A NEW telephone support service for former service personnel has been launched by Salisbury charity Alabaré.

The service will help veterans who are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing and will provide specialist support to those in need, including guidance, advice and coping strategies specifically to manage anxieties around the coronavirus pandemic.

The helpline will be run from Alabaré’s Riverside Sanctuary mental wellbeing support service.

Emma Wellock, who manages the support service, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our support service to provide a dedicated new helpline for Veterans. We are here seven days a week to provide them with the support they need through these difficult times. The lockdown has been difficult for many of us but particularly acute for some ex-service personnel who are already living with complex challenges in their mental wellbeing.”

The veterans helpline service has been made possible thanks to financial support through the Armed Forces Covenant.

Any veteran wishing to access the telephone service can do so every day from 9am to 11pm by calling 01722 466680.