Age UK launches Yorkshire Military Memories events

Age UK has launched a series of '˜Military Memories' events across Yorkshire, marking the start of a two-year programme to help reduce loneliness and increase well-being amongst the region's veterans.

The events, being held all across the region throughout November, will enable veterans to share stories, show off their military memorabilia - including medals, pay books and photos - and reminisce with other veterans.

Age UK has commissioned a series of short films, with the Yorkshire Film Archive, to form a reminiscence pack, looking at the 1940s and 1950s Britain. The reminiscence pack documents the rise of the Home Guard, jobs that women took on to support the war effort, the impact on children, VE Day celebrations and the return to peace as people looked forward to the future and occasions including the Queen’s Coronation.

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At each event, there will be co-ordinators tasked with documenting people’s stories and uploading photos of memorabilia to a dedicated website, in hopes of creating the biggest collection of military memories in Yorkshire.

Alison Brook, Age UK Yorkshire and Humber aged veterans project manager, said: “We want to reduce isolation and improve the lives of 750 veterans over the course of the next three years.

“The Military Memories events will not only bring our veterans together and enable them to share precious memories, but it will also enable them to make connections with local Age UKs and benefit from a wealth of services to ultimately improve their lives, socially, emotionally and physically.”

Anyone wishing to get involved as a volunteer, or with anything to share, can contact project manager Alison Brook by emailing [email protected], or calling 07973 943232.