Veterans’ gateway
The first point of contact for veterans seeking support.
Veterans’ Gateway puts veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the information, advice and support they need – from healthcare and housing to employability, finances, personal relationships and more.
Phone
0808 802 1212
Website
www.veteransgateway.org.ukHelp for Heroes – hidden wounds service
Help for Heroes’ Hidden Wounds Service provides free and confidential support to Ex-Service Personnel, their families and the families of those still serving.
Phone
0300 303 9888
Website
www.helpforheroes.org.ukArmed forces healthcare
How the NHS can help if you’re in military service or a veteran.
Website
www.nhs.ukNHS – Managing disability as a veteran
Find out about support options if you’re a veteran managing a disability or considering your care needs.
Website
Managing disability as a veteran – GOV.UKCombat stress
Combat Stress are the UK’s leading charity for veteran’ s mental health.
For a century we’ve been helping former servicemen and women deal with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. Today we provide specialist treatment and support for veterans from every service and conflict to give them hope and a future.
Phone
0800 138 1619
Website
www.combatstress.org.uk
Email
helpline@combatstress.org.ukSSAFA
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association provide lifelong support to those who are serving or have served in the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines or the Royal Air Force, and to their families.
Founded in 1885, they are extremely proud of their long-standing heritage and of all the work they do with inspiring people from Gloucestershire, across the UK and around the world.
Phone
0800 260 6780
Website
www.ssafa.org.ukBlesma
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, is an Armed Forces charity dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or sight.
They support these men and women in their communities throughout the UK.
Phone
020 8590 1124
Website
blesma.org
Email
info@blesma.orgRAFA
The RAF Association is committed to supporting the RAF Family, whether currently serving, or former-serving, in a wide range of ways, delivering help and support where it is needed.
Phone
0800 018 2361
Website
www.rafa.org.ukRoyal British Legion – Veterans’ medical funds
The Royal British Legion’s Veterans’ Medical Funds programme provides support for veterans with hearing loss and serious physical injury.
Phone
0808 802 8080
Website
www.britishlegion.org.ukContact
Contact is a group of charities working with the NHS and the MOD. They want to make it simpler for the military community to find support with their mental wellbeing.
Website
www.contactarmedforces.co.ukOp COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families.
Website
Mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists – NHSOp PROSPER
Op PROSPER empower veterans and their families the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, enabling them to thrive in society by ensuring equal access to employment opportunities and supporting them into sustainable, valuable careers.
Website
Op PROSPER | Forces Employment CharityOp FORTITUDE
Op FORTITUDE is the pathway for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness into supported housing or to keep them in their current home.
Website
Op FORTITUDE- Riverside Care and SupportOp NOVA: Supporting Veterans in the Justice System
Op NOVA provides support for veterans who are in contact with the justice system, enabling them to access the services they need.
Website
www.forcesemployment.org.uk/programmes/op-novaBlind veterans UK
Blind Veterans UK helps vision-impaired ex-Servicemen and women to rebuild their lives after sight loss.
Website
Blind Veterans UK, Rebuilding lives after sight loss – Blind Veterans UKVeterans Welfare Service
The Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) provides professional help and advice to veterans, their families and dependants, as well as those supporting veterans.
Website
Veterans Welfare Service – GOV.UKArmed forces veteran friendly accredited GP surgery
The veteran friendly practices accreditation scheme is run by the Royal College of General Practitioners in partnership with NHS England.
The scheme helps practices to identify, understand and support veterans and, where appropriate, refer them to specialist healthcare services designed especially for them.
To find out more about the Veteran Friendly Practices accreditation scheme visit: www.rcgp.org.uk/veterans
Out of hours support
- Samaritans freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org – to access confidential emotional support for feelings of distress, despair or suicide thoughts.
- Big White Wall – a safe online service providing access to millions with anxiety, depression and other common mental health issues. Free for serving personnel, veterans, family members and carers.
- Shout – a crisis text support service for people in the military community who are struggling and need immediate support to get through a crisis. Text CONTACT to 85258.
- Forces line telephone helpline: 0800 7314880 (Monday – Friday 10:30 – 19:30) or email. For serving personnel, former members of the Armed Forces and their families.
- NHS 111 – to access medical help fast but when it’s not a 999 emergency, telephone 111 (available 24 hours). To access information from the NHS on conditions, treatments, local services and healthy living following the link to NHS Choices.
- Veterans UK – to seek information on claiming AFCS, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Medical Discharges and Pension Forecast Requests.
Partners in Health are proud to be accredited as an Armed forces veteran friendly practice by the Royal College of GPs.
