Member Directory

Addiction Family Support (Forces Family Support)

Charity Number: 1123316

Forces Family Support provides specialist support to members of the Armed Forces Community, including serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families, carers, colleagues and friends, who are affected or bereaved by a loved one’s harmful use of alcohol, drugs, other substances or gambling.

Having a loved one harmfully using (or addicted to) substances or gambling causes anxiety, stress, fear, shame, helplessness, and isolation. The stigma of addiction often results in being marginalised, especially within Armed Forces communities. When added to the challenges of active military deployment or transitioning to civilian life, the situation can become unmanageable.

The services provided by Forces Family Support are designed to help affected others, in their
own right. Outside the Chain of Command, service users are given a safe, confidential and non judgemental space to speak openly, receive information, receive encouragement and explore coping strategies. This support enables service users to reduce their stress and anxiety, strengthen relationships and gain the confidence to focus on their own health and wellbeing.

Wider benefits for the Armed Forces might include improved retention of serving personnel or a reduced burden on military health and welfare services.

Forces Family Support operates under the auspices of Addiction Family Support, the leading UK registered charity supporting people affected or bereaved by a loved one’s addiction, bringing specialist military understanding and tailored support to those connected to the Armed Forces.

For more information visit https://forcesfamilysupport.org.uk or email us at info@forcesfamilysupport.org.uk

Contact Information

https://addictionfamilysupport.org.uk/support-for-armed-forces-communities/
office@addictionfamilysupport.org.uk
86-90 Paul Street
EC2A 4NE
0843 122 5434

Support Offered

Our dedicated Helpline (0300 222 5747) is available 365 days a year and is staffed by trained volunteers and Family Support Workers.

Individuals can access support by calling the Helpline, after which they are referred to our specialist Forces Family Support service for one-to-one counselling, couples or group support. All therapeutic support is delivered and overseen by a
qualified and registered psychotherapist with extensive experience working with serving personnel, Army Welfare Officers, DCMH, and across military bases.

Service users can self-refer into Forces Family Support or be signposted by family, friends, colleagues, Welfare Units, Defence Medical Welfare, the NHS, or their GP. One to one and group support is provided remotely, using telephone, email, and video, allowing access for those based overseas as well as in the UK.

Armed Forces’ Christian Union

Charity Number: 249636

The AFCU’s objective is to extend the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in and through the Armed Forces by prayerfully: encouraging Christians in the Armed Forces to live out and develop their faith, act as salt and light, and encourage others to come to a committed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: working for unity amongst Christians in the Armed Forces, and working alongside Military Christian Organisations in support of chaplains; supporting the Armed
Forces, providing Godly influence upon military culture; and exposing the role of Christians in the Armed Forces to the wider Christian and secular community.

Contact Information

https://www.afcu.org.uk/
office@afcu.org.uk
Unit 24
Shrivenham Hundred Business Park
Watchfield
SN6 8TZ
01793 783123

Support Offered

Support – we run a series of 13 week-long and weekend events throughout the year to support our members. These cover Christian support to serving personnel and their families. We provide pastoral support to Christian veterans in custody. We also support the MOD Service of Prayer held annually in London prior to Remembrance Sunday.

Expertise – we are practitioners of prayerful support for Christians in the Armed Forces. We are developing some non-clinical expertise in assisting sufferers of PTSD through prayer support to heal the spirit and alleviate mental pain.

Cooperation – We already collaborate with service chaplaincies, Aggie Weston’s and other faith networks. We are one of the organisations in the MOD Diversity and Inclusion Networks. We are listed as part of the Defence Employee Support Network in the Army publication ‘Widening Opportunities – A British Army Commander’s Guide to Employee Support Networks and attend associated meetings.

BuildForce CIC

Company Number: 12874013

The BuildForce core activities centre around the 2 sectors we occupy:
– upskill service leavers and veterans with training which leads to careers in construction
– support service leavers and veterans to secure careers in construction.

The vision for BuildForce is to inspire and enable ex-Service personnel to pursue long-term careers in construction whilst supporting industry to attract, retain and grow this incredible talent pool.

Contact Information

http://www.buildforce.org.uk
info@buildforce.org.uk
66 Gloucester Terrace
London
W2 3HH
07815 755285

Support Offered

BuildForce is nationwide and offers a compliment of services focused on industry, training and well-being:
-Centred around a unique career programme with access to industry via mentoring, work placements, site visits, career chats and job roles.
-Our collaboration with University College of Estate Management created bespoke construction modules offering certification, a place on a degree course for onward learning and CPD.
-Mental health, wellbeing and stress management support is provided for all candidates by our psychologist.

Care After Combat

Charity Number: 1159342
Company Number: 9152620

To provide assistance and welfare to, but not restricted to, veterans in the criminal justice system by the provison of a mentor.
To create a pathway back to normality for the veteran who has been in prison.

Contact Information

http://www.careaftercombat.org
enquiries@careaftercombat.org
Office 12
Newark Beacon Innovation Centre
Cafferata Way
NG24 2TN
01636 557 543

Support Offered

Mentorship programme of support
Group meetings in prison
Remote support service
Telephone helpline
Raising awareness through training
Connection to other services
Family support

Combat Stress

Charity Number: 206002
Scottish Charity Number: SC038828
Company Number: 256353

Combat Stress is the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health. The charity focusses on delivering specialist treatment and support to veterans with complex mental health issues – those who have several severe mental health conditions arising from military service.

They believe that military trauma shouldn’t destroy the lives of veterans and their families.

Veterans and their families can call Combat Stress’ free 24-hour helpline, on 0800 138 1619, for confidential advice and support.

The charity also operates a serving personnel helpline on 0800 323 4444.

For general information and enquiries, please call 01372 587 000 or email contactus@combatstress.org.uk.

For more information visit: http://www.combatstress.org.uk

Contact Information

http://www.combatstress.org.uk
contactus@combatstress.org.uk
Tyrwhitt House
Oaklawn Road
Leatherhead
KT22 0BX
01372 587 000

Support Offered

Combat Stress’ specialist treatment is available across the UK – with teams in Belfast, Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Surrey, the Midlands and the Northwest.

The vast majority of the charity’s specialist services are now provided online, as it removes geographical and logistical barriers to receiving treatment. Where required, this online provision is complemented by in-person outpatient appointments and community services including peer support, and treatment on a residential basis.

Treatment is tailored to each individual’s specific needs, and includes psychiatric and psychological treatment; substance misuse management; art therapy; occupational therapy; peer support; family support; online self-help materials and a 24-hour Helpline.

Dundee Therapy Garden

Scottish Charity Number: SC046484

Dundee Therapy Garden uses horticultural therapy to help Dundee’s uniformed service veterans overcome mental health problems which have damaged their lives.

Contact Information

https://www.dundeetherapygarden.org/
enquiries@dundeetherapygarden.org
The Birches
High St.
Edzell,Brechin
DD9 7TF
01356 648 008

Support Offered

Dundee Therapy Garden offers individually tailored therapy sessions in a peaceful garden in Dudhope Park. The charity works with the veterans to develop coping strategies which enable them to rebuild their self-confidence, restore relationships with family and friends and reconnect with the communities in which they live. Dundee Therapy Garden employs 2 qualified therapists who are helped by a team of trained volunteers. Horticultural therapy is not a quick fix. It may take as long as 3 years before a veteran is ready to move on to the world of work or to further training. The therapists also offer advice and support to family members.

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

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.

Healthier Heroes CIC

Company Number: 11475724

Our purpose is to deliver a service of safe housing, holistic, trauma-informed support that helps vulnerable adults stabilise, rehabilitate, and reintegrate into independent living and purposeful community life.

Healthier Heroes, offer more than just a safe place to stay, we are a community. Service members are supported by a multidisciplinary team including outreach workers, an in-house psychotherapist, veteran peer mentors, and wellbeing coordinators who help build emotional resilience, practical life skills, and a sense of belonging. Everything, we, as leaders, needed but never received.

Our vision is to inspire a movement of resilience and empowerment, cultivating a healthier future for all. To create a society where every veteran and those from their community, has access to safe housing, the tools, resources, and support needed to lead a healthy, balanced life.

Healthier Heroes CIC is committed to offering innovative housing, health and mental wellbeing support. Through community engagement, personalised services, and impactful education, we strive to remove barriers to well-being, promote positive lifestyle changes, and ensure that all people, especially those who have served, are given the opportunity to thrive.

Contact Information

http://www.healthierheroescic.co.uk
connect@healthierheroescic.co.uk
Bancroft House
4-6 Elizabeth Street
Burnley
BB11 2BQ

Support Offered

We offer a combination of outreach, supported accommodation, and one-to-one interventions, working closely with statutory services, health providers, local authorities, and the wider veterans’ sector. Our team has expertise in supporting individuals with complex needs, including mental health difficulties, substance misuse recovery, homelessness, and transitions back into civilian life.

Healthier Heroes CIC is committed to collaborative working, safeguarding, and evidence-based practice, ensuring that those we support receive consistent, coordinated care that promotes independence, resilience, and positive outcomes.

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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