Mum of ex-soldier found dead in Worcester says 'nobody helped him'

Mum of ex-soldier found dead in Worcester says 'nobody helped him'

The struggles experienced by the son of a former soldier went unaddressed, leading to tragic consequences, as reported by his grieving mother. Robert Homans, a veteran who had served in the Royal Horse Artillery and had completed multiple tours in Afghanistan, was found dead in Worcester at the age of 35. Despite his mother’s efforts to seek help for his housing and mental health issues, they were continuously dismissed, leaving her son feeling neglected and hopeless.

Dawn Turner, Robert’s mother, highlighted the challenges her son faced in accessing necessary support, emphasizing the lack of priority given to veterans. She expressed frustration with the government’s failure to provide adequate assistance, particularly in addressing mental health concerns. The Ministry of Defence responded by stating that they had allocated over £25 million towards mental health services for veterans, although Robert’s unfortunate situation indicates a gap in the system.

Following the tragic loss of her son, Dawn Turner established the charity Stepway in 2019 to offer support to other veterans struggling with similar issues. Despite her son’s previous suicide attempts, he continued to face difficulties, ultimately leading to his untimely death. Turner’s campaign, Rob’s Army – Justice for Veterans, aims to hold the government accountable for their promises outlined in the Armed Forces Covenant, which pledges fair treatment for military personnel and their families.

Robert’s tenure in the Royal Horse Artillery left him with physical and mental scars, yet the system failed to provide timely assistance when he needed it most. With a backlog of housing and mental health support, Robert found himself in a dire situation, where his pleas for help went unheard. Through her advocacy and activism, Dawn Turner hopes to prevent future tragedies and ensure that veterans receive the care and support they deserve

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