Kidderminster veteran urges people to send message of hope this Christmas
An Army veteran, from Kidderminster, is asking local people to send messages of support this Christmas to veterans who are struggling with physical and mental challenges.
Last Christmas, thousands of people sent messages of hope to isolated veterans, as part of a campaign by Armed Forces charity Help for Heroes. For some it was the only card they received that year and for others it was a powerful reminder of their service and the support that is still out there.
These small acts of kindness encouraged some veterans to reach out for life-changing support. This year, the Charity has seen requests for support surging by 54 per cent and is looking to encourage more members of the public to reach even more veterans with messages of support and encouragement.
Tim Seeley, aged 58, left the army after a 10-year career, as a medic and a First Aid instructor. Tim got in touch with Help for Heroes, when he was struggling to manage his PTSD and a back injury, which affected his mental health and left him isolated. He said he understands how some of his former colleagues will be feeling: “As somebody that has been alone and homeless at Christmas, it is the most vulnerable a person can be and you feel totally alone and feel that nobody cares. “I live on my own and this can be isolating. It can make your mental health spiral and can start you catastrophizing and ruminating, so having someone showing you are not alone can help immeasurably”.
During military service, service men and women have a strong support network and a close-knit community, but transitioning to civilian life can destroy that. Coupled with physical and mental health issues, which can prevent them from socialising, Christmas can become a time filled with dread rather than a celebration.
Worcestershire is home to around 21,262 veterans and Tim believes that there are more who could be helped by Help for Heroes. He explained: “Last Christmas I received one of Help for Heroes Christmas Cards which was such an unexpected surprise. The message from a member of the public was extremely heart warming, amazing.”
Anyone who wants to get involved can simply post a message on the on-line Message Wall Send a message to a veteran this Christmas | Help For Heroes Last year Christmas cards with messages of support were sent to more than 9,500 veterans.
Help for Heroes supports veterans and their families, from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians who worked under the command of UK Armed Forces. The Charity remains at the side of veterans who are struggling, providing life-changing support for as long as it takes.
If you or someone you know needs support, go to helpforheroes.org.uk.
