Handbook for veterans offered by council

Councillors Neil Chester and Gordon Cowan have both served in the armed forces

A handbook to support armed forces veterans and their families living in East Kent has been published by Dover District Council.

The Veterans' Guidebook offers information and advice on housing, money, jobs and wellbeing for those who have left the services.

It is freely available in health centres and community hubs.

The council was awarded an Employer Recognition Gold Medal from the Ministry of Defence in 2020 for its support of the armed forces community in the workplace.

Councillor Gordon Cowan, the council's Armed Forces Champion, served until 1977 when he left to start a family.

"There are thousands and thousands of our soldiers who do 22 years and that's the only life they have had," he said.

"They see that civilian street and wonder 'where do I turn?'"

'Emotional pathway'

Councillor Neil Chester served in the Light Dragoons and Royal Armour Corps between 1992 and 1999.

He said there had been nothing to help him settle back into non-army life.

"This document talks about an emotional pathway," he said.

"There is also lots of practical help with finance, housing and just like how to get a dentist and where to have a hair cut"

Councillor Chester came up with the idea for the handbook after talking to local veterans and drawing on his own experiences.

"I feel like veterans are left out of society and most of them will not ask for help and because of that, they are excluded by their own means," he said.