The sixth Armed Forces Covenant annual report has been presented to parliament, showing good progress on providing support for the Armed Forces Community.
The Covenant is a promise from the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
Read moreA landmark report from Ulster University on veterans’ services in Northern Ireland has called for increased support for veterans and their families.
This is the second in a series of reports from the Northern Ireland Veterans Health and Wellbeing Study (NIVHWS) from Ulster University, which received £750,000 funding over four years from the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT).
The latest report outlines the findings of in-depth interviews with 20 service providers and 13 veteran-led focus groups, to establish more information about the current needs of this group and to help predict their future needs.
Read moreFollow this link to all the latest news from the RAF Families Federation.
Read moreChristmas came early on Monday, when the doors of 10 Downing Street were opened for a special Children’s Party.
Joining the festive celebrations were two military families who adopted through SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
Attendees included an Army veteran and his partner and a RAF family. Both couples adopted two siblings, a boy and a girl in 2014 and have continued to be supported by SSAFA’s Post-Adoption Support service. The children are aged 7, 8, 9 and 10 years old.
Read moreWith Christmas just around the corner, disabled veterans at The Royal Star & Garter Homes welcomed babies and toddlers to a fun-filled, Christmas themed multi-sensory class held at the Charity’s Solihull Home. Residents were invited to join in the festive fun alongside the youngsters. The class was run by Hartbeeps, as part of an ongoing partnership between the Solihull Home and the local group to help bring generations together.
Read moreFollow this link to all the latest news from the RAF Families Federation.
Read moreThe Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund has awarded a grant of £80,000 in September 2017 toward SSAFA’s Casework service and other services that alleviate need, suffering and distress.
Casework sits at the heart of SSAFA’s work and provides personalised, holistic support to those currently serving, reserves, ex-service men and women, and their families. In recent years their Casework service has seen increasing numbers of working age beneficiaries requiring help. These beneficiaries have complex needs, including financial hardship, mental wellbeing issues, inadequate housing and lack of employment.
Read moreOver 150 bereaved Forces children were given a welcome surprise this weekend as X Factor stars, Holly Tandy and Leon Mallett joined them at the annual Scotty’s Little Soldiers Christmas Party.
The singers, who were part of this year’s competition, were joined by Britain’s Got Talent Magician and Scotty’s Little Soldiers ambassador Lance Corporal Richard Jones at a magical event exclusively for children who have lost a parent while serving in the Armed Forces.
Members gathered with their families at the PGL adventure centre in Caythorpe, Grantham on Saturday (2nd) for a day of game show themed fun.
Read moreThe Army Families Federation (AFF) is appealing to all Army families to take their latest survey and say whether they feel the package offered to them eases the impact that Service life can have. The charity is exploring various elements of the current package, or ‘Offer’ available to families, and how they translate to Army family life. This includes how aware families are of policies such as subsidised military housing, educational allowances, and healthcare policies such as support with assisted conception.
Read moreCombat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health, is sharing its tops tips to help former servicemen and women cope with the Christmas and New Year period.
Christmas is a time for celebration, yet it can be difficult for veterans with mental health problems. Some may feel isolated, lonely or depressed, while others can feel overwhelmed by large gatherings of family and friends, or feel they don’t have time for themselves.
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Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here
