Research, which is said to be the first of its kind is being carried out on the Isle of Wight - in a bid to support military widows.
Academics at the University of Northumbria are looking at how to combat loneliness and social isolation among military widows.
They are inviting Islanders whose partners have died in the UK Armed Forces or after their service, to take part in the new research.
The project, developed by the university in collaboration with the War Widows’ Association aims to:
- Understand military widows’ experiences of social isolation
- Understand military widows’ experiences of loneliness
- Identify the services available to military widows
- Examine their unmet needs
There are almost 15,000 military widows and widowers in the UK today and lead Researcher Gemma Wilson wants the Isle of Wight to play a part in the study.
Gemma Wilson
This study will inform the national debate and lead to the development of policy recommendations and guidance for improved service provision.
Dr Gemma Wilson told Isle of Wight Radio:
"It is really new and original research that is really important, at the moment there is research looking at loneliness or social isolation among widows...We are really looking to get a broad range of participants from all across the UK - so it is really important the Isle of Wight is included in this as well.
"Your thoughts matter to the research team and could lead to improved well-being of a group of the armed forces community who are often forgotten."
Mary Moreland, Chair of the War Widows’ Association, lost her husband, a member of the Ulster Defence Regiment when he was killed on his way to work by members of the IRA in 1988.
She said:
“When there is no longer a serving person in the family unit those left behind are very frequently forgotten. Bereavement can add to increased feelings of isolation and loneliness, however as military widows no longer belong to the armed forces community, these feeling may be magnified. On behalf of the Association I am delighted to be working in collaboration with Northumbria University and Forces in Mind Trust on this project.”
Ray Lock CBE, Chief Executive of Forces in Mind Trust, funders of the research, said:
“This research is both relevant and timely and will provide us with the necessary insights to produce a powerful set of recommendations that will improve the support available for our military widows and widowers.”
The survey will run from 1 st March – 14 th May 2021 and you can take part here: https://nupsych.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9vlINOpVFsSculU
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