Selected support organisations
ARTICLES
Just a few of the many organisations that exist to offer advice, information and support to Service leavers …
GENERAL
Veterans’ Gateway
The first point of contact for veterans seeking support, Veterans’ Gateway puts veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help them with the information, advice and support they need – from healthcare and housing to employability, finances, personal relationships and more.
Helpline: 0808 802 1212
veteransgateway.org.uk
HIVEs
HIVEs offer an extensive range of help and advice, focusing on relocation, local area information, education, accommodation, employment and training opportunities, childcare and travel. HIVE Information Support Officers (HISOs) research answers to enquiries and have excellent links with Service and civilian agencies.
www.army.mod.uk/people/support-well/hive/
www.raf.mod.uk/serving-families/hive-finder/
www.royalnavy.mod.uk/community-and-support/advice-and-support
WELFARE
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity
Timely practical and financial support for soldiers, veterans and their families.
www.soldierscharity.org
The Royal British Legion
Caring and campaigning for the ex-Service community.
www.britishlegion.org.uk
The Poppy Factory
Helping veterans with health challenges to find life-changing employment across the UK; recruitment opportunities for ex-military.
www.poppyfactory.org
The Officers’ Association (OA)
Dedicated to assisting officers who have retired or are about to retire from HM Armed Forces.
www.officersassociation.org.uk
RAF Association (RAFA)
Comradeship, welfare and care for current and former members of the RAF.
www.rafa.org.uk
Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
Assistance to those of the extended RAF family who need support as a consequence of poverty, sickness, disability, accident, infirmity or other adversity.
www.rafbf.org
SSAFA
Helping Service personnel and their families in times of need, providing welfare and social work services, healthcare and housing support.
www.ssafa.org.uk
Veterans UK
Information and guidance on war pensions, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, commemorations, medals and veterans’ issues.
www.veterans-uk.info
White Ensign Association
Guidance on personal administration and finance for all Service and ex-Service personnel of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, and their reserves.
www.whiteensign.co.uk
Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust (WRNS BT)
Relief in cases of necessity or distress among its members and their dependants; also makes grants for education and training.
www.wrnsbt.org.uk
EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
RFEA – The Forces Employment Charity
Employment support and job-finding assistance for veterans.
www.rfea.org.uk
X-Forces Enterprise (XFE)
The leading organisation in the UK for enterprise in the military community.
www.x-forces.com
FINANCES
Forces Pension Society
Independent watchdog for Armed Forces pensions, campaigning for Service pension rights. Supports and advises members in their fight for the pensions to which they are entitled.
www.forcespensionsociety.org
HOUSING
Erskine
Unrivalled support for veterans in Scotland, through four care homes and a Veterans Village.
www.erskine.org.uk
Haig Housing Trust
Housing assistance for ex-Service personnel and/or their dependants, letting homes at affordable rents to the ex-Service community and providing tailored housing solutions to suit the individual needs of severely wounded and disabled veterans.
www.haighousing.org.uk
Royal Star & Garter Homes
Award-winning care and specialist nursing for veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia.
www.starandgarter.org
Scottish Veterans Residences
Supported housing for former members of the UK Armed Forces who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with services located in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow.
www.svronline.org
Stoll
The leading provider of supported housing to vulnerable veterans.
www.stoll.org.uk
Veterans Aid
Helping ex-Service men and women in crisis, specifically dealing with the factors that contribute to crisis – especially those leading to homelessness.
www.veterans-aid.net
The above is just a small selection of the charities and support organisations working to support current and former member of the Armed Forces, and their families. For a more comprehensive list click here
