Veterans

There is lots of support available through different organisations for veterans, which covers a range of issues including wellbeing and financial advice.

SSAFA The Armed Forces Charity provides support for regular and reserves in:

• Royal Navy
• Royal Marines
• British Army
• Royal Air Force
• anyone who has completed National Service.

They and their families are all entitled to lifelong support from SSAFA, no matter how long they have served.

How they help

SSAFA helps the armed forces community in several different ways, though their focus is on providing direct support to individuals in need of:

• physical or emotional care.

They also provide support for:

• addiction
• relationship breakdown
• debt
• homelessness
• post-traumatic stress
• depression and disability

these are all issues that can affect members of the Armed Forces community.

SSAFA works in partnership with other military charities and specialist organisations to ensure that those who turn to them for help get the support they need.

Contact details for SSAFA:

• Telephone: 020 4566 9126 Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm (Southeast Regional Hub)
• Website: ssafa.org.uk
• Forces line: 0800 731 4880

East Sussex Veterans Hub helps with:

• Supporting veterans who are experiencing PTSD and mental ill-health, including wellbeing and coping
• Provide or support arrangement of financial and material support
• Advice and support applications for war pensions, compensation, Personal Independence Payments, and so on
• Support for veteran ex-offenders or those involved in the criminal justice system
• Advice on family support
• Provide a safe space to engage in social activities. 

Contact details:

• East Sussex Veterans Hub (ESVH) 99/100 Group
  c/o ESRA
  5 Harold Place
  Hastings
  TN34 1JA
  
• Telephone: 07884 263 824
• Email: esvh99100@btinternet.com

You can also apply for assistance and advice through the British Legion, or you can call them on 0808 802 8080.

Veterans can access services through the Veterans Gateway. This is an online service and telephone resource commissioned by the Ministry of Defence. It is delivered by a group of services headed by The Royal British Legion.

The Samaritans offer lots of helpful resources, they are continuing to develop these to ensure they support serving personnel in the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families as best they can. Visit the Samaritans website to find out more.

The NHS also offer mental health services that are specifically aimed at veterans, you can access more information on these services on the NHS website.

Blind Veterans UK also offer dedicated support to help veterans to rebuild their lives after sight loss. Find out more on the Blind Veterans website.