The Veterans’ Foundation continues its ongoing support of Deafblind UK with the latest grant for its Veterans Wellbeing Service.
Deafblind UK is a national charity that supports people with sight and hearing loss by providing practical and emotional help, information, and specialist services to increase independence and reduce isolation.
They offer a wide range of services, including a helpline, technology support, social groups, befriending, and supported living, all aimed at helping individuals live the lives they want.
The charity offers a range of free services specifically for veterans with sight and hearing loss, including a dedicated helpline, guidance groups on pensions and benefits, and virtual social groups.
The organisation continues to see demand for their Veterans Wellbeing Service, which has been supported by the Veterans’ Foundation over the last 4 years.
“The charity is so proud and extremely grateful to receive ongoing support from the Veterans’ Foundation and a huge thank you extends to its supporters,” said Mike Wycherley, Head of Charitable Services at Deafblind UK.
“We pride ourselves on being able to offer bespoke services to every individual who comes to us for help, as everyone has their own specific needs from us.”
The latest Veterans’ Foundation grant will go towards the core costs of Deafblink UK’s Veterans Wellbeing Service, which includes salaries, organisational overheads and marketing.
Eric is a veteran who receives quarterly wellbeing contacts to ensure he is well and see if there is anything further Deafblind UK can do for him.
“He has been an active member of our fortnightly telephone group for a number of years," Mike continued.
"The volunteer host in our telephone group found out that Eric was struggling to monitor his heart rate in accordance with his doctor's wishes, so we provided information to help Eric source a suitable smart watch for this purpose, which was followed by support from our Digital Inclusion team to help him set this up and use it daily.
Eric said: "This is an amazing gadget - it's just what I needed."
Another veteran, called Andy, lives with his wife, who is also Deafblind, in a very rural area.
They find themselves very isolated and have no family around them.
They both joined a fortnightly telephone group that allows them both to speak to other Deafblind people.
"Andy's wife mentioned how much he enjoys the group and that he is able to tell his jokes and engage with other people,” said Mike.
"Over the winter months, they have joined the Deafblind UK 'Winter Wellness' Saturday evening group, giving them even more contact with people from across the country.
"Through the Deafblind UK Wellbeing Service, Andy receives a call on his birthday and this year received a Christmas contact too."
"It's great to know that people are out there", said Andy.
