A Renfrewshire veteran is urging people to send a message of hope to former service men and women this Christmas, as new figures show nearly one in three veterans experience loneliness and isolation.
Yvonne McKillop, who served in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, is asking local residents to leave a message of support on the Help for Heroes online message wall. Yvonne has experienced loneliness and isolation herself and says she knows how deeply it can affect veterans, especially over the festive period.
Last December, thousands of messages were posted online, and Help for Heroes hopes people across Renfrewshire will take part again. The Charity plans to send more than 10,000 Christmas cards to veterans this year, each containing messages of hope from members of the public.
Yvonne said: “Veterans can sometimes feel they are forgotten by society. And if they’re living with physical injuries, disabilities or mental illness they can become isolated – and especially at Christmas, their mental health can spiral down even further.
“The messages left by members of the public last year were so heart-warming. It would be great if we could get as many messages of hope as possible from people across Renfrewshire, which will show all our veterans that their service hasn’t been forgotten. Leaving a message is easy to do and there’s no cost involved.”
Yvonne joined the Army at the age of 18 and trained as a Health Care Assistant. She injured her back lifting someone in bed and was treated at Headley Court for chronic back pain. She has lived with pain for more than 35 years.
Photo: Yvonne McKillip
She said: “I always feel a sense of loneliness. Even if my husband and son are in, I feel they don’t understand my pain, and what impact it has on my life. From having such an independent life to rely on them, is such a change.
“When you are in the armed forces, the sense of camaraderie is very strong. It’s different in civilian life and some veterans miss the military sense of family and closeness. It can lead to feelings of alienation.”
The Office for Veterans Affairs and Family Survey, published in June this year, shows that nearly one in three veterans in the UK experience loneliness. Last winter, requests for support to Help for Heroes were 25 per cent above average.
The Charity hopes this year’s messages will remind veterans that they are valued and not forgotten. Yvonne said: “A few heartfelt words can remind someone they’re seen, valued, and appreciated. It could be the first step towards them reaching out for life-changing support.
“Because no one who served their country should feel alone, forgotten, or left behind this Christmas. Together, we can help them continue their story – and make sure their next chapter is filled with hope, purpose, and belonging.”
Anyone wishing to send a message of support or make a donation can visit: https://sendamessage.helpforheroes.org.uk.