(L to R) Elizabeth McPherson, Chief Executive Officer at Carers Plus Yorkshire, with Martin Eggermont, John Davison and Des McKenzie from Yorkshire North and East Ridings Freemasons
Around 75 local veterans from Scarborough, Ryedale and the surrounding areas will receive support from Carers Plus Yorkshire (CPY) over the next 12 months, thanks to a £50,000 grant from Yorkshire North & East Ridings Freemasons. The aim of the project is to enhance support for unpaid veteran carers while also developing community-based volunteer opportunities.
A key focus of the project is supporting veteran unpaid carers and individuals from the Armed Forces community, including those caring for veterans experiencing physical injury, mental health challenges (including PTSD), substance misuse, or age-related conditions linked to military service. It will provide practical and emotional support, tailored information and advice to veterans, while also addressing barriers such as stigma, identity, and the transition to civilian life. A proportion of the grant is dedicated specifically to activity provision, ensuring veterans can access group activities and peer support.
The project will significantly strengthen support for veteran unpaid carers and carers of veterans, recognising the unique cultural, social and systemic factors that can impact both veterans and their families. Support will be delivered through dedicated one-to-one work from CPY’s Veterans Adviser, bringing experience and understanding of the impact of caring to the role. Many people with military experience are often proud, resilient and used to ‘getting on with it,’ which can mean they remain isolated and do not seek help until they reach crisis point. This project aims to change that by providing earlier, tailored and accessible support, alongside opportunities for engagement and activities that reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. All services provided to carers through the project will be free of charge.
The project will also work closely with local Freemason’s groups linked to the Masonic Charitable Foundation to develop volunteering opportunities that further enhance support for carers. This will include engaging volunteers, co-designing initiatives with those involved, and strengthening community-based support networks. The aim is to build on existing local connections to create practical, sustainable ways for volunteers to contribute, while also enriching the support available to unpaid carers and veterans across the area.
It will support people like local veteran Andy Baddley, who served in the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards. Andy toured Northern Ireland in 1984, Cyprus with the United Nations in 1989, and was also deployed during the Gulf War. Andy now cares for his wife. Andy said: “This funding means a great deal to veterans like me. It opens opportunities to take part in activities and outings that simply wouldn’t be possible otherwise. The individual support that comes with it is just as important; it really does make a difference to people’s lives.”
Andy is not alone, with around 73% of local veterans having a caring role for someone with dementia, mental ill health or a long-term health condition.
Elizabeth McPherson, Chief Executive Officer at Carers Plus Yorkshire, said: “We’re very grateful to Yorkshire North and East Ridings Freemasons for their generous grant. This £50,000 funding plays a crucial role in allowing us to deliver essential support to veterans. It enables us to offer both one-to-one support and group activities, helping veterans improve their wellbeing and stay connected within their communities, following their service to our country.”
Martin Eggermont from Yorkshire North and East Ridings Freemasons, said: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to support our local military veterans through this excellent project from Carers Plus Yorkshire. I’m very proud that Freemasons are able to give something back to those who have given so much to our country.”
