Member Directory

Armed Forces’ Christian Union

Charity Number: 249636

The Armed Forces Christian Union (AFCU) exists to enable, equip and encourage Christian members of the Armed Forces through discipleship, fellowship and prayer.
AFCU is a home for military Christians.

We know that life in the Armed Forces often means frequent moves, new units, and deployments to distant lands. We therefore know that at times it can feel like you don’t have a home, and that, as a result, you feel isolated and alone.

But you do have a home, the AFCU. We are much more than just an organisation; we are a welcoming family, a place to connect and share genuine fellowship with those who truly understand the unique military journey. United by our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we are here to support one another through every season of life.

Contact Information

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

Support Offered

Discipleship – A cornerstone of our AFCU family.
Just as we nourish our bodies, our spirits also need consistent, intentional feeding to grow strong and resilient. Discipleship is about that journey of spiritual growth – becoming more like Jesus each day, rooted deeply in His Word and living out His love in the world.

Fellowship – Central to life in the AFCU family is the opportunity to build strong bonds.

It’s more than just gathering; it’s about sharing life, encouraging one another, praying together, and knowing you’re deeply connected to others who walk a similar path of faith, especially within the unique context of military life.

Prayer – The very foundation of all that the AFCU does.
It’s not just a practice; it’s our passion, underpinning every connection and every fellowship moment. Prayer is how AFCU began. For 175 years, since 1851, we’ve been faithfully praying for the military, and we’ve been blessed to witness countless answers to those prayers.

Please do visit our website – www.afcu.org.uk – to find out more about the AFCU and if you have any questions, please do email us at: office@afcu.org.uk

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.

Army Families Federation

Charity Number: 1176393
Scottish Charity Number: SC048282

AFF is the voice of the Army personnel and family. It empowers and acts as an advocate and an independent expert Witness to promote a quality of like which reflects the Armed Forces Covenant.

Contact Information

http://www.aff.org.uk
contact@aff.org.uk
IDL 414, Floor 1, Zone 6
Ramillies Buildings Marlborough Lines
Monxton Road ,Andover
SP11 8HJ
01264 382326

Support Offered

Highlights problems to chain of command and service providers.

Sign-posting service for assistance of every kind.

Association of Service Drop-In Centres (ASDIC)

Charity Number: 1190952
Company Number: 12727846

We are the Association of Service Drop-In Centres, better known as ASDIC. We represent, advise and unite service drop-in centres across the UK, working together to ensure veterans and their families receive the comradeship and support they need in their local community.

Contact Information

http://www.asdic.org.uk
admin@asdic.org.uk
c/o RBLI Village
Hall Road
Aylesford
ME20 7NL

Support Offered

When a Drop-In Centre becomes a member of ASDIC, they join a supportive network that spans the UK with every member working towards the same goal – to improve support for veterans in the places they call home. We believe together is stronger, so as your Association we encourage collaboration and create opportunities to exchange ideas and overcome shared challenges as a community. Your free membership also includes:
Advocacy: we make sure your voice is represented at all levels of the veterans’ welfare system
Guidance: we offer advice on governance, share best practice on all aspects of Drop-In operations, and offer a Code of Conduct to support our members
Freedom: we do not over-regulate or enforce restrictive practices so you can best serve the unique challenges within your local community
Online support: you’ll have access to the online Community Hub, where you can connect with other members, and get real-time updates on available services and assistance
Fast service verification: you’ll have exclusive access to VetCheck to verify Drop-In users’ service records within hours, created by ASDIC in partnership with Veterans UK
Funding guidance: we signpost funding opportunities and offer advice on applications
Training: we create and signpost training and development opportunities
Events: from regional workshops to national conferences

Association of Wrens

Charity Number: 257040

The Association of Wrens and Women of the Royal Naval Services exists to bind together in practical friendship women of the Royal Naval Services, past and present, by sharing achievements, traditions and heritage.

Contact Information

http://www.wrens.org.uk
office@wrens.org.uk
Building 1/87
Scott Road
HM Naval Base,Portsmouth
PO1 3LU
02392 725141

Support Offered

Frequent meetings / reunions held throughout UK. Representation at military parades / commemorative events, throughout UK

In-house magazine ‘The Wren’ posted to all members.

Opportunity to attend reunions, meet locally, find former colleagues.
Contact with HM Ships / RN establishments.

Referrals to WRNS Benevolent Trust.

Beacon Counselling Trust

Charity Number: 1140011

Beacon Counselling Trust (BCT) is a North West England based education, treatment and support charity, which employs fully qualified therapists and practitioners who have extensive experience working in the area of mild to moderate mental health to support individuals on our Merseyside based suicide bereavement programme and our National Armed Forces Gambling Support Network programme.

Beacon Counselling Trust was awarded charitable status in 2010.

BCT works in a strictly confidential manner and adheres to strict professional guidelines that include a Code of Ethics as set out by the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapy (BACP). All our therapists and practitioners hold enhanced DBS certificates.

Contact Information

http://beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk/
support@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk
263 Townsend Land
Clubmoor
L13 9DG
0151 226 0696

Support Offered

Beacon Counselling Trust (BCT) is a North West based mental health charity which was established in 2010 and offers a range of mild to moderate community-based mental health support programmes. BCT is one of the leading providers of gambling-related harms education and support within the UK, and leads the Armed Forces Gambling Support Network (AFGSN) UK wide programme.

A primary focus of the AFGSN is the ‘Battling the Odds’ programme, which is a tailored armed forces educational offer and a first aid approach in tackling gambling related harms. Members of the armed forces community and those who provide support can access either of the following training offers for free, which includes:

· Battling the Odds: Bet You Can Help Now! A 90-minute introductory session delivered online providing insight into gambling-related harms and how the Armed Forces Community are impacted.

· Battling the Odds: Bet You Can Help Level Two Award. Accredited by RSPH and Ofqual regulated, this full day programme delves deeper into the issue of gambling related harms through group discussion and exercises designed to increase confidence in supporting those who require support through the successful completion of a short assessment.

An integral aspect of the AFGSN is the provision of specialist treatment and support concerning gambling related harms. The AFGSN provides free and confidential specialist treatment and support for any member of the armed forces and veterans community
experiencing, or at risk of, gambling-related harms. This can be for the gambler themselves, or those affected by someone else’s gambling.

Services include:
· Gambling harms education and training
· 1-2-1 therapeutic support
· Recovery and aftercare provision
· Lived Experience Alliance
· Onward referral to appropriate support

You can reach us via 0151 226 0696 or by email at support@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk
or our website – https://beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk/armed-forces-community-programme/

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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