A groundbreaking initiative by the Nuclear Community Charity Fund (NCCF) has proven to be a resounding success, marking a pivotal shift in how the UK’s nuclear survivor community is supported. The Community Care Check (CCC) pilot, a proactive outreach program, has not only connected with some of the most isolated members of the community but has forged a new, more compassionate path forward.
For decades, the men who served our nation during the nuclear testing era, and their families, have navigated a complex legacy of health concerns, psychological burdens like ‘exposure worry’, and a sense of isolation. Recognising this, the NCCF, with crucial funding from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA), launched the ambitious CCC pilot in January 2024. The mission was simple but profound: to move beyond simply reacting to requests for aid and to proactively reach out, build trust, and offer support.
Over the last eighteen months, the pilot has demonstrated unequivocally that a personal, relational approach works. By getting “boots on the ground,” the dedicated CCC Outreach Facilitator, Ian Higginbottom, has been able to connect with individuals who were previously unknown or had fallen out of contact.
The numbers speak for themselves. The pilot generated a 26% increase in support applications and, crucially, the average grant value was 86% higher than through the standard application fund running alongside the pilot. This demonstrates that the project has successfully identified and assisted those with the most profound needs.
The story of Freddy Shaw, a Royal Navy veteran from the Christmas Island tests, brings this to life. After a fall, the CCC program stepped in to install a walk-in shower, significantly improving his safety and quality of life. Freddy’s heartfelt thanks are a testament to the program’s real-world impact.
Recognising that social isolation is one of the biggest challenges facing the community, the NCCF seized the opportunity to revive the beloved annual BNTVA convention under the new “BNTVA Connect” banner. The event, held in May 2024, was a resounding success, bringing together nearly 100 community members and was followed by another successful convention in 2025.
The success of the CCC pilot has provided a clear and inspiring blueprint for the future. The NCCF is now actively considering a series of strategic recommendations to build on this momentum:
- Going National: The first step is to formalise and scale the relational care model, rolling out the Community Care Check program across the country in phases.
- Connecting the Community: The “BNTVA Connect” outreach and events will become a permanent, funded part of the NCCF’s work, ensuring the spirit of community and remembrance continues to thrive.
- The Power of Friendship: A new, tiered befriending service is being investigated. This initiative will engage third-party providers such as the OVA Valour initiative to enhance and address the support and integration of our beneficiaries.
- Enhancing Communications: An investment will be made to improve digital and print communications, utilising platforms like Exposure Magazine to keep the community connected, informed, and supported.
The Community Care Check pilot has been more than just a successful project; it has been a journey of discovery. It has revealed a more effective, more compassionate, and more human way to honour the service of our nuclear veterans and care for their families.
The essential work of the NCCF is complemented by initiatives that seek to preserve the community’s history for future generations.
