Durham Veteran says help from SSAFA just in time

A former soldier from Durham who lost £12,000 to a sophisticated phone scam has spoken out about how support from SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, helped him rebuild his life when he felt he had nowhere else to turn.

Kirk Blakemore, from County Durham, served his country with pride for 27 years, but struggled after leaving the military. Living with PTSD and facing increasing financial pressures during the cost-of-living crisis, he found himself feeling isolated and cut adrift from the military community that had shaped so much of his life.

When he became the victim of a phone scam that cost him £12,000, the situation worsened dramatically, leaving him anxious and stressed about supporting his family.

Kirk said the combined pressures left him at one of the lowest points in his life.

Kirk said: “I felt completely lost.  My sense of purpose and belonging had gone. Everything seemed to be piling up at once and I couldn’t see a way forward.”

At a time when he was struggling with his mental health and beginning to lose hope, Kirk was introduced to SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity and one its local hubs, The Bishop Auckland Veterans Group.

Through practical support, friendship and a renewed connection to the Armed Forces community, Kirk gradually began to rebuild his confidence and regain a sense of purpose.

“The support came at exactly the right time,” he said. “It wasn’t just the practical help. Being around people who understood military life made a huge difference. For the first time in a long time, I started to feel like my old self again.”

SSAFA Durham worked alongside Kirk to understand his circumstances and provide support tailored to his needs, helping him navigate a particularly difficult period in his life.

Mike Donne, SSAFA Durham Branch Chair and representative of Bishop Auckland Veterans Group said:

“Kirk’s story shows how quickly circumstances can change and how important it is that members of the Armed Forces community know they do not have to face challenges alone. Whether someone is struggling financially, emotionally or simply feeling isolated, SSAFA is here to help.”

SSAFA volunteers have been helping the Armed Forces community – regulars and reserves, serving or retired, and their families since 1885. To volunteer or fundraise for SSAFA, or to seek support, search for “SSAFA near me”.