Oswestry charity which supports veterans signs the Armed Forces Covenant

One of Shropshire’s longest-standing support charities has signed up to a scheme which pledges to help serving and retired Armed Forces personnel and their families.

Oswestry-based Shropshire PCAS (Person Centred Advocacy and Support) signed the Armed Forces Covenant at Severn Hospice – a logical next step for the charity which has a proven track record in supporting many disabled and vulnerable former veterans.

The Armed Forces Covenant was set up to ensure all those who serve or have served their country and their families should be treated with fairness and respect within the local community, economy and society in general.

It covers such areas as education and wellbeing, access to a home, career, healthcare, financial assistance and discounted services.

Shropshire PCAS has been a lifeline to more than 11,000 disabled and vulnerable adults across Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin for more than 30 years with advocates and volunteers working with clients who often have no one else to turn to.

The charity supports clients, most of whom live alone and have no family support, through complex issues including housing problems, safeguarding concerns, social care access, energy bills, and health challenges.

Founder of Shropshire PCAS, Simon Arthur, said: “We are delighted to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, something which recognises our commitment to all those men and women who dedicate or have dedicated their lives to serving our country.

“It is even more important today with so much uncertainty in the world. So it is only right that we continue to acknowledge the amazing devotion of our Armed Forces personnel in their efforts to keep us all safe.

“We know only too well, however, that this service often comes with a high cost to veterans and their families and this is something that we witness first-hand at Shropshire PCAS.

“Many of the disabled and vulnerable people our advocacy service supports are former veterans trying to come to terms with life after serving. The scars they carry can be physical, mental or both and the vital service that we provide for them is often truly life changing.

“It can be very difficult adapting to life after serving in the Armed Forces, made even more challenging if those individuals have limited or no family support to rely on – possibly leading to feelings of isolation and despair.

“Signing the Armed Forces Covenant means we recognise the contribution that Armed Services personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our community and to the country.

“The key principles of the covenant are to ensure that members of the Armed Forces community should not face disadvantages arising from their service in the provision of public and commercial services, and we are proud to add our name to it – giving our full support and practical help to those people who have served our country.”

For more about Shropshire PCAS, visit https://shropshirepcas.co.uk/