Different population groups in Suffolk

The Armed Forces in the UK consists of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force. The Armed Forces community includes serving personnel both regulars and reservists, veterans, and their families and carers. This population group is unique, with specific health and wellbeing needs based on its demographics, activities, and occupations.

• At the time of the 2021 Census, there were 30,977 UK armed forces veterans resident in Suffolk. This equates to 4.9% of people aged 16+ resident in the county; two percentage points higher than the England and Wales average of 2.9%.
• Of these, 24,371 previously served in the UK regular armed forces (3.9% of residents aged 16+), 5,202 previously serviced in UK reserve armed forces (0.8%) and 1,403 (0.2%) previously served in both of these forces.
• Around 1 in every 11 households in Suffolk is home to a UK armed forces veteran
• There is a strong, statistically significant, positive correlation between the number of people who have previously served in the UK regular Armed Forces, the UK reserve Armed Forces or both, and age.
• Over half (59%) of people who have previously served in the UK regular Armed Forces, the UK reserve Armed Forces or both are 65 years or over. Of these, over 1 in 3 (21.3%) 85 years or over.

The 2021 Census Topic Summary: Armed Forces Veterans provides a detailed summary

Prior to summer 2021 there were approximately 400 refugees and asylum seekers in Suffolk, largely in the Ipswich area. Over the last few years, Suffolk has had arrivals from Afghanistan and Ukraine. There are now over 2,000 people spread across the county.

Asylum seekers living in Suffolk are accommodated by the Home Office whilst they await a decision on their asylum claim. People have fled conflict in their home countries, including Eritrea, Iraq, Iran and Syria.

Voluntary and statutory sector partners work together in Suffolk to provide support services to those in need.

Further information on support for refugees can be found on the Suffolk County Council website.

Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities encompass a diverse community with different histories, cultures, and beliefs. Generally, the term describes people from a range of ethnicities following nomadic ways of life. However, the number of ‘settled’ GRT people living in bricks and mortar accommodation has increased in recent years.

The long-standing persecution, displacement, and discrimination against the GRT community has contributed to their overall poorer health compared to the general population. At present, GRT communities are known to face some of the severest inequalities in health and care access and outcomes amongst the UK population, even when compared with other minority ethnic groups. This includes 10-25 years lower life expectancy, poorer maternal and neonatal outcomes, higher prevalence of long-term illness and poorer mental health.

The 2021 Census indicated that:

• 1,892 Suffolk residents said they were Gypsy Roma or Traveller in Suffolk, representing approximately 0.3% of Suffolk’s total population.
• This is an increase of 1,288 people (213.25% increase) compared to the 2011 Census (604 people).
• This increase (mirrored nationally) is mainly attributed to the inclusion of ‘White: Roma’ as a distinct ethnic classification for the first time, with the first official population of Roma heritage in Suffolk recorded at 987.

Our team has produced a Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Communities in Suffolk Health Needs Assessment. This provides a more detailed analysis of this population group.