Soldiers Who Fall on Hard Times

[anitacorbett]

ON another note why isnt there a system in place to help our lads (and lasses) should they fall on hard times? One that would leave their dignity intack preferably.
So sad, there but for the grace of God ....
Anita x

[Smokeyjoe]

ON another note why isnt there a system in place to help our lads (and lasses) should they fall on hard times? One that would leave their dignity intack preferably.
So sad, there but for the grace of God ....
Anita x

Anita there are various charitable organisations out there that could help, the proplem seems to be arranging that the person who needs the help contacts someone and asks for help.
Without knowing the details of Ian Jones it is hard to comment, what I will say it is sometimes a fact that the person that needs help is unwilling to seek help and if it is offered may well turn it down .
My brother died from alcohol abuse, help was offered and available to him which he refused, as you say it is very sad and there but for the grace of god go I.
Kind regards,
Joe.

[anitacorbett]

Does everyone know how to get that help? I know if heaven forbid, I needed help beyond the Regiment or SSAFA I wouldn't know where to go.
Sad that people refuse help but I suppose pride gets in the way. Beyond that how do we make sure that those who need it at least know where to ask for this help? After that its choice I suppose isn't it?
Anita x
P.S I'm not talking about Ian especially as I didnt know him, I'm just asking generally.

[Smokeyjoe]

Anita,
It is very difficult to aswer your question as to where ex service people can go for help, I was a casworker for SSAFA for about 5 years and during that time it was a golden rule of SSAFA and the RBL and other charities that I dealt was that the approach for help had to come from the client, unfortunatley im most cases the client did not want to make that approach.
The culprit that upsets the system is the Data Protectio Act because the various agencys can not pass info on people who may need help to the relevant department or Charity.
In my opinion it is bureaucracy gone mad and again in my opinion led by orgaisations such as Liberty who do not agree with passing on information to other party's even if it helps people in need.
Sorry to go on a bit but I feel very strongly about this as you do, this is not an answer to your question realy just my opinion.
Kind regards,
Joe.

[anitacorbett]

Joe, I agree with you completly about the Data Protection and all that.
Like you it makes me so mad to think that the help can only be given (as I see it) if it is asked for by the person suffering. Sometimes that person may be too stubborn or ill or whatever to do that but loved ones or even concerned friends should be able to go somewhere and say please help. I wouldn't want us to go back to the days when people could be interred at a whim, at the same time its so frustrating to see someone who needs help (be it an elderly person or someone younger who has fallen on hard times etc)and not be able to do a thing about it. How can we care when the system wont allow us too?
Take care everyone and pray you're never too stubborn. ill or proud to ask for help!
Anita x

[rikoshea]

when I fell on hard times in 1991 after leaving the Army a single parent, leaving behind a house and furniture. Leaving Ireland with only 2 suitcases full of toys for my son and clothes for both of us. I eventually found my own place rented by a private landlord, I got in touch with SSAFA and they arranged for the RWF & UDR to give me both £500 each to help furnish my new home.

eventually after 2 years with this private landlord the council, gave me a place and the rest is history. The British Legion I may ask was not so cooperative, they seen it as not their problem.

I know own my own property.

SO if you do fall on hard times no matter how long you served or how long you've been out get in touch with SSAFA they will help.

[5haron]

FYI -

http://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/viewarticle.aspx?sectionid=5303&articleid=2732412

[Smokeyjoe]

Thanks for the link Sharon,
I have read the article with interest, the catch 22 as I see it is that in very simple terms the state are now relying on Charities to sort out all types of service proplems, I can only speak concerning our local area in Colwyn Bay when I say that when the local council and other agencys are aware that a person is seeking help for an exservice person they invariably say "we will leave it with you, let us know how you get on" they rely on volunteers to sort out the proplems for them.
If the major charities and Regimental Associations were to close down I dread to think what would happen, with service hospitals now non-existant successive governments have let the service community down in all sorts of ways, I suggest that the next time a prospective MP or AM approach our members asking for suuport do what I did the other day and tell them in no uncertain terms how you feel about the situation in regards to the disgracefull treatment of our service community.
If nothing else it will let you blow off steam at the right people.
I feel better already,
Kind regards,
Joe.

[anitacorbett]

I'm pleased to hear that life has now got better for you Rik but what a way for you to have been treated in the first place. Thank heavens for SSAFA and thumbs down to the british Legion then... unless someone else knows better?
Seems to me we have to just take care of each other. At least via this forum we could ask for help from people we'll understand and hopefully not judge.
Anita x

[rikoshea]

Thanks Anita.