One in 20 people living in Powys is a military Veteran, with nearly a third aged over 80. As the nation reflects on the courage and sacrifice of the Armed Forces this Remembrance season, Age Cymru Powys is calling on the public to help reach local Veterans who may be missing out on vital support in later life.

Many Veterans across Powys are not connected to specialist Veterans’ services, particularly in scattered rural communities, and may be unaware of the support available to them. The charity’s Veterans MOT offers former service personnel a free “MOT Check-Up” – a practical review of wellbeing, housing, social connections, and finances to help Veterans make the most of later life and access services tailored to their needs.

Many older people who served through National Service don’t think of themselves as Veterans or realise they are eligible for support. The Veterans MOT is designed for anyone who has served in the Armed Forces, whether through National Service, regular enlistment, or reserve service.

“Remembrance is a time to honour those who served our country with pride,” said Gail Colbridge, Chief Officer at Age Cymru Powys. “We also want to ensure that those who served continue to receive the respect, dignity, and support they deserve in later life. Our Veterans MOT is about recognising their service and making sure they’re not forgotten.”

Do you know someone aged 65+ who served in the Armed Forces? Age Cymru Powys is urging family members, neighbours, and friends to help identify anyone with a Forces background who might benefit from an MOT check.

“You might know a Veteran without realising it – someone who served years ago and never talks about it,” Gail added. “We’d love to hear from them, or from anyone who can put us in touch.”

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show 5,736 Veterans in Powys – around 5% of usual residents aged 16+. 32% of Powys Veterans are classified as disabled under the Equality Act, highlighting the ongoing need for practical support.

Higher rates of disability may be explained by the older age profile of former servicepeople, given many will have been conscripted through National Service. Over half (56%) of Veterans in Powys are aged 65 or older, compared with 28% of the wider population.

Gwyneth Davies, Veterans Officer at Age Cymru Powys – and a Veteran herself – is encouraging others to get in touch: “Everyone who’s had a Veterans MOT has taken something positive from it – whether that’s connecting with other Veterans through our social clubs, increasing their income from previously unclaimed entitlements, or linking with specialist Veterans’ services.”

Gwyneth continued: “It’s vital that people in the Armed Forces community who served and sacrificed for their country are supported in later life. We’re proud to be funded by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for the Veterans MOT in line with the Armed Forces Covenant – a promise from the nation to treat Veterans and their families fairly.”

Powys Veteran John Evans, who recently completed his MOT, said: “I hadn’t spoken to any Veterans’ services before – I was in National Service and didn’t think they were for me. But Gwyneth explained the MOT is for all ex-service personnel, and we had a good bit of banter about service life. It’s helped me access support I didn’t even know I was entitled to, which has made life much easier.”

This Remembrance Day, help Age Cymru Powys make a difference to local men and women who served. Together, we can ensure no Veteran in Powys is left behind.

To book a Veterans MOT or to find out more about Veterans’ services in Powys, contact Gwyneth Davies, Veterans Officer.

Age Cymru Powys, Old Warehouse, Parkers Lane, Newtown, Powys SY16 2LT

Call: 01686 623707