Member Directory

5 Towns Veterans Support Hub CIC

Friendly Society Register No: 11952906

We are a group of volunteers from an armed forces and similar background, who have set up the Veterans Centre in Featherstone to provide mental health and wellbeing support to veterans and their families. We provide camaraderie, drop-in services and wellbeing sessions. We signpost to support services including CAB, DWP, GASPED and Turning Point. We work with a PTSD specialist at Pinderfields Hospital and work to raise veteran awareness among key stakeholders in the care and health industries.

Contact Information

https://5townsveterans.co.uk/
contactus@5townsveterans.co.uk
The Veterans Centre
32A Ackworth Road
Featherstone
WF7 5LU
01977 798998

Support Offered

We specialise in support for mental health. We have consulted with key stakeholders in the health industry on the transition from service to civilian life and its impact on mental health.

We are experts at working with and signposting to partner organisations. We work with CAB, NHS, DWP, and mental health counselling organisations such as GASPED and Turning Point.

We specialise in getting the right support for veterans and their families, be it through the veteran’s regiment or through contacts within the Armed Forces Covenant.

Age Cymru Dyfed

Charity Number: 1155813

Age Cymru Dyfed promotes the health and well-being, primarily of older people, in and around west wales (ie the counties of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire).

The charity provides a range of services including Information & Advice relating to financial and physical and emotional wellbeing; Byw Adref (home help); Befriending Life Links; Hospital Discharge; Digital Inclusion; nail cuttings; Covid-19 support; and information and support to older veterans of the British Armed Forces

Contact Information

http://www.agecymru.org.uk/ceredigion
reception@agecymrudyfed.org.uk
27 Pier Street
Aberystwyth
SY23 2LN

Support Offered

On-going information, advice and support to older military veterans including supporting access to welfare benefits and military pension/compensation claims, befriending, advocacy, housing adaptations, Covid-19 emergency support; help to establish digital connections etc

Coordinating the establishment of the West Wales Veterans Archive in the National Library of Wales:

https://www.peoplescollection.wales/users/44171

Age UK Waltham Forest

Charity Number: 1048212
Company Number: 02334459

Age UK Waltham Forest, established in 1982, stands as an independent, self-funded, user-led charity. Our mission is rooted in creating an inclusive, respectful, and supportive society, where each older person enjoys a high-quality, fulfilling life, supported to live independently at home for as long as they desire.

Vision:
Our vision revolves around fostering a society where every older person is empowered to lead a life filled with quality, enjoyment, and fulfilment. We are dedicated to ensuring that individuals can age with dignity, supported by our commitment to facilitating independent living for as long as they wish.

Contact Information

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/walthamforest/
info@ageukwalthamforest.org.uk
Waltham Forest Resource Hub (North)
58 Hall Lane
Chingford
E4 8EU

Support Offered

Age UK Waltham Forest, with its experienced staff and volunteers, annually supports over 6,000 older people in the local area through a diverse range of services including Information and Advice Service, Befriending, Independent Living Services, Veterans Group and 30 weekly activities that include Digital support, coffee Mornings, Zumba, Table Tennis, Walking football. Our work is shaped by the priorities identified by older people themselves, with a focus on money, wellbeing, and inclusion.

Aims:
Reduced Social Isolation: We actively work to diminish social isolation by assisting older individuals in reconnecting with the community. This involves helping them find places to go, engaging in activities, and facilitating connections with new people.

Improved Mental and Physical Health: Our services contribute to improved mental and physical health by enhancing understanding and
self-management of health conditions. We provide information and assist in accessing local health and support services, prioritising the overall wellbeing of our beneficiaries.

Improved Finances and Reduction in Poverty: With expert assistance, we aim to advise and support older people in maximising their incomes, thereby contributing to improved financial stability and a reduction in poverty.

Support for Independent Living: We offer comprehensive support for independent living, including assistance at home, handyperson services, and gardening services, recognising the importance of a safe and comfortable living environment.

Our Veteran support services cover a broad spectrum, including accommodation, health support, addressing social isolation, and organising various events.

Our Joint Coordinators work directly with veterans, providing information and advice services for rehoming, referrals to specialists, and assistance with mental health issues.

They also play a crucial role in facilitating social events, monthly lunches, breakfast clubs, coffee club meetings, and annual Christmas lunches, contributing to building a strong sense of community among veterans. Actively engaging with other veteran organisations, our coordinators have forged partnerships with SSAFA, The Royal British Legion, Veterans Aid, and more. This collaboration ensures veterans are directed to specialised services when needed. Our involvement with Leyton Orient Football Foundation, resulting in monthly lunches and match tickets, exemplifies the positive impact of these collaborations.

Armed Forces Community HQ CIC

Company Number: 11246325

Armed Forces Community HQ (AFCHQ) was established in November 2018 in Wigan. Our main objective is to support all members of the Armed Forces community to: unite, becoming socially included; inspire, reducing stigma and improving access for those that need help and; achieve better life chances. Our approach is trauma-informed and delivered by people with lived experience; over 80% of our dedicated team of staff and volunteers are members of the Armed Forces community. Designing and developing interventions in co-production with our service users is paramount to the success in supporting them to live well. Our geographical footprint has expanded into Greater Manchester and across the wider North West

Contact Information

http://armedforceshq.org.uk/
info@armedforceshq.org.uk
Molyneux House
School Lane
Wigan
WN1 3SE
01942 821293

Support Offered

Our work spans health & wellbeing, housing & homelessness, skills & employment, relationships & family support, welfare & debt, substance use & addictions, justice system, and social inclusion.

Armed Forces Education Trust

Charity Number: 1167682

The Armed Forces Education Trust is a charity working for children and young adults whose education has been compromised or put at risk as a result of parents’ past or current service in our Armed Forces. The grants we give make a difference to young lives, helping improve their educational opportunities or supporting special skills or talents.

Contact Information

http://armedforceseducation.org/
admin@armedforceseducation.org
PO Box 684
Farnham
GU9 1LP

Support Offered

The Armed Forces Education Trust target young people under the age of 25 who are, or were, dependents of serving members of the UK armed forces, who would not achieve their educational potential without extra financial support. We support those who fit these criteria who can demonstrate that they have been impacted or disadvantaged, or have financial difficulties, as a consequence of the service of the relative on whom they depend.

Army Benevolent Fund

Charity Number: 1146420
Scottish Charity Number: SC039189

The Army Benevolent Fund is the Army’s national charity, here for soldiers, past and present, and their families for life.

We stand at the forefront of support for the Army family, last year supporting 65,000 people in 48 countries around the world. As one of the largest funders in the sector, we award grants to individuals and families, and fund leading organisations that support soldiers, former soldiers, and their families. When we hear of a person or family in need, we aim to respond within 48 hours.

Contact Information

http://www.armybenevolentfund.org
info@armybenevolentfund.org
Mountbarrow House
6-20 Elizabeth Street
London
SW1W 9RB
0207 901 8900

Support Offered

Financial assistance to relieve hardship:

Grants for living costs, emergency needs, debt relief

Provision of annuities and Educational Bursaries

Care home fees

Home adaptations

Furnishing and equipment

Mobility assistance

Funding Holiday breaks

Army Central Fund

Charity Number: 245700

The British Army’s own grant-making fund which supports charities and projects that benefit serving Army personnel and their families, both Regular and Reserve. The Fund makes annual grants to Army welfare funds, to the Army Families Federation and to the Army Sport Control Board. One-off awards are also made to national charities that support the Army community and to Army and Joint units for welfare projects and activities. Each application is considered on its merits.

Contact Information

https://www.armycentralfund.org.uk
grants@armycentralfund.org.uk
Secretary
The Army Central Fund
Floor 1 | Zone 6, Ramillies Building,Marlborough Lines, Monxton Road
SP11 8HJ

Support Offered

Charities seeking a grant should contact the Secretary for advice and for an application form. Recent projects have included contributions to; NSPCC Families Centres in Catterick and Tidworth, SSAFA Norton House, Home-Start UK local schemes, CESSAC café refurbishments, RBLI Families Lifeworks courses and the Combat Stress helpline. The fund’s annual report is published on the Charity Commission website and gives further details of grants awarded.

Recent unit projects supported, many in conjunction with the Nuffield Trust and other Service charities, include; improvements to community facilities in Wattisham, Naples, Brunei, Kineton, Bramcote and Tern Hill, digitisation of SSVC cinemas, grants for all-weather sports pitches at Abingdon and South Cerney and a contribution to the new parachuting aircraft in Cyprus. Grants have also been made to welfare projects for troops in Poland, Estonia and for families in the Falkland Islands and Kenya. Unit staff, garrisons and sports association secretaries should read Army Command Standing Order 3206 for advice and the instructions on submitting applications.

The Army Central Fund works closely with ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is keen to retain links to other COBSEO member charities and to Regimental and Corps Associations in order to optimise the effectiveness of all grants awarded.

Army Dependants’ Trust

Charity Number: 1064522

The Army Dependants’ Trust is a charity which provides discretionary cash awards to dependants of officers & soldiers who die in service, from whatever cause, on or off duty.

Contact Information

office@armydependantstrust.org
Building 183
Trenchard Lines
Upavon,Pewsey
SN9 6BE

Support Offered

For a small annual donation the Trust relieves financial hardship for the member’s family in the immediate period following their loss. The Trust also supports ABF – The Soldier’s Charity, in its work with dependants. All members of the Army – Regular, Reserve and MPGS – are eligible to be members. This includes FTRS and NRPS personnel.

Citizens Advice Solent East

Charity Number: 1039776

Citizens Advice Portsmouth has recently merged with Havant and Gosport branches to become Citizens Advice Solent East (CASE). We are a local charity dedicated to providing free, confidential, and impartial advice to residents of Portsmouth, Havant and Gosport. Our mission is to empower individuals by helping them navigate and overcome a wide variety of challenges, including debt, housing, benefits, employment, and consumer rights. We are part of the larger Citizens Advice network, committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination, and influencing social policy for positive change. We collaborate with local governments and other organisations to address the root causes of issues and enhance the overall well-being of our community. For 85 years, we have offered guidance to help people overcome their challenges and advocated on major issues when their voices need to be heard, working to create a fairer and more just society for everyone.

Contact Information

https://casolenteast.org.uk/
contactus@casolenteast.org.uk
Unit 2-3
Ark Royal House
Winston Churchill Avenue
PO1 2GF

Support Offered

Services offered include:

• Access to Justice – a service to help people challenge housing decisions and benefits appeals.
• Armed Forces Covenant – providing broad help and support to veterans, serving members of the armed forces and their families.
• Generalist advice – a limited service provided by volunteers offering a face to face drop in, email or phone based general advice and signposting.
• Help to Claim – a support service focussing on benefits with help and ongoing support to make a claim for Universal Credit.
• Home & Well – a referral only service for clients who have recently been discharged from hospital or at risk of hospitalisation, to ensure vulnerable clients can remain safe and well in their home. Funded by energy and utility companies. Help with financial, employment, benefits, and housing concerns.
• Macmillan – for those affected by cancer, offering help, advice and support with benefits, money matters, debts, pensions, insurance, employment, housing, charitable grants and more.
• Money and Pensions Service – a service providing specialist debt advice and casework for people seeking to resolve their known debt issues and formal / informal debt solutions.
• Work Out Your Money – focusing on money management, to help improve knowledge, skills, and confidence with budgeting, borrowing and debt.
• Older Persons Service – offering additional assistance to over 65s with debt, benefits, consumer, employment, housing and more.
• SAIAS – a social enterprise specialist immigration advice service offering low cost or free immigration advice and support.

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Our Executive Members

By @Cobseo 57 years ago

Afghanistan support

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