Elderly veteran reveals plight as he finds himself homeless aged 76

A naval veteran has spoken out ahead of Armed Forces Day this weekend after he found himself homeless at the age of 76.

This Saturday, June 24 is Armed Forces Day when people around the UK will give thanks to those who have served and are still serving in the forces.

One ex-naval man, whose identity has been protected, has spoken out to raise awareness of the services available in Salford for former military personnel, who he says are often ‘too proud’ to ask for help.

The pensioner was homeless for a year before he was thrown a lifeline by Salford’s Supported Tenancies Service, which is managed by Salix Homes and provides support and advice for people facing homelessness or struggling to maintain their tenancy.

The veteran served as an engineer in the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy on peacekeeping missions for more than 20 years.

After settling with his wife overseas following his retirement from the forces, he enjoyed a happy life and ran his own successful business. But after his beloved wife died, he decided to settle in Salford.

He explained: “I travelled all over the world with the Navy, but I used to come in and out of Salford docks a lot traveling down the Manchester Ship Canal and I knew the place like the back of my hand.

“I liked Salford and I liked the people here, so after my wife died I wanted to be back amongst people I knew.”

Tragically the pensioner, now aged 83, fell on hard times and found himself homeless. With nowhere to go, the veteran, who suffers from heart failure, spent a year living and sleeping in his car.

He said: “It was a very difficult time for me. I would just drive around and find a secluded spot to park up where I could sleep.

“It would get so cold I thought I would end up freezing to death. I was very down and I really did think I was going to die out there.

“Never in a million years did I think that someone like me, at my age, could end up homeless. I’d had a good life with my wife and my own successful business, but it just goes to show can that it can happen to anyone.”

He was too proud to ask for help and even managed to keep his living situation secret from his friends.

“Every morning I would get up and go to some public toilets to have a wash and a shave,” he explained.

“I’d spend the odd night at a Travel Lodge so I could have a shower. I didn’t want anyone to know I was homeless. My friends would never have guessed I was sleeping in my car because I always made sure I was presentable.”

He says ex-armed forces personnel are often too proud to ask for help.

He added: “I think a lot of people in the armed forces are too proud to ask for help – I certainly was.

“We are independent people and it’s hard to ask for help even when you are struggling. I didn’t want to ask anyone for anything.”

It was only after the pensioner ended up in hospital with heart failure that he knew something had to change.

“I was very poorly, and after I left hospital and ended up back in my car I decided that enough was enough and I needed some help,” he said.

He was found by police sleeping in his car who put him in touch with Salford’s Supported Tenancies Service, based at Wesley Street in Swinton.

He was immediately placed in temporary accommodation, before being found a permanent new home.

He says he owes his life to the service, which also introduced him to a number of support groups for veterans.

He said: “If it hadn’t been for the Supported Tenancies Service I wouldn’t be here today. They saved my life and I truly believe that.

“The first night in my new home was so great, I finally had somewhere to stay where I knew I was safe. I love my home now and I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time.”

Nationally, statistics show that 1 in 10 homeless people have a military background.

Rachel Connelly, service manager for supported housing at Salix Homes, said: “Our Supported Tenancies Service helps people from all walks of life, who have for one reason or another fallen on hard times, but despite the services available in Salford, we are seeing more veterans who are struggling.

“It is tragic that people who have served their Queen and country, should end up homeless. At the age of 76, this veteran should have been enjoying his twilight years, not wondering if he’d survive another night in the cold.

“We find that people who have served in the military are very proud people and that is often to their detriment as they’re reluctant to ask for help, but we are here to help people get their lives back on track

“As we prepare to mark Armed Forces Day this weekend, I would like to remind any ex-forces personnel in Salford that help and support is out there and to get in touch with the Supported Tenancies Service.”

You can contact Salix Homes’ Supported Tenancies Service on 0161 607 1620.