The Armed Forces community includes Armed Forces personnel, their
families and veterans. Their numbers are vast- estimated by Government at
totalling over 10 million people.
In Gosport, the size of the Armed
Forces Community is estimated to be nearly 5,400 people. The demands imposed on
the Armed Forces in the course of their duty are unique and set them apart from
others who serve and protect society. These special circumstances provide the
potential for disadvantage and should be taken into account by local
policymakers and service providers to ensure their needs and circumstances are
understood.
The Government has identified some areas of disadvantage experienced as:
- Lifestyle
choice – The unique demands of their profession can hinder the real and
sustainable choices Armed Forces personnel and their families have for
balancing military and family life;
- Continuity of
Public Services – Service mobility risks disadvantaging personnel and
their dependents regarding access to and continuity of local public
services wherever they are based and whenever they are obliged to move;
- Ongoing
Treatment and Support – Their service comes with inherent risks of serious
physical and mental injury which can result in the need for ongoing treatment
and welfare support for themselves and their families.
UK National Statistics from April 2011 estimate the total Armed Forces
serving personnel in Gosport to be 1,540 , of which 1,350 were Naval, 160 Army
and 30 Royal Air Force. More information
can be found on the following link:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/hub/statistics-producers/publications/index.html?newquery=*&source-agency=Defence&pagetype=release-landing-page
The Armed Forces Pensions Services confirmed a further 3,243 persons in Gosport received this service and included veterans,
widows, widowers and children.
The Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) web site can provide
further information on the following link:
http://www.dasa.mod.uk/
SSAFA Forces Help – A national charity helping serving soldiers, sailors
and airmen, veterans and the families of both. SSAFA can be contacted locally
on 02392 529945 or at its national office on 020 7403 8783. More information
about the charity’s work can be found on the following link:
http://www.ssafa.org.uk/
The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) produced a report in April 2011 in partnership with the Royal British Legion featuring information about the needs of armed forces personnel, reservists, veterans and their families and recommendations for ways in which local authorities and other organisations can better meet their needs.
Honouring the Armed Forces Community
