SSAFA named as Easy Resettlement Charity Partner of the Year 2018

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity provides lifelong support to our Armed Forces, veterans and their families in times of need. We began our work in 1885, making us the oldest tri-service, military charity running in the UK.

This year alone, our staff and teams of volunteers have helped over 67,000 people – from World War Two veterans to those involved in more recent conflicts and their families.

We have been serving the Armed Forces community for over 130 years. This year, SSAFA has been announced as the Easy Resettlement Charity Partner of the Year – and it’s an obvious match.

The journey back to ‘Civvy Street’ can be a difficult time for some veterans. Employment, living arrangements, financial stability and personal lifestyles all alter at the same time whilst you and your family are moving away from familiar support networks and starting to acclimatise to a new life. This is where SSAFA can help.

Something that has become clear over the years of our Forces support is that everyone faces different challenges, so SSAFA tailors support services to meet the needs of today’s serving community, whenever they are needed.

We provide practical, emotional and financial support to serving families. Whether you need advice on dealing with a complicated situation, someone to talk to if a loved one is deployed or support stepping back into civilian life – SSAFA is there for the Armed Forces family every step of the way.

Advancing
into civilian life

When servicemen and women leave the military, SSAFA can smooth the transition onto Civvy Street which includes advice on debt management, rent, mortgages and bills and includes information on what properties are available including private renting, council housing and the Help to Buy scheme.

SSAFA provides impartial housing advice to veterans and their dependants that have left the Armed Forces. Our Housing Advisors can offer guidance on homelessness, housing benefits, accessing social housing, tenants’ rights, mortgage arrears, repossession and eviction.

SSAFA looks into each individual’s situation and explains the options available to them and can then signpost them to other organisations that might be able to help.

Moving forwards, the dedicated casework team handles all issues and problems that may be encountered by the Armed Forces community. Tailored support is always our core objective, however this may look, we partner with other organisations to ensure that we have the best chance of being able to make a real difference.

Discharged on medical grounds

SSAFA Mentoring supports individuals being discharged from the Armed Forces on the grounds of being wounded, injured or sick to help their transition out of the Services.

In addition, SSAFA Mentoring is now piloting the provision of support to service leavers and family members, where a need for mentoring has been identified.

If you are currently serving and would like to get in touch with SSAFA Mentoring, speak to your Medical Officer or if you are a veteran contact your career transition partner.

Not sure where to turn for help and guidance?

SSAFA runs a free and confidential telephone helpline and email service for the Armed Forces community which, for those still currently serving, operates independently from the chain of command.

The team are here to listen without judgement and can give factual information and signpost ways forward to help.

Last year, Forcesline received over 25,000 calls, emails and online enquires from the military community requesting help.

If you or someone you know needs support – call 0800 731 4880.

To donate to SSAFA’s support of the Armed Forces community before, during and after the transition period, head to www.ssafa.org.uk/give