Welfare & Signposting

At times we all find it a little difficult to put pride aside and seek help. We hope that if you need help, advice or simply finding ways to engage with services to avoid isolation and lonliness for yourself and others, this section helps to guide you directly to the services needed. If you would like some direct guidance, please feel free to contact the welfare team.

If you feel that you would like to seek help directly as a veteran or family member of a veteran, there are a number of options on this page that hopefully guide you in the right direction. You can also download the Forces Connect App to your smart phone from your app store which will give you quick access to information. It is available for apple and android operating systems. In this section you will also find links to organisations that can potentially provide assistance for all types of issues and needs. We will endeavour to keep this updated and if you feel there is a service that is not listed and should be please get in touch.

Throughout the United Kingdom there are a steadily increasing number of drop-in centres where any member of the Armed Forces family can visit, including the merchant navy and fishing fleet and their families, it may be for help and advice, or simply to relax over a cuppa with like-minded people. All drop-ins extend a warm welcome with refreshments, some offer general welfare support, such as financial and employment advice, some have activities to promote well being and some provide access to mental health support. This takes place routinely under one roof, at the same time and in an informal environment. ASDIC aims to link all these drop-ins together so they can offer each other mutual support and make them more accessible to those seeking help.
Drop-ins vary in how they operate and no two are exactly the same, some are very small, some more like a one-stop-shop, but all serve the same overall purpose of helping the ex-military community in need. ASDIC drop-ins are open at least once a month and will be supported by representatives of at least two established organisations (known as delivery partners), such as SSAFA, the Royal British Legion or other recognised service charities, and depending on their size and locality they will work alongside a selection of health and welfare organisations such as the NHS, Citizens’ Advice Bureau, legal, financial or local council services,. There are over 80 drop-ins operating in UK at present and the number joining ASDIC is steadily increasing. for more information on your nearest drop in centre please visit the ASDIC website.

The first call for help takes courage. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or wellbeing, expert help is available from Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.

If you’re due to leave the Armed Forces, just left the Armed Forces or left many years ago, Op COURAGE is here to help. You will be able to speak to people who:

•  understand the Armed Forces and military life
•  are either from the Armed Forces community or highly experienced in working with Serving personnel, Reservists, Veterans and their families
•  will work with you to make sure you get the right type of specialist care, support, and treatment.

The service can be contacted directly by yourself or you can ask your GP, a charity or someone else, such as a family member or friend, to do this on your behalf.

What will happen when you contact Op COURAGE?

To make sure you get the right care and support, you will first have an assessment by someone who understands the specific needs of the Armed Forces community.

The service offers a range of treatment, which includes:

• working with Defence Medical Services to make sure you get mental health care and support as you transition from the military to civilian life

• recognising the early signs of mental health problems and providing care and treatment for this

• therapeutic treatment for more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma

• intensive emergency care and treatment if you’re in a crisis

• helping you to access other NHS services if needed, such as psychological therapies (IAPT) services and eating disorder services

• working with charities and local organisations to support you with your wider health and wellbeing needs, such as housing, relationships, finances, employment, drug and alcohol misuse and social support.

For more information, visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/opcourage

Veterans’ Gateway ……………. Information and support for veterans and their families

We are the first point of contact for you and your loved ones. Contact us 24/7 for help across housing, mental wellbeing, finances and more. You can contact our expert partners including Combat Stress, SSAFA and Poppy Scotland via our Self help section. And we can also refer you directly to our Referral Partners. Get in touch with our friendly helpline team by phone, chat, text and email. via our website

During these difficult financial times , some local veterans and their families may be struggling to make ends meet. The LiVeS team are able to provide access to the Littlehampton food bank for veterans and their families if there is a need. All enquiries are treated as confidential so please get in touch and we will arrange a voucher as well as look at ways to help you going forward. Visit their website  to get more information directly from the local food bank.

Help yourself…… Forces Connect have made it quick and easy for you to view and access services at the touch of a button. Simply download the app on your phone using the links provided above the FC  logo and you will be on your way to self signposting.

SSAFA are always on hand to offer means tested support. Once contacted you will have a case worker assigned and help will be sought after, if your need is urgent please contact the LiVeS welfare team and we will try to assist you in the short term with a view to getting a long term solution in place.

The Poppy Factory supports veterans with health conditions on their journey into employment, helping them overcome any barriers.

Four out of five of the veterans we work with report a mental health condition. Whatever their situation, and whatever they are going through, our employment team is on hand to offer one-to-one support.

Our service is veteran-centred and helps ex-Forces job seekers of all ages. The people we support move into a diverse range of jobs across many different sectors, from logistics and construction to the charity sector and health care.

The Poppy Factory has been supporting veterans with health conditions for 100 years. We continue to stand by them on their journey into employment and beyond.

To register for support or for information about our employment service, please visit https://www.poppyfactory.org/are-you-looking-for-work/

The military family is not just about those serving and veterans, families of those that serve and served are also an integral part of the military community. The Poppy factory also support the families of veterans assisting them getting back into employment.  To register for assistance go to the families section of the poppy factory website at www.poppyfactory.org/families . You can also call or email them via the information on their poster.

Single Point of Contact(SPOC)

Recently the welfare team were made aware of this service  that is available to individuals and is accessible via self referral.

Lightning Reach is a financial support portal which enables access to a range of personalised support (e.g. grants, benefits, help with their bills) – all in one place.

Founded during the pandemic, they aim to empower anyone to access support to build financial resilience and wellbeing.

The platform can be used by a range of organisations to streamline or enhance the support they offer to individuals in (or at risk of) financially vulnerable circumstances.

If you feel you need some financial assistance, then please apply for assistance byclicking here.

We have built a strong working partnership with Arun District Council.

They have armed forces champions within key departments who link in with local support groups.

For homelessness enquiries, visit the Civic Centre, Littlehampton or Bognor Regis Town Hall to be connected to a member of the housing options team. Information can also be found on our homeless or at risk of page.

If you have an armed forces enquiry, please email armedforces@arun.gov.uk Their armed forces champion can then help you to access the correct department.

Council tel no 01903 737 500

The Not Forgotten transforms the lives of veterans and serving military personnel living with injury, illness or isolation by bringing people together, lifting spirits and restoring dignity and confidence.

We run a varied year-round programme of social events, day outings, respite and challenge breaks around the UK and aboard, and prestige royal events at Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace. These events improve physical and mental health, reduce isolation and loneliness, build self-esteem and re-establish the camaraderie and peer support for those who desperately miss that sense of belonging.

Enabling beneficiaries and their families to live a happier, more sociable and more confident life.

For more information on how to access our events and become part of our organisation click HERE