Across Hampshire, more than 88,500 people have served in the military. Although newspaper headlines are no longer dominated by the impact of conflict on UK veterans, that doesn’t mean their struggles have gone away or are any less challenging.

Many veterans and their families struggle daily with painful injuries, psychological trauma, isolation, and more. The Armed Forces charity is calling this The Veterans War forgotten by many, but very real for them.

Everyday, Help for Heroes helps veterans like Brian. Brian served for 13 years in the Royal Highland Fusiliers and the Royal Scots before he was medically discharged. For years, horrific scenes from his military career played out on a constant and tormenting loop in his mind. Even though he was around a loving family, he felt alone and lost. Every day was a battle.

Every night was worse. When Brian reached out for support from Help For Heroes everything changed for the better. “I remember sitting down in a cafe and someone coming up and having a chat with me. I could relate to them, and they could relate to me, because they understood.

"I could ask one of the Help for Heroes team any question and they’d go, ‘We've got somebody who could support you with that.'"

Help for Heroes offers life-changing support to veterans and their families

Help for Heroes offers life-changing support to veterans and their families

“Life is better now because I can manage things. But the Veterans War is very real. Every day’s a struggle. It’s not until you learn how to cope with those struggles, that life becomes a bit easier.”

Help for Heroes offers life-changing support to veterans and their families no matter when or where they served. If you are a veteran or a loved one in need, help is available here