Providing RAF Regiment Veterans Support. We now live in a world where many of us are electronically connected via email and social media and benefit from near-instant communication, but we are aware too that for many there is a very real need for old-fashioned face-to-face getting together. In the last few years there has been a growth in the number of veterans’ breakfast clubs and other gatherings aimed at helping to meet that need, to be in a place where we speak the same language, share the same experiences, and inevitably share the same problems.
It is not possible through these pages to bring that same veteran to veteran personal contact but we are here to help, by pointing you in the right direction. As a first point of contact, I would urge anyone reading this if you are not already a member of the RAF Regiment Association, and you are serving, have served, or are a dependant, then get in touch with your local branch and connect with some like-minded people who may be able to offer help and advice. The Regiment Association isn’t in itself a welfare organization but we have within our numbers those who can help by pointing you in the right direction.
The charities that we provide links to are primarily, but not exclusively, service-related, and have years of experience in helping veterans in need. Whatever the need is, whatever problems you are facing, someone is likely to have been there before, and someone will have the resources to help you cope. Whatever you do, don’t just remain silent; start to ask around, be persistent, knock on doors, send emails, ring and ring again because somebody somewhere is ready and willing to help.
For organizations who can help click on the links below or scroll down the page:
Combat Stress
Cruse
RAFA
RAF Benevolent Fund
Royal British Legion
Relate
Samaritans
SSAFA
Stoll
Togetherall
Veterans Gateway
RFEA Families Employment Programme
Combat Stress
COMBAT STRESS, THE UK’S LEADING CHARITY FOR VETERANS’ MENTAL HEALTH
Helps former servicemen and women deal with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression.
Provides specialist treatment and support for veterans from every service and conflict, focusing on those with complex mental health issues related to their military service
Call: 0800 138 1619 Text: 07537 173683 email: helpline@combatstress.org.uk
Self-Help Guides: self-help.combatstress.org.uk
Cruse
Helping people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support, information and campaigning
Call: 0808 808 1677
See website https://www.cruse.org.uk/ for telephone line hours and for online chat
Help for Heroes
Every day, men and women have to leave their career in the Armed Forces as a result of physical or psychological wounds; their lives changed forever.
Help for Heroes helps them, and those still serving, to recover and get on with their lives, giving physical, psychological, financial and welfare support for as long as they need it. They also support the families of wounded veterans, because they too can be affected by their loved one’s wounds.
Call: 0300 303 9888
Website: https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/
RAFA
For over 90 years, the RAF Association have championed a simple belief – that no member of the RAF community should ever be left without the help that they need. Our dedicated helpline receives nearly 40,000 enquiries during an average year, and we support more than 85,000 beneficiaries through our sector-leading welfare service. Our welfare team is always on hand to help members of our community, providing a wide range of expert support, tailored to individual needs.
Call: 0800 018 2361
Website: https://rafa.org.uk/
RAF Benevolent Fund
The RAF Benevolent Fund provide a range of support to RAF veterans and serving personnel and their families which includes financial help, support with housing, benefits advice and mental wellbeing support.
Call: 0300 102 1919
Email: mail@rafbf.org.uk
Website: https://www.rafbf.org/
Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion is here to help members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families.
We support serving and ex-serving personnel all year round, every day of the week.
Our support starts after one day of service and continues through life, long after service is over.
Call: 0808 802 8080
See website https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/ for online chat
Relate
Relate offers counselling services for every type of relationship nationwide. We provide advice on marriage, LGBT issues, divorce and parenting.
The RAFBF will pay for up to 6 sessions for serving personnel. To find your nearest Relate centre, or to find out more about the services on offer, visit the website https://www.relate.org.uk/.
Call: 0300 003 2324
Email: appointments.ntc@relate.org.uk
Website: https://www.relate.org.uk/
Samaritans
Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can get in touch about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how large or small the issue feels. We’re here to listen, no judgement, no pressure, and help you work through what’s on your mind. We’ll never tell you what to do.
Call: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
SSAFA
Providing support: to serving personnel; during the transition from service to civilian life; for veterans. Help is available with welfare and benefits, disability support and mental wellbeing
Call: 0800 260 6767
See website https://www.ssafa.org.uk/ for online chat
Stoll
Stoll are the leading provider of supported housing to vulnerable veterans.
We provide affordable, high-quality housing and support services to enable vulnerable and disabled veterans to lead fulfilling, independent lives.
Call: 020 7385 2110
See website https://www.stoll.org.uk/ for online help and advice
Togetherall (formerly Big White Wall)
Togetherall is a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Millions of people in the UK have access via their participating employer, university, college, NHS provider or local council. All armed forces personnel, veterans and their families (16+) also have free access.
See website https://togetherall.com/en-gb/ to access help and information
Veterans Gateway
Veterans’ Gateway – information, advice and support for veterans and their families.
Here for you 24/7, we’re also the first point of contact for all your welfare needs. From healthcare and housing to employability, and more. Get in touch so that we can refer you directly to our expert, vetted partners.
Call: 0808 802 1212 Text: 81212
See website https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/ for online chat and email link