Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory, KBE CB, chief executive, SSAFA, writes:

SSAFA, the armed forces charity, has been providing vital support for our troops, veterans and their families for 131 years and is the oldest national military charity in

the UK.

While attention can often be focused on the problems faced by older, retired veterans, SSAFA has identified a group of working-age veterans aged between 16 and 64 who are ­living in pretty desperate ­circumstances. Although most troops transition well, these men and women are not ­fulfilling their potential in ­civilian life and their plight is too easily ignored.

In 2005, 25 per cent of the people SSAFA supported ­locally across the UK were less than 60 years of age; 10 years later and this figure had risen to over 40 per cent, showing a trend of more younger veterans needing support. However, many of these younger ­veterans who are being helped by SSAFA tell us that for a long time after leaving the armed forces they felt too proud to ask for help.

SSAFA’s current ‘Got Your Back’ campaign is encouraging vulnerable veterans to come forward for help.

We understand that our ­soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen are resilient characters. While serving the nation they become fitter, more robust and more self-sufficient – they are rightly proud of their role and of themselves.

If any readers are in need of support and they are veterans or serving members of the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force, contact SSAFA’s confidential ‘Forcesline’ on 08007 314880, or email www.ssafa. org.uk/gotyourback. If a family member finds themself in this position, please would you encourage them to get in touch.

SSAFA feels very strongly that members of our armed forces and their families have ‘had our backs’, and now we must protect theirs whenever necessary.