The Armed Forces community in Plymouth is one of the largest in the United Kingdom, with serving personnel and families spread across the city and surrounding areas. To ensure that support remains accessible, relevant and embedded within the community, SSAFA has established the Plymouth Serving Community Team (SCT).
Serving Community Teams are volunteer-led teams that provide emotional, practical and financial support to serving personnel, reservists and their families. Working independently of the chain of command, SCTs offer confidential support whilst also helping to strengthen community connections and reduce isolation.
The Plymouth SCT is now actively operating across the city and able to support personnel and families connected to HM Naval Base Devonport, HMS Drake, HMS Raleigh, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group, 42 Commando and other military establishments within the region.
Support Available
Life in the Armed Forces can bring unique challenges for serving personnel and families. Deployments, frequent relocations, operational commitments and separation from wider support networks can all place additional pressures on family life.
The Plymouth SCT is able to provide:
- Emotional support through trained volunteers.
- Practical assistance and signposting to specialist organisations.
- Community activities that promote wellbeing and connection.
- Individual welfare grants for eligible serving personnel and families.
- Community grants that benefit the wider serving community.
- Support that is confidential, local and independent of the military chain of command.
Our volunteers work alongside existing welfare providers and community organisations, helping individuals and families access the right support at the right time.
Building Community Connections
A key focus of the Serving Community Team is preventing isolation and strengthening community resilience.
Through Community Connection Champions, the team aims to create opportunities for serving personnel and families to meet, build friendships and establish local support networks. Whether through community events, family activities, coffee mornings or collaborative projects, these initiatives help foster a sense of belonging within the Armed Forces community.
The team also recognises that strong communities are built through partnership working and is keen to collaborate with organisations already supporting military personnel and their families across Plymouth.
Volunteer Opportunities
The success of the Plymouth SCT relies upon volunteers from both military and civilian backgrounds who share a desire to support the Armed Forces community.
Volunteer opportunities include:
- Community Volunteers
- Community Connection Champions
- Fundraising Volunteers
- Event Support Volunteers
Volunteers receive training and ongoing support whilst contributing to meaningful projects that directly benefit serving personnel and their families.
Working Together
The Plymouth Serving Community Team is committed to developing strong relationships with charities, statutory organisations, community groups and local stakeholders.
We recognise that no single organisation can meet every need, and effective support comes through partnership, collaboration and shared knowledge. We are therefore keen to engage with organisations already working within the military, welfare, health, education and community sectors.
Whether through referrals, joint events, awareness campaigns or community initiatives, we welcome opportunities to work together to improve outcomes for serving personnel and their families.
To learn more about the Plymouth Serving Community Team, discuss partnership opportunities or enquire about volunteering, please contact:
Plymouth Serving Community Team
Email: plymouth.sct@ssafa.org.uk
Website: www.ssafa.org.uk/scts
Together, we can ensure that serving personnel and their families across Plymouth have access to the support, connections and opportunities they need to thrive.
