By Isle of Wight Observer
Although I was born in London, Cowes has always been my home, and as a youngster I spent most of my holidays either dinghy-sailing from Gurnard and Wootton, or ferrying sailors to and from their boats in Cowes in my little rowing dinghy, to earn a bit of pocket money.
Soon after leaving school, I spent the next 36 years in the Army, serving all over the world. Along the way I was awarded a Royal Humane Society Award for helping to rescue a casualty in Snowdonia, Mentioned in Dispatches for my service in Northern Ireland, and awarded an OBE for service to Reserves and Cadets in London and Yorkshire. But always, as a family, we would return as often as we could to spend time with my parents, and mess about in boats in Cowes, the Solent and the Channel. So when I retired in 2016 it was no surprise that we moved back to the family home in Cowes, where I have become involved in volunteer work, supporting Cowes Sea Cadets, the RYS IW Foundation and Church Warden at Holy Trinity.
Throughout my time in the Army, SSAFA Forces Help, the oldest armed forces charity, was always there to help serving soldiers and their families when the going got tough. I was always immensely impressed by SSAFA’s force for good and its wonderful effect on my soldiers’ morale. So again, it was no surprise, when I came to live permanently on this Island, that it was not long before I found myself chairman of the Isle of Wight Branch.
SSAFA was formerly known as the Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force Association, and was founded over 130 years ago by an army officer seeking to raise money for the families of those killed in the Zulu War. Today, our support covers current and former regulars and reserves in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force, including anyone who has completed National Service. Importantly, we extend our reach to families and dependents as well. Support is available for people at any stage in their military career, from the youngest recruit to the oldest veteran – no one’s service is ever forgotten.
Although our office is in Ryde, our team of volunteer caseworkers travel across the Island to visit those in need. All have been trained to assess exactly what is required and then to provide tailored help to the individual or family. This may just be a friendly ear but, more often than not, we access financial assistance and we signpost to our other charity partners to help people get their lives back on track.
For me, as a volunteer, it is working with a wonderful team of like-minded, experienced and loyal caseworkers on the Island that makes SSAFA such a rewarding experience. Recently, and in a very hands-on way, my fellow volunteers have helped with relocation expenses (rent deposit, provision of basic white goods and furniture), accessible wet areas, stair lifts and mobility scooters, as well as signposting for support with debt and mental health issues, and sometimes, unfortunately, funeral expenses.
Whatever issues our Island ex-servicemen and women are facing – from homelessness, debt, addiction, physical or mental health problems – our personalised support will help them through it, for as long as it takes to get that person’s life back to where they want it to be. The satisfaction of knowing, in a time of need, that you have made someone’s life just a little bit better is immensely rewarding. That’s why we do it.
If anyone reading this needs SSAFA’s support, or you feel might be able to join us as a volunteer, please don’t hesitate to contact SSAFA Isle of Wight by calling 020 4566 9126 or emailing SouthEast.Region@ssafa.org.uk.