Injured and homeless: Military veteran helped by charity

Ex Royal Logistics Corps, Sarah Hussey has a dry new home thanks to SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

After sustaining an injury during her time in the Army, Sarah was medically discharged after 12 years service. Following this her marriage collapsed and she found herself homeless, living on the street. The continuous pain from her injury has prevented Sarah from sustaining meaningful employment. She relies upon a medical pension and Universal Credit to get by, meaning money is tight and renting a normal home impossible. 

For the last two years Sarah has lived in a caravan on a small residential site in Devon. Sarah says that the caravan was not in the best of condition when she bought it, but its condition over time has deteriorated to the point where there was no running water and no heating. The roof leaked when it rained.

Sarah, unable to afford repairs, approached SSAFA to ask if they could help her replace the caravan’s awning, which had rotted and was no longer fit for purpose. In addition, she asked if the charity could help her replace or repair the decking under her awning.

However, after Sarah’s SSAFA Caseworker visited the site, they realised that replacing the awning and the decking would not be sufficient to give Sarah a reasonable standard of accommodation. More drastic measures were needed.

Sarah’s SSAFA caseworker said: “I saw immediately that what was really required was a replacement caravan, to give Sarah somewhere decent to live and thereby improve her health and wellbeing.”

The caseworker helped Sarah to make applications to various charities, including SSAFA, to replace her old caravan with a new one. SSAFA caseworkers are specially trained to assist veterans and service people to find the assistance they need, be it by applying for grants or signposting to specialist services.

Sufficient funds were raised for Sarah to be able to buy a new caravan, with the assistance of Highbridge Caravan Sales, who gave a significant discount because of Sarah’s circumstances. 

Sarah says: “I am over the moon with my new home. It has made such a difference to my life and I am most grateful to SSAFA and all the service charities who supported me.”

If you are a service person or veteran, or their family who needs help you can turn to SSAFA.

If you feel you have the skills to become a SSAFA caseworker, please contact the SSAFA HUB on 02045 669131 or email: southwest.region@ssafa.org.uk