The Birth of the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation
Since its inception, the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation has led the way in supporting veterans with hearing loss, addressing this often-overlooked challenge faced by those who’ve served our nation. This journey hasn’t been without its learning curves. Along the way, we’ve embraced our mistakes as opportunities for growth, refining our approach to better serve veterans.
A key milestone was reached in 2020 when we reached charity status, which enabled access to broader opportunities and marked a significant step towards our ability to effect change. Thanks to increased stability and resources, we were able to expand and strengthen the network of audiologists committed to our cause, providing customised care and hearing loss solutions essential for veterans’ wellbeing.
The transition to a charity not only underscored our dedication to transparency and accountability but also enhanced our ability to foster stronger community connections, engage more effectively with supporters, and deliver on our promise of exceptional care with utmost professionalism.
As we grow and reach more veterans, the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation remains dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by hearing loss, propelled by our enduring values of perseverance, dedication, and compassion.
Our Founders
The UK Veterans Hearing Foundation was founded by Samantha and Ben Bennett, who identified a significant yet overlooked need for specialised hearing care among veterans, as highlighted by Ben’s own experience with hearing loss resulting from his service in the Royal Artillery.
Ben Bennett
Samantha Bennett
Leveraging her audiology background, Samantha established a network of independent audiologists nationwide, committed to providing high-quality, accessible hearing care. This initiative marked the beginning of a new chapter for veterans with hearing loss across the UK, leading to the foundation of our organisation.
Today, Ben serves as the Chairman of the charity, and together with Samantha, they continue to support the charity in every way possible, ensuring its ongoing commitment to veterans.
Rising to the Challenge During COVID-19
The genesis of the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation is deeply entwined with a period of unprecedented global challenge and a specific unmet need within our veterans’ community. The closure of the Hearing Fund in 2019 marked a significant turning point, leaving many veterans without the crucial support they had anticipated for their hearing needs. This gap became even more pronounced as we navigated the tumultuous times brought on by COVID-19.
With a surge in applications for hearing aid funding, it was clear that the need for specialised hearing support among veterans was more critical than ever. Recognising the profound impact of hearing loss on the quality of life, and the added isolation brought on by the pandemic, we knew we had to step up. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, our commitment to veterans’ wellbeing remained unwavering. We initiated our operations with a clear mission: to fill the void left by other services and provide the much-needed hearing support to our veterans.
Implementing stringent safety and hygiene protocols, we adapted our processes to ensure the health and wellbeing of both our staff and the veterans we serve. Our efforts were not just about overcoming the logistical hurdles; they were about sending a message of hope and support to veterans during a time of immense uncertainty.
The journey through COVID-19 was challenging, yet it solidified the foundation of our charity. It tested our resilience, our adaptability, and our dedication, but it also showcased the strength of our community. The overwhelming support and trust from veterans and donors alike have been pivotal in our ability to make a tangible difference.
Our story is one of coming together in the face of adversity, of innovating to meet urgent needs, and of unwavering commitment to those who have given so much. As we look back on our journey through COVID-19, we are reminded of the importance of our mission and the impact of our work.
Maximising Support Through Our Founders’ Legacy
The UK Veterans Hearing Foundation enjoys a profoundly advantageous position thanks to the generosity of our founders. Our headquarters are positioned within the business premises of our founders, who, despite having stepped down from their active roles within the charity, continue to support our mission in every way they can. This enduring legacy of support means that our operational base is offered at a symbolic cost, enabling us to direct most of our proceeds towards hearing support for veterans.
This unique partnership goes beyond a simple logistical advantage; it represents a deep-seated belief in and commitment to our cause from those who laid the foundation of our charity. This model of operational efficiency and dedication underscored our promise to our supporters: every contribution made is invested directly into improving the lives of veterans.
Our Journey: Navigating Challenges, Celebrating Achievements
In the heart of our mission at the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation lies a dual narrative of challenges and milestones achieved.
As the only charity in the UK supporting veterans with hearing needs, the weight of our responsibility is both unique and immense.
Our journey is marked by an ongoing quest for funding, a reflection of our commitment to a cause that grows increasingly vital with each passing day.
With over 1500 veterans within our database in desperate need of hearing assistance, the demand for our services is both urgent and unrelenting.
Our position as a small charity adds layers of complexity to our mission. The resources required to meet the needs of those we serve are significant, and the challenge of securing sufficient funding is a constant presence.
Yet, it is within this landscape of challenges that our achievements shine brightest, illuminating the profound impact of our work.
Thanks to the unwavering support of our donors and our community, we have reached remarkable milestones that fuel our drive forward.
To date, we have fitted over 100 veterans with hearing aids, transforming their lives in ways that resonate far beyond the individual.
These fittings represent not only an improvement in hearing, but also the reclaiming of connections with family, friends, and the world around them.
The ripple effect of these changes is profound, touching the lives of families and improving the daily experiences of our veterans in ways that are both significant and lasting.
These achievements remind us that, despite the obstacles we face, our efforts can and do result in meaningful, life-changing outcomes for our veterans.
Partially & Fully Funded
You will receive a free Hearing Test, all funding for your new Hearing Aids and any accessories you might need! Tinnitus support is also available at no cost!
5 Years
Guarantee
All our hearing technology comes with a 5 year guarantee & hearing aids with a 3 month exchange programme, ensuring your hearing aids are just right for you!
Extensive
Aftercare
Once you have received your new hearing aids, we continue to offer you support at any time. This includes 3 years of expert aftercare to ensure 100% satisfaction.
Improved Quality Of Life
Our expert can select the best hearing aid systems, tailored specifically to suit your hearing needs. You can then enjoy a new and improved quality of life!
Help Us Fit More Veterans!
Since becoming a charity, we have managed to fit over 100 veterans with top-class hearing aids! However, we still have more than 1,500 veterans who need our help in getting back to a normal standard of life after the hearing damage they received in their years of service. Any donations we receive are a huge help in the lives of our vets and we are eternally grateful for whatever you may be able to spare.
Proudly supporting those who serve!
UK Veterans Hearing Help (now the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation) received the Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in 2016, in 2019 we achieved Silver level and in 2020 we achieved the highest level Gold. The scheme provides an award for organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and armed forces community.