Navy veteran, Cedric Holland, and his daughter Anne who receive support from Blind Veterans UK
A charity roadshow hosted by national military charity Blind Veterans UK and supported by Music in Hospitals is bringing a live music event to National Service and Armed Forces veterans in Great Yarmouth.
The event takes place on Thursday 2 February from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at The Priory Centre, Priory Plain, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1NW.
It is open to all veterans born before 1 January 1950, not just those with sight loss. Family members and carers are also welcome.
Veterans will have the opportunity to relax with a cup of tea and enjoy a live music performance delivered by national charity Music in Hospitals.
As well as representatives from Blind Veterans UK, other organisations will be available to chat to veterans including The Royal British Legion and SSAFA. Advice and information can be offered on issues including health and wellbeing, housing, pensions and social activities in the local area.
Blind Veterans UK received a grant from the Aged Veterans Fund last year to deliver twelve events around the county to reach out to all veterans. While Blind Veterans UK supports all vision impaired veterans, regardless of when they served and how they lost their sight, this fund is to support all National Service and Armed Forces veterans born before 1 January 1950, and is not limited to people with vision-impairments.
Annabel Venn, Aged Veterans Fund Project Manager at Blind Veterans UK, said: “Blind Veterans UK hopes that this event will introduce all veterans to a potential new support network in their area. It is also a chance to enjoy some live music and meet others in a similar situation. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the wide array of services available to ex-Service men and women in and around Great Yarmouth.
“If you are a veteran, or know a veteran, and would like to attend but have difficulty with transport, please get in touch as we may be able to help you.”
Steve Rowland-Jones, Chief Executive of Music in Hospitals, said: “Music in Hospitals is thrilled to receive support this year from the Aged Veterans Fund, allowing us to bring our therapeutic live music concerts to the ex-service community. This funding will create joy for thousands of older veterans who may not otherwise have access to high quality live music. We are delighted to be working with Blind Veterans UK which helps us to reach a wider audience of veterans living in the community.”
This event is made possible by a grant from the Aged Veterans Fund, funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds, and is part of a roadshow series being held around the country.
To register your interest in attending, or for further information, please contact Annabel Venn on 0207 6167928 or email annabel.venn@blindveterans.org.uk.
ENDS
For all media enquiries please contact: Annabel Venn, Aged Veterans Fund Project Manager, Blind Veterans UK, 12 – 14 Harcourt Street, London, W1H 4HD, E: annabel.venn@blindveterans.org.uk, T: 020 7616 7928
Notes to Editor
Blind Veterans UK
Blind Veterans UK (formerly St Dunstan’s) is a national charity that believes that no-one who has served our country should have to battle blindness alone. It provides blind and vision impaired ex-Service men and women with lifelong support including welfare support, rehabilitation, training, residential and respite care.
Aged Veterans Fund
The Aged Veterans Fund has £25 million available over 5 years. It will fund projects that support non-core health, wellbeing and social care needs for older veterans (born before 1 January 1950), including surviving World War II veterans, those who undertook National Service and other voluntary enlisted veterans who may need some focused support in relation to their health and social care needs.
