UK Veterans from ethnic minority backgrounds

Abstract: This project was commissioned by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA), which leads UK Government efforts to ensure that the United Kingdom is the best place in the world to be a military veteran (via the Strategy for our Veterans). The UK Armed Forces are now more diverse than ever before, and it is therefore vital that the OVA understands the needs and experiences of all those who have served in the Armed Forces, including those from ethnic minority backgrounds. Support for veterans to lead fulfilling lives while they are in Service and after they have moved on into civilian life will help ensure that the UK is one of the best places in the world to be a veteran. It is important to improve the understanding of the needs and experiences of veterans from minority ethnic backgrounds to make sure that they receive the support necessary for them to live in- and contribute to- society. However, there is currently a lack of evidence about the experiences or needs of UK service people from ethnic minority backgrounds after leaving the UK Armed Forces, which is vital for policy development. It is crucial that Government and other service providers (such as service charities) are able to better understand their needs in order to ensure that policies towards supporting veterans are inclusive of sections of the veteran population. Research into the experience of veterans in finding work, housing, health, education and building families has identified the diversity of outcomes by service branch, rank and military experience. However, there is very limited evidence about the experiences of ethnic minority veterans. This research project was intended to provide an opportunity for ethnic minority veterans to make their experiences, needs and aspirations known to those who can provide support and bring about the changes necessary to ensure that veterans are not disadvantaged either by their Service or by their ethnic background. This project used qualitative research techniques because they could provide a more in-depth understanding of the experiences of ethnic minority members of the UK armed forces once they have left the military.