TechVets is encouraging all members and their families and the wider-veteran community to take part in the UK-wide Veterans’ Survey, launched today Thursday 10th November.
This is the first-ever exercise to collect feedback from the veterans’ community across the UK coordinated by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs and the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The online survey will be live for 12 weeks. The survey gives ex-UK armed forces personnel and their families the opportunity to provide direct feedback to the government on their experiences, access to and use of services for veterans.
Responses to the survey will help the UK Government to better understand the experiences, needs and well-being of the UK’s veteran community, and guide future action.
They want to hear a wide range of views and TechVets encourage as many ex-UK armed forces veterans and their families to share feedback as possible.
Your views matter, so please take part today by clicking here Veterans’ Survey to complete the survey.
What is this survey about?
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) are carrying out this important survey of veterans and veterans’ families.
The Veterans’ Survey covers a range of topics related to the circumstances and lifestyles of people who have left the UK armed forces, commonly known as veterans. When we mention veterans during the survey, we mean people who have served in the UK armed forces and have since left service. You do not need to have seen active combat or been in the armed forces in a particular role or rank. If you have served for one day, are aged 18 years or over and live in the UK, you can take part.
The questions in the survey ask about access to services and circumstances since leaving the armed forces. The survey also asks about your lifestyle, health, and well-being.
The Veterans’ Families Survey covers similar topics but is for family members to give their views.
Why should I take part?
The UK government want to make the UK the best place for veterans to live by 2028. Change has already started. For the first time, Census 2021 counted UK armed forces veterans, which is important. We need to build on the census count. By learning more from a wide range of veterans and their families, we can learn how to better support everyone who leaves the UK armed forces. It is vital you take part.
By taking part in this survey, you will help us to produce statistics about the lives of the armed forces community, veterans and their families. Government departments, public bodies and charities will use the anonymous findings from this survey to make plans.
This is your unique opportunity to tell us about your experiences. Your responses will provide information not available from any other sources. Do not miss your chance to have your say.
What will I be asked?
The survey will cover a range of topics, including:
- awareness of ex-armed forces support
- access to services
- have you seen active service?
- have you been bullied or harassed?
- have you been discriminated against?
- access to employment
- access to housing
- work
- health and well-being
- interactions with the criminal justice system
- finances
- lifestyle
Not everyone will be asked all these questions. If you are a family member of a veteran, you will be asked about your experiences living with a veteran or being related to a veteran.
There are some voluntary questions that cover sensitive issues such as workplace bullying. If you are uncomfortable with any of the questions, you can always leave them out. We have made sure you do not need any specialist knowledge to take part.
You only need to answer questions you want to. There are no right or wrong answers – your honest responses are vital for us to produce reliable statistics about veterans and their families.
You will never be asked for bank details or credit card information. You will never be asked for your passport or other documents.
