which are in the South West. 

The Cornwall branch has supported 140 people so far this year, but SSAFA believes there are many more local veterans who would benefit from, but are not asking for help. The branch covers a wide area and has divisions in East Cornwall, Mid Cornwall and West Cornwall. 

The charity says that while most Service leavers make a successful transition to civilian life, some younger veterans  are experiencing serious social and financial difficulties  and are reliant on food banks while others have ended up homeless or in prison. 

SSAFA reports that some of the most common needs of those vulnerable veterans who live in Cornwall include urgent debt support, essential food and groceries and clothing, home mobility adaptations for those who have been injured in service and training costs to help them back into work. 

Cornwall veterans and their families who are in need, can contact SSAFA’s Forcesline which is confidential and free of the chain of command, either by Freephone on 0800 731 4880 or by emailing the team via www.ssafa.org.uk/gotyourback .  

The charity is also asking members of the public who may be concerned about a veteran to encourage them to contact SSAFA Forcesline for help.