Published: 15 November 2006
Touched by United Veterans
One in five people in the United Kingdom has been touched by a Big Lottery Fund programme of remembrance for World War II veterans, according to an evaluation report.
In January 2004 the Big Lottery fund launched its Veterans Reunited programme to provide funding to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the events leading up to the end of World War Two.
The programme comprises three different schemes:
· Heroes Return
· Their Past Your Future, and
· Home Front Recall
Taken together, these three schemes helped ensure that all generations of UK residents commemorated the 60th anniversary together, both at home & abroad.
More than 11 million people participated in the Veterans Reunited programme, which left a deep & personal impact on individuals – from veterans to primary school children – and society, the report says.
Big Lottery Fund Chief Executive Stephen Dunmore said:
“The report demonstrates why no public funder has done more than the Big Lottery Fund to recognise the sacrifice and contribution made by veterans.
Since 2004, we have through our Veterans Reunited programme spent over £45 million to enable veterans to commemorate and preserve their experience of living and fighting through the Second World War.
More than 39,000 World War II veterans, war widows and carers have been funded to journey back to the battlefields where they saw action or where their loved ones fell.
Earlier this year, a further £4m went to build on Veterans Reunited, ensuring that more young people will be able to meet veterans so that they can learn from their experiences and create educational resources available for future generations.”
The report shows that of the 11 million people who participated in the programme:
· More than 9 million learned more about the Second World War
· Almost 9 million developed deeper knowledge & understanding of the War
· 8.5 million enjoyed & were inspired by the experience
· More than 7 million would like to know more about the War
Under the programme, 18,000 veterans and 21,000 spouses, relatives and carers visited sites around the world where they served in the War.
The report shows that of the veterans, over:
· 14,000 felt more respected or had pride in their contribution to the War
· 16,000 felt that their visit will have a lasting impact on them
· 13,000 were inspired to share their wartime stories with others
· 10,000 had a fuller appreciation of themselves, of their achievements and of their relationship to and identity with their communities
Over 2 million people visited nine touring exhibitions about the national impact of the War that went to 70 venues UK-wide and of these people:
· More than 1.6 million learned more about the War
· 1.5 million developed a deeper knowledge & understanding of the War
· 1.2 million intended to visit a library, museum or archive to find out more 1 million had changed attitudes & values from the experience
· Almost 1 million intended to talk to people who had experience of the War
Over 500,000 young people took part in more than 1,000 education projects, of which meeting veterans was a key part. Of the young people:
· All developed a deeper knowledge and understanding of the War
· All experienced a change in attitudes and values
· Over 450,000 learned more about the War
Further Information
Evaluation of the Veterans Reunited programme
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