Understanding the Needs of Older Merchant Navy Veterans

Abstract: The Institute of Public Care was commissioned by Seafarers UK to undertake a research project spanning two years which overall aims to 1) Better define and understand the size, location, health and social care needs of Merchant Navy (MN) veterans (born before 1st January 1950) and their dependants; 2) Raise the profile of UK MN veterans with ex-Service welfare providers and with local authorities and their Community Covenant teams; 3) Establish and evaluate two approaches to the provision of specialist support to this group of veterans to inform future service development; 4) Establish a set of strategic priorities arising from the research to inform the development of specialist services for MN veterans (if proven to be needed) and/or ensure that they can access services which meet their needs. This interim report provides the findings from the first research activity - Research to understand the numbers, location and needs of MN Veterans, and their access to services.