Armed Forces support services
Norfolk has lots of support services for Armed Forces personnel and their families, including:
Armed Forces support services
Veterans' Gateway
The Veterans' Gateway is the national first point of contact for veterans seeking support. It puts veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the information, advice and support they need - from healthcare and housing to employability, finances, personal relationships and more.
For a quick guide on what Veterans Gateway can do for you download this leaflet (PDF) [708KB].
SSAFA
SSAFA provides support to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force.
They provide practical and emotional support to serving personnel and their families including housing, healthcare, mentoring and adoption support.
Experienced local advisors offer lifelong support to veterans including;
- Housing
- Debt advice
- Support for offenders and ex-offenders
- Mobility
SSAFA also operate a free confidential telephone and email helpline called Forcesline open 9am-5:30pm Monday-Friday and accessible all over the world (0800 731 4880 in the UK).
Royal British Legion in Norfolk
The Royal British Legion provides care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families.
The Royal British Legion's area welfare teams offer help to anyone who is serving, has served, or is the dependent or carer of someone who has served in the UK's Armed Forces.
The Legion offer financial aid in an urgent crisis, help homeless ex-service people get back on their feet, advise on compensation claims, offer careers advice for those looking to make a fresh start after leaving the Forces, arrange home or hospital visits and much more.
The Royal British Legion operate a free telephone helpline open 8am-8pm, seven days a week (0808 802 8080 - free from UK landlines and mobiles).
RAF Benevolent Fund
The RAF Benevolent Fund supports those that need help to get the help that they are entitled to in the East of England.
This can be either financial help or community support such as bereavement counselling, telephone friendship roups and other emotional wellbeing services. They also work with lonely and isolated people to help them engage with their local community.
Regular Forces Employment Association
Known as the forces employment charity, Regular Forces Employment Association is the leading provider of jobs and employment services to ex-military and service leavers.
Services include: the Career Transition Partnership, veterans employment services, employment services for wounded, injured and sick service leavers, special programmes for early service leavers, and a vulnerable veterans service.
Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations
Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations offers advice and assistance on matters concerning reserve forces and cadets of all three services.
Thirteen regional associations are responsible for the wellbeing of its region's reserve forces and cadets - by promoting the interests of the Armed Forces and building relationships with the local community and employees.
Veterans UK
Veterans UK are part of the MoD and help ex-forces to get the right support from government, local authorities and the charitable sector - including Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, war pensions, Veterans Welfare Service and Veterans UK helpline.
Bridge for heroes
As a small charity with a big heart, The Bridge for Heroes has a committed team of trustees, staff and volunteers who go the extra mile to ensure that the Armed Forces Community (AFC) in King's Lynn, West Norfolk and beyond, receive help and support when needed.
Whatever the issue, problem or concern, we can support individuals and their families, whether by giving direct support or making referrals to more specialised services. We work collaboratively with a variety of organisations, statutory agencies, and charities, all of whom are able to provide targeted support. We help these parties understand the needs of the Armed Forces Community so that we can work together to provide support.
Our service provision includes one-to-one and group sessions, a programme of activities, and informal social engagement (a brew and a catch-up)!
Outside the wire
Outside the wire is run by the Matthew Project and is a specialist drug and alcohol service offering confidential advice, support and treatment to current and ex-forces personnel, reservists, and their families across Norfolk and Suffolk.
This bespoke service empowers people to take control of their lives and supports those with alcohol and drug problems including: relapse prevention, harm reduction, advocacy, family support, smoking cessation, alternative therapies and onward referrals.
Combat Stress
Combat Stress is known as the veterans' mental health charity.
It offers evidence-based treatment and support services including: psycho-education, medication review, mindfulness training, trauma-focused therapy (cognitive behavioural therapy, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing).
Combat Stress also support people by training them in coping skills eg anxiety management, anger management and grounding techniques and through activity-based rehabilitation eg occupational therapy, outdoor pursuits and structured psychosocial activities.
Combat Stress operate a free helpline open 24 hours a day, seven days a week (0800 138 1619).
Army Families Federation
The Army Families Federation (AFF) is the independent voice of Army families and works hard to improve the quality of life for Army families around the world. They can advise on key topics such as housing, education, employment, wellbeing, finances, relationships and working or living overseas.
Naval Families Federation
The Naval Families Federation (NFF) gathers information from the current serving population and their families to help influence policy nationally. They can advise on key topics such as housing, education, employment, wellbeing, finances, relationships and working / living overseas.
RAF Families Federation
The RAF Families Federation provides all RAF personnel and their families - Regular and Reserve, single or married - with timely and professional support, assistance and an independent voice regarding issues or concerns that they may have. They can advise on key topics such as housing, education, employment, wellbeing, finances, relationships and working or living overseas.
NHS services
Find out more about NHS services available to the armed forces community. (opens new window)
Support for the Service Community
Veterans Welfare Service - useful links for the service community
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