Fighting loneliness with SSAFA's new Champions

12 June 2023

SSAFA has launched a new initiative in time for Loneliness Awareness Week, 12-18 June. Recognising that military life can often cause loneliness and isolation, the charity is recruiting Community Connection Champions (CCC) across the world, to help service people and their families, wherever they are posted, feel less alone.

Suzette Leach, SSAFA’s Community Connection Project Officer, said: “The Armed Forces are quite unique in the amount they ask of employees and their families. With regular moves, sometimes abroad; new schools for children; remote bases, far from friends and family, it is no surprise that we have reports of young soldiers not leaving their rooms all weekend and spouses feeling isolated.”

CCCs can assist people to make friends and feel part of their community through providing access to activities and events which they might not otherwise attend. It is a simple remit, but vital in the battle against mental ill-health.

Stephen Neill, Community Connection Champion at RAF Lossiemouth said: “I became a SSAFA Community Connections Champion because I know it can be difficult for all members of the serving community, either single, or those accompanied with partners or children. Moving to new places regularly and feeling isolated is a daunting feeling and sometimes you just don't know what to do, or where to start looking for help, and often just remaining quiet, making these feelings worse.”

Stephen has started a regular walking group, which is enabling people to connect, make friends and improve their mental health through exercise and fresh air. Sarah Duviau, at RAF Brize Norton, has organised social events on camp and regular art and music sessions. Harriet Hood, on Salisbury Plain, is organising a bespoke equine interaction programme for struggling single soldiers, through the Armed Forces Equine Charity, and at RAF Shawbury, Sue Hobkirk and two other CCCs run a book club in conjunction with Reading Force and they also fund the nibbles for a comedy night and monthly quiz.

Suzette said: “It’s not a difficult or time-consuming volunteer role, and you are able to be really creative and do what you love. As long as your activities benefit the serving community, with an eye to alleviating loneliness and isolation, we have a little funding for your project – you just need to sign up to be a Community Connection Champion and get on with organising your events!”

Thanks to a grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, each CCC has an allocated budget to help get events off the ground. You do not need to be connected to the Forces to apply for the CCC role and volunteers are fully supported, whether they be in isolated detachments or large garrisons.