Meet Cobseo’s Members: Introducing Anxious Minds

Tell us about your organisation…

Anxious Minds is a multi-award-winning mental health charity based in the North East of England, dedicated to providing life-changing support to veterans and their families. Our specialist services for veterans are delivered through our Veteran Recovery College, Veteran and Community Kitchen, and tailored counselling and recovery programmes.

How does your organisation support the Armed Forces Community?

North Tyneside Veteran Recovery College: The North East Veteran Recovery College is a nationally acclaimed initiative designed to support veterans and their families in managing mental health challenges and adjusting to civilian life. As part of the NHS’s Recovery College Collective and accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists through the Quality Network for Veteran’s Mental Health Services (QNVMHS), it delivers:

• Personalised counselling
• Peer support and rehabilitation
• Help with addiction, employment, and life skills
• Trauma-informed care

The college has won multiple national awards and plays a leading role in shaping regional veteran support policy through active participation on boards like the North East and North Cumbria ICB Lived Experience Board for Mental Health. The Second Veteran Recovery College is set to open in Durham early 2026 and Anxious Minds is working in Partnership with Durham Council, SSAFA and the RBL to support even more people from the veteran community.

Veteran and Community Kitchen: Operating as both a food resource and a mental health access point, the Veteran and Community Kitchen supports hundreds of vulnerable individuals weekly. For many veterans, it serves as a non-intimidating first point of contact, offering food, warmth, and a route into wider mental health and welfare services.

Counselling and Recovery: We run one of the only long-term recovery centres specifically for veterans in the region. Veterans and their families receive trauma-informed, one-on-one counselling from highly qualified accredited therapists. Sessions are offered face-to-face at our North Tyneside and Blyth centres, tailored to each individual’s needs. The typical engagement ranges from 6–18 weeks, with extended support via peer-led groups.

The Need and Impact: The North East has the highest suicide rate in the UK. We’ve seen a 35% year-on-year increase in veterans seeking help, yet funding remains precarious. Over 600 veterans and family members have accessed our recovery services in the last two year. Our veteran services save lives, rebuild families, and help individuals reintegrate into society with dignity and purpose.

What makes you proud of the work in the sector?

• Supporting those who’ve served. There’s pride in giving back to people who’ve made significant sacrifices. Helping service personnel and veterans navigate life after service can feel deeply meaningful.
• Making a tangible difference. Whether it’s improving mental health, providing housing, or helping families, the work often leads to visible, life-changing outcomes.
• Community and camaraderie. The Armed Forces community tends to be tightly knit. Contributing to that sense of belonging and trust can be very rewarding.
• Upholding values, Integrity, service, resilience, and teamwork are core values in the military world. Continuing to live out or support those values through your work is a source of pride.
• Being part of systemic change, working in this sector help shape policy, improve access to services, and reduce stigma around mental health. Knowing your work drives broader cultural shifts can feel powerful.

How does being a Member of Cobseo help you to do your work?

Being a member of Cobseo, the Confederation of Service Charities is a big advantage for organisations working in the Armed Forces community.

• Networking and partnerships. It connects you with hundreds of other Armed Forces charities and organisations, opening up opportunities for collaboration, referrals, and joint funding bids.
• Influence and advocacy. Cobseo represents the collective voice of the Armed Forces charity sector to government, funders, and policymakers. As a member, your concerns and insights feed into national discussions and policy development.
• Shared knowledge and best practice. Access to working groups, research, and briefings helps you stay up to date with new initiatives, funding streams, and evidence-based approaches.
• Increased credibility. Being a Cobseo member signals that your organisation meets certain standards of governance and impact, which reassures funders, partners, and beneficiaries.
• Specialist support. Cobseo runs cluster groups on topics such as employment, mental health, and housing. These forums allow you to learn from others tackling the same challenges and to share your expertise.