Lives in Transition: Returning to civilian life with a physical injury or condition. Interim report

Abstract

This report presents the interim findings of an ongoing project funded by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) called Understanding the transition to civilian life for ex-Service personnel with physical conditions as a direct result of Service or acquired whilst in Service. This two-year project (2019–2021) represents the first substantive qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) to explore how Service leavers experience the transition to civilian life when they have left the Armed Forces with a physical injury or condition. More specifically, it aims to provide an understanding of the support and provisions that are available during the transition into civilian life (including benefits and financial compensation, education and training, employment, health and housing) and make recommendations for further or better support that could be offered to this cohort during the transition from the UK Armed Forces2. Central to our work is a desire to establish an original evidence base to inform future policy and practice. This will be achieved through two rounds of qualitative longitudinal interviews with ex-Service personnel who have left or are in the process of leaving the Armed Forces with a physical injury or condition, together with consultations with key stakeholders