We are delighted to share with you that The Veterans’ Foundation has awarded a further three years of funding to Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk for our Veteran Connect Advice Service, following the success of the initial pilot project.
Over the past year, the service has operated five days a week from our Stowmarket office, alongside regular engagement across Mid Suffolk. This approach has helped ensure that veterans and their families can access support wherever it is most needed.
The pilot has clearly demonstrated the value of our dedicated, military-aware advice service. Through our triage protocol, we have been able to identify members of the Armed Forces community at the earliest opportunity and provide tailored specialist support.
Demand has been strong and diverse. We have supported veterans aged from their mid-20s to their 90s. Notably, 30% of the veterans accessing our service have been women who have served in the UK’s Armed Forces. The service has also helped in the past year clients secure £80,000 in additional income, while wellbeing assessments show a 61% improvement in overall wellbeing scores following support. In addition, 95% of clients say they would recommend the service to others.
Our experience during the pilot confirms that the Armed Forces community often faces distinct challenges, particularly around benefits, relationships, and health or community care. By offering early intervention and accessible outreach, we have been able to prevent many situations from reaching crisis point while improving access for veterans living in rural communities.
We are extremely grateful to The Veterans’ Foundation for their continued support, which will allow us to build on the success of the pilot, strengthen partnerships, and look to expand access to specialist advice for serving personnel, veterans, and their families over the next three years.
