Member Directory

Defence Gardens Scheme CIC

Company Number: SC681754

The Defence Gardens Scheme (DGS) is a national network of gardens which host the delivery and evaluation of nature-based therapy for Armed Forces Service Leavers and Veterans and their Families.

Contact Information

http://defencegardens.org/
info@defencegardens.org
39 Hanover Street
EH2 2PJ

Support Offered

The Defence Gardens Scheme (DGS) works in partnership with veterans’ charities, military units, community mental health service providers and gardening projects to develop, deliver and evaluate nature-based therapy.

The network is based on a ‘Hub and Spoke’ model of community-based mental health care. The Hub gardens deliver and evaluate the 10-week DGS Programme, also delivered within prison to Veterans within the Criminal Justice System. The Spoke gardens are part of a local community to ensure continuation of support.

To increase access and outreach DGS has developed one-day Cultivate and Connect Workshops and Wellbeing Walks, offering all members of the Armed Forces Community the opportunity to learn about and immerse themselves in nature.

Disability Stockport

Charity Number: 1133529

Disability Stockport is a long-established charity that has been providing high quality services and support for over 43 years, improving the independence, wellbeing, and quality of life of disabled and neurodiverse adults, their families, and carers across Greater Manchester and the wider North West.

We offer person centred, non-clinical support to individuals living with a wide range of disabilities and long-term conditions, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, learning disabilities, and acquired brain injuries. Our work is founded on trauma informed, inclusive, and strengths-based practice, promoting equality, accessibility, and self-determination.

Through wraparound support, welfare and advocacy services, wellbeing activities, and community engagement, we help to reduce isolation, promote inclusion, and empower individuals to live fulfilled and independent lives. We work collaboratively across statutory, voluntary, and community sectors to ensure that disabled and neurodiverse people receive joined up, meaningful support that enables them to thrive.

Contact Information

http://www.disabilitystockport.co.uk
email@disabilitystockport.org.uk
23 Hight Street
Stockport
SK1 1EG

Support Offered

Our specialist ex-forces service, Live at Ease, is a non-clinical support programme dedicated to improving the lives of neurodivergent ex-forces men and women across the North West of England. Established in 2021, the service provides long-term, person centred support for ex-forces personnel living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, acquired brain injuries, and other complex co-existing conditions including Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, and service related or non-service PTSD, whether formally diagnosed or not.

Developed and led by experienced practitioners with clinical insight, welfare expertise, and lived military experience, Live at Ease is grounded in a trauma informed, neurodiversity affirming, and strengths-based approach. The service bridges the gap between clinical intervention and everyday life, offering flexible wraparound support that enables ex-forces personnel to regain independence, stability, and confidence while improving mental wellbeing and overall quality of life.

Support is not time-limited and can include case management, welfare advocacy, diagnosis diagnostic pathway navigation, benefits and housing advice, wellbeing and nature-based inclusion activities, peer engagement, and access to autism friendly social groups.

Working collaboratively with the DWP, NHS services, and Armed Forces charities, Live at Ease ensures that neurodivergent ex-forces personnel receive joined-up, consistent, and meaningful care. It remains one of the only services in the UK providing specialised, long-term, non-clinical support for neurodiverse ex-forces, setting a benchmark for inclusive and effective provision within the Armed Forces community.

East Durham Veterans Trust

Charity Number: 1190445

We provide assistance to veterans and their families with Mental Health support through counselling and one to one interventions, Addiction support with our addiction substance misuse practitioner. The addiction support is through group work as well as one to one interventions. We also supply complementary therapies in the form of reiki and acupuncture. Social inclusion in the form of groups such as woodcraft, model making and craft as well as coffee morning’s free meals and our breakfast club. Practical support through our case workers who support such things as benefits, housing, fuel poverty, food poverty as well as furniture.

Contact Information

http://www.eastdurhamveterans.co.uk
contact@eastdurhamveterans.co.uk
Queen Alexandra Road
Seaham
SR7 7NH
01915815677

Support Offered

We have 2 case workers who work with the practical support side of what we offer. We have 4 fully qualified counsellors who work within the veterans trust and are dedicated to supporting our veterans. Our substance misuse practitioner who has 18 years experience in substance misuse and also offers complimentary therapies such as reiki and acupuncture.

East Sussex Veterans Hub

Charity Number: 1183583

The mission of ESVH is to provide non-clinical support, including welfare, well-being and coping for Veterans of the Armed Forces in East Sussex, particularly those with combat related PTSD and mental ill health or involved within the criminal justice system.
Objectives:
To reduce social isolation and enable veterans to integrate into the local community;
To improve desistence within the criminal justice system;
To increase veteran’s ability to understand, address and manage PTSD, mental health symptoms and through self-help gain a reasonable quality of life;
To work in collaboration and develop professional working relationships with local services: both statutory and non-statutory; and
To work with veterans and introduce them to appropriate services that meet their needs, where and when these are required.

Contact Information

http://
esvh99100@btinternet.com
5 Harold Place
Hastings
East Sussex
TN34 1JA

Support Offered

Wellbeing & Coping Sessions, including meditation every fortnight, Saturdays 1000 to 1300 hours. Hastings.
Monday, Tuesday, & Friday office and drop in 0930 to 1300 hours
One to One visits as required
Full range of welfare support, assistance with transition, resettlement, allowances, GPs and NHS specialist.
Advice on support available and direct help for homeless getting back into accommodation.
Assistance in preparation to return to work or volunteering.
Particular support for those with PTSD/mental ill health.
Presentations to statutory bodies and other organisations that interface with military community.
Special support for veterans involved with Criminal Justice System, including those on remand, serving a sentence or pre release. Provision of RAR days for those with community sentences or on licence.
Developing services for families of veterans in need.
Provision of special activity days, sculpturing, visits, etc

Felix Fund

Charity Number: 1142494

To assist with the well-being of individuals within the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community past, present and future.

Contact Information

https://www.felixfund.org.uk/
enquiries@felixfund.co.uk
Vauxhall Barracks
Foxhall Road
Didcot
OX11 7ES
07713 752901

Support Offered

The Felix Fund offers welfare support through:

• Therapeutic breaks for those recently returned from operational tours.
• Specialist coaching and mentoring to help relieve stress related illness.
• On-camp rehabilitation facilities.
• Confidential Helpline through Sapper Support.

And financial assistance:
• To the families of EOD operatives who have lost their lives.
• For funding of specialist equipment for physically and mentally injured serving and ex-serving soldiers.
• to EOD operatives and their families when facing hard times.

Forces Children Scotland (Royal Caledonian Trust)

Charity Number: 310952

Forces Children Scotland supports children and young people from serving personnel, reservist and veteran families to reach their potential and thrive. We achieve this by working collaboratively across sectors to drive improvements which reflect and support the unique challenges they face. We amplify their voices, ensuring they are heard and influence the development of policy and practice.

We support the children and young people of Scottish regular and reservist personnel as well as veterans of all arms of the British Armed Forces, who reside anywhere across the United Kingdom. We also support the children and young people of regular and reservist personnel who aren’t Scottish and are currently based or residing in Scotland.

Contact Information

https://forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/
admin@forceschildrenscotland.org.uk
15 Hill Street
Edinburgh
EH2 3JP
0131 240 2224

Support Offered

• We create opportunities for children and young people to be heard, make new friends and get involved in lots of different, creative ways
• We give financial support in different ways for children, young people and their families including our School Children’s Fund, College & University Student’s Fund, Support in a Crisis, Family Time Break Fund, Young Carers Support
• We deliver projects and services that help support children and young people with their mental health and wellbeing and education and learning
• We provide advice and support to those who support children and young people through a programme of training, resources, research, and access to our advisory service
• We build sector partnerships to help influence change in policy and practice

Forces Employment Charity

Charity Number: 1061212
Scottish Charity Number: Sc039262
Company Number: 3270369

Part of the Career Transition Partnership. To help men and women of all ranks leaving the Armed Forces to find and remain in employment throughout their working lives.

Contact Information

http://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/
info@forcesemployment.org.uk
Mountbarrow House
6-20 Elizabeth Street
London
SW1W 9RB

Support Offered

Counselling and support.
Job finding, advice and search.

Forces Online CIO

Charity Number: 1188955
Scottish Charity Number: SC050678

Forces Online is a small, registered online veteran’s charity that was setup for:
“The relief of former members of the armed forces services personnel, their families and dependents; who are in need by reason of age, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage, in particular but not exclusively providing them by multi-disciplinary team (advice, information and signposting and bespoke support), through collaboration, networking and campaigning for better access to services, we aim to continue to improve the lives of our beneficiary’s so that they have an enhanced quality of life and overall wellbeing for their benefit, by the provision of services as the trustees feel fit.”
We are registered in England and Wales Reg No 1188955, In Scotland as a cross-border charity Reg No SC050678. In Norther Ireland we are currently known as a 167 which is a registered charity working across the UK including Northern Ireland, where we have registered a current statement of Intent and will be called forward for formal registration in due course.

Contact Information

https://www.forcesonline.org.uk
administration@forcesonline.org.uk
Unit 5
Workshed Carriageworks
London Street,Swindon
SN1 5DG

Support Offered

At Forces Online we categorise support with a single motto which is: “Helping armed forces veterans, their families and dependents wherever we can”.
We are a team that comprises of veterans themselves, and some of whom have experienced real life issues because of their service within the armed forces and other life issues.
There is no one label that fits what we do, and we never know what’s coming through the door next. What we do know is when a veteran decides to cry out for help this is not something that has been an easy decision for them. Working through direct support and signposting to other experienced services we have been able to respond quickly to veterans in need of help and support. Whether this is a large complex issue needing a multi-disciplinary approach or a simple enquiry resolution we are here to help.
See https://www.forcesonline.org.uk/promptsheet.pdf for further guidance.

Forces Pension Society

Charity Number: 264524

The Forces Pension Society is an independent, not-for-profit membership funded organisation that acts as a pension watchdog for the whole military community.

Contact Information

https://forcespensionsociety.org/
memsec@forpen.co.uk
68 South Lambeth Road
London
SW8 1RL
020 7820 9988

Support Offered

The Society (FPS) empowers its members to make better, well-informed choices about their Armed Forces Pension by providing members of the Schemes and their partners with personalised pension guidance. FPS influences at the ‘top table’, working in collaboration with government for the appropriate delivery of your pension. The society also runs a series of roadshows, webinars and other educational sessions to better prepare the Armed Forces community on all pension matters. Members receive a variety of benefits including significant discounts and deals across a wide range of commercial goods and services.

Forward Assist

Charity Number: 1150408
Company Number: 08190905

Forward Assist is a ‘Veteran Centric’ Registered Charity based in North Tyneside. Its core aim is to enrich the lives of UK veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Forward Assist believes that by promoting ‘active citizenship’ former servicemen and women will become both, ‘key stakeholders’ and ‘community leaders’ in their chosen communities. Forward Assist enables veterans to use their transferable military skills to do good for others through well supervised projects that support those less well off than themselves. Forward Assist provides ‘life changing’ opportunities such as international travel, whilst increasing self-esteem and the aspirations of those that have served in British Armed Forces. In doing so Veterans gain the respect of the wider civilian community, significant others, thus facilitating a smoother transition to civilian life.
Forward Assist have developed a portfolio of local employers who support our veteran community by working closely with our Education Training & Employment Coordinators to facilitate vital work experience/ placements, career advice and guidance, interview skills, and realistic employment opportunities.

Contact Information

http://www.forward-assist.com/
admin@forwardassist.com
C/O John Willie Sams Centre
Market Street
Dudley
NE23 7HS
0191 250 4877

Support Offered

1. Support all HM Armed Forces veterans & Reservists regardless of time served, age or physical/mental condition.
2. Refer and chaperone process to supporting Charities & Organisations for assistance with health, substance abuse, family breakdown, legal advice, education & training, homelessness, Criminal Justice system involvement, financial & debt advice, welfare, funding options etc.
3. Diversionary activities to encourage engagement and deter social isolation.
4. Mental & physical wellbeing through sporting activities.
5. Community benefit projects to underpin confidence, team work, self-worth and community integration.
6. Full employment support package including CV writing (tailored for the applied role), interpreting transferable skills, interview preparation, variations of application formats, arranging work placements specific to the veterans targeted career goal, identifying training gaps/courses/funding options, volunteering opportunities while searching for employment.
7. Development of independent living skills.
8. Mentoring through unemployment and external agency support.
9. Opportunity of annual international travel (France/USA) for engaged and progressed veterans.

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Our Executive Members

By @Cobseo 56 years ago

Afghanistan support

In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here