{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"","standfirst":"VE Mail, part of the VE Day 80 commemorations, is a unique opportunity for young people to learn first-hand about a shared story which connects the past, present and future. ","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/zpbfkzhi/1707-nature-diary-illustration.png","width":1116,"height":837,"altText":"The image shows an illustration of a person sitting in a chair and drawing on a piece of paper. There\u0027s a bird in the air behind their chair, as well as a yellow sun in the sky, butterflies and a flower. There are pens next to the person sat in the chair and they are looking down at their drawing.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EEighty years on since the end of the Second World War in Europe, youth groups and schools across the country are invited to request a letter from a living veteran to be sent to their children and young people.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYoung people are then encouraged to write back to the veteran to say thank you, reflect on what VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) means to them now and how they\u0027ll preserve the legacy of the veterans.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EFirst hand accounts\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn 1945, people across the UK and beyond shared their stories of the war, leading up to the first VE Day on 8 May, by writing to friends, family and loved ones. These letters are a legacy of their experiences.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EToday, eighty years on, children and young people in schools and youth organisations are invited to hear directly from these same people who lived and fought during the Second World War.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe VE Mail letter-exchange activity will be a moment young people will remember \u2013 seeing how the past affects their futures.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/zkrjqq4l/two-beaver-scouts-drawing-together.jpg","width":7360,"height":4912,"altText":"The image shows two Beaver Scouts in their blue jumpers with badges on and orange neckers stood next to a table drawing. They\u0027ve both got their heads down and they\u0027re looking at a piece of paper while holding pens in their right hands. ","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EHow you can get involved\u0026nbsp;\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EScout Groups and Sections can \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://together.org.uk/ve80/vemail/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eregister to request a letter from a Second World War veteran\u003C/a\u003E. You\u0027ll be asked to input how you want the letter addressed. This should refer to the Section or Group (such as 1st Anytown Cubs) you\u0027d like the letter to be written to.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs a leader, you can then read the letter to the young people and encourage them to write thank you letters back to the veteran. You could do this as an activity during your section meeting.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOn your letter from the veteran, they\u0027ll be details of where to send your thank you letters back to and any information you need to enclose with your letters.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs the veterans will receive a high volume of letters, we can\u2019t guarantee a response back to the group after you\u2019ve sent your letters \u2013 but all letters will be read.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/rflkwrkg/ve-day-badge.png","width":418,"height":426,"altText":"The image shows Scouts\u0027 badge for VE Day 80. The badge has a red border with a union jack pattern on the inner edge, then a red poppy at the top in the middle. The text \u0027VE Day\u0027 appears in navy with a gold \u002780\u0027 next to it, with the navy text \u0027Scouts for peace\u0027 underneath. Underneath that text is a blue fleur-de-lis on top of a gold circle.","caption":"The official VE Day 80 occasional uniform badge is on sale from Scout Store from 25 March 2025.","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EConnecting with personal stories\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBy receiving and reading their special letter, young people will connect to the personal story of the veteran. They\u0027ll gain new insight and understanding as to what VE meant to our nation back in 1945 and why it still matters today.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"I\u2019m proud to support the VE Mail campaign as part of VE Day 80 commemorations. This is such a great opportunity for all young people across the UK to learn from the experiences and values of our veterans.\n \nBy sharing stories and letters, we\u2019re not only honouring these remarkable individuals, but also making sure their legacy endures and inspires future generations. It\u2019s vital that our young people understand and appreciate the sacrifices made for the freedoms we enjoy today, and the VE Mail campaign serves as a powerful testament to that commitment. \n\nThis is truly an intergenerational learning opportunity and I\u0027d love to see all communities across the UK get involved.","attribution":"Dwayne Fields, Chief Scout","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWe\u0027ve got plenty more details on how Scouts are commemorating VE Day. To find out how you can take part, \u003Ca href=\u0022/national-events/commemorating-ve-day-80/\u0022 title=\u0022Commemorating VE Day 80\u0022\u003Evisit our Commemorating VE Day page\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Commemorating VE Day","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003EFAQs\u003C/h4\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EVE Mail is open to any primary or secondary school or youth organisation in the UK.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Who can take part in VE Mail?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EScout Groups and Sections can \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://together.org.uk/ve80/vemail/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eregister to request a letter from a Second World War veteran\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"How do we sign up to receive our letter?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ELetters will be sent out within two weeks of your request.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen you sign up for VE Mail, you\u0027ll be given a link for a VE Mail Learning Pack. This\u0027ll give you lesson ideas and activities you can do with young people in the lead up to your VE Mail landing on your door step.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"When will we receive our letter?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EYou\u0027ll share the letter with your young people and encourage them to write back thank you letters for the veteran. You could do this as an activity during a Scout meeting.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOn your letter from the Veteran, there\u0027ll be details of where to send your thank you letters back to and any information you need to enclose with your letters. But don\u2019t worry, enclosed with the letters is step by step guidance to help you.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"What happens when we get our letter?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EVE Mail is a unique opportunity for young people to connect with World War Two veterans by hearing their first-hand stories and reflections on VE Day.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThrough letter exchanges, this initiative brings history to life, fostering personal connections while preserving a lasting legacy 80 years after the war.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt offers veterans the recognition they deserve and provides a meaningful way for students to engage with the lessons of World War Two.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBy taking part, schools and youth organisations contribute to a once-in-a-lifetime project that makes sure future generations continue to learn from and honour those who served.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Why take part in VE Mail?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThere are a wide range of opportunities for schools to engage with VE and VJ Day 80 as part of the Our Shared Story Education Programme.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETo find out more,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/schools/schools-toolkit/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Esign up to download the education toolkit here.\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou can also take part in a locally organised event on 5 May 2025 or plan something for the day itself on 8 May 2025.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EVisit the \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/schools/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EVE-VJ Day 80 Schools page\u003C/a\u003E for inspiration and ideas.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"What else can I do to be a part of the VE Day 80 anniversary?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe Together Coalition will hold your data from the sign up form (your name, email address, school/organisation name) solely for the purpose of contacting you about VE80 and VE Mail.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYour data will not be shared with other third party organisations.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAfter the campaign ends at the end of May 2025, your data will be deleted from its database.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Privacy policy"}]}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"18 March 2025","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Request your VE Mail Letter","url":"https://together.org.uk/ve80/vemail/ve-mail-sign-up-form/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Sign up to download the VE and VJ Day 80 commemoration education pack","url":"https://ve-vjday80.gov.uk/schools/schools-toolkit/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Commemorating VE Day 80","url":"/national-events/commemorating-ve-day-80/","newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Scouts for peace: How we can help build a better future","url":"/news/2025/january/scouts-for-peace-how-we-can-help-build-a-better-future/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"The Together Coalition \u2013\u00A0VE and VJ Day 80","url":"https://together.org.uk/ve80/","newWindow":false}],"id":85062,"nodeName":"VE Day 80: Write letters to a Second World War veteran","title":"VE Day 80: Write letters to a Second World War veteran    ","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/e0hoztba/ve80-occasional-uniform-badge.png?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dba3de10135050","caption":"VE80 Occasional Uniform Badge","type":"png","size":685970,"width":1950,"height":1080,"altText":"The occasional uniform badge for VE Day 80 against a blue background."},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"VE Day 80: Write letters to a Second World War veteran    ","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"As part of commemorating VE Day 80, youth groups and schools are invited to request a letter from a living World War Two veteran.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC84NTA2MiJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2025/march/ve-day-80-write-letters-to-a-second-world-war-veteran/"}