ABF The Soldiers’ Charity has awarded a grant of £32,000 to the Army Widows’ Association to support its work with the widows and widowers of service personnel…
The grant will go towards supporting the charity’s operating costs and the running of its Annual General Meeting respite weekend. The weekend provides members with peer support and a safe environment to encourage special friendships and address key concerns.
The Army Widows’ Association is a national charity based in Andover, UK. It was formed in 2004 to represent and respond to the needs of Army widows, widowers and their dependent children. As a volunteer-led organisation, it seeks to provide comfort, support and friendship through the provision of counselling services, information, support and a yearly events programme.
This years’ Army Widows’ Association AGM took place in Southampton and was attended by widows travelling from all over the country. The members had a wonderful weekend which included talks about the general running of the association, as well as presentations by X-Forces and the Veterans Welfare Service. Access to counselling was also provided throughout the weekend.
Raqual Harper-Titchener, Chairwoman at the Army Widows’ Association said: “Without ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, who have supported us since our formation, our members would not have the most valuable gift of all – peer support! It’s an opportunity to come together in a safe and secure environment, to support each other through talking, listening, crying and laughing. Together, we are finally able to try and look forward, to find and build a positive future.”
Brigadier (Ret’d) Robin Bacon, Chief of Staff at ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, added: “For 75 years, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity has been looking after the Army family and providing a lifetime of support. It is an absolute pleasure to continue supporting the Army Widows’ Association and the families it helps on a daily basis.”