IMPACT REPORT
MAKING AN IMPACT SSAFA’s promise is to provide lifelong support to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force. We are committed to be here for them and their families, whenever and wherever they need us. Last year our trained volunteers and professional staff worked tirelessly to help tens of thousands of people, young and old alike. This report tells you a little bit more about what we did and some of the people we helped. THE NUMBERS THAT COUNT
£1,954,000 Total cost of casework
When Brett left the Royal Navy, his local council was unable to fund building adaptations to help his daughter Elsie, who has Down’s Syndrome. Our branch in Hampshire stepped in and worked with other Service charities to get the job done.
“ We couldn’t be more grateful to SSAFA. They have given us real peace of mind. You just can’t put a price on that.”
40,645
885
579
£16.7million
3,279
96
veterans and their families were directly supported by SSAFA
people stayed at our SSAFA Norton Homes
referrals and visits were made by our Community Volunteers
people were helped by one of our Family Support Groups
was almonised for veterans and their families
children with additional needs and disabilities attended our short breaks
LIFELONG SUPPORT Wherever the Forces are, so are we. Our network of trained caseworkers work locally throughout the UK to support the Veterans Community. At the same time, we have Community Volunteers on military bases around the world, helping our serving Forces and their families. Support from SSAFA is always close at hand.
Alan served in the Army for 12 years. Aged 85, he now lives alone in a small flat but was struggling to afford the cost of some basic renovation. Our local Branch in Swansea helped buy curtains, carpets and kitchen equipment for Alan.
£48
Simon and Melinda’s daughter, Amelia was just ten months old when she contracted meningitis. She was in hospital for months and underwent numerous operations, losing the fingers and thumb on her right hand. SSAFA’s local Service Committee stepped in to provide items that help make everyday life a little bit easier for Amelia and her family.
Average cost per case and visit
“ I was struggling to get by before I was put in touch with SSAFA. I can’t believe what they’ve done for me.”
CASES AND VISITS BY SERVICE
5,490 Navy
25,064 8,198 Army
RAF
92
SSAFA Branches
72
SSAFA Service Committees
7,503 Volunteers
HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE
HOUSING
Our professional health and social care staff provide worldwide support to our Forces and their families in locations all around the world. From Germany to Nepal and from Cyprus to Canada, we match the very best standards of the NHS and UK statutory agencies.
We recognise the fact that families need to be together somewhere safe and comfortable when times are difficult. So our housing includes ‘homes from home’ for families of the wounded, a residential care home for veterans and places for families to stay when marriages break down.
Lynda has worked with our Forces and their families all over the world in her role as a SSAFA Social Worker. Her most recent job took her 6,000 miles away from her home and family on a year long posting to the Falkland Islands.
When Cayle was recovering from injuries sustained in Afghanistan, his Mum Bronwyn and the family were able to stay at our Norton Homes. It meant that she could be close at hand when he needed her most.
“ Being isolated and so far from home can bring practical problems for people. My job means I can take the time to help them and stop concerns developing.”
“ My time spent with my son at Norton House was invaluable. It was a lifeline to me. The staff are all fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble.”
346
Health care staff
90
Social care staff
2013 is the 50th Anniversary of SSAFA’s Social Work Service
14
countries around the World
£318,000 Norton Homes running costs
579
different people stayed at one of our SSAFA Norton Homes
139
women and children were looked after at one of our Stepping Stone Homes
SPECIALIST SERVICES
After Helen’s son Michael was killed in Afghanistan, our Bereaved Families’ Support Group was there for her and daughter Erin.
We know that life in the Forces can present different challenges for different people, so we have a range of specialist services that provide unique solutions when they are most needed. From a registered adoption agency to family support groups, we’re here for every changing need.
Pia is one of the team at Forcesline, our free and 100% confidential helpline. The listening and signposting service is here for our Forces and their families, as well as those who used to serve. Pia’s job is all about offering a supportive and listening ear.
“ At the end of a call there is often a sense of relief in the caller’s voice. They feel empowered to sort things out.”
4,046 calls were made to Forcesline
17
“ After Michael died, Erin would ask if there was anyone else who had also lost an older brother in conflict. The SSAFA support group means that Erin no longer feels alone with her feelings.”
When 11 year old Darcey, who has SWAN syndrome, went on one of our short breaks, her younger sister Sydney was also able to get away on our special break for siblings and young carers.
£123,000 Cost of running Forcesline
children were placed with Forces families through our registered Adoption Service
“ I can’t thank SSAFA enough for the smiles on my girls’ faces when we collected them. It was heaven for us as a family.”
301
family members belong to our Support Group for Bereaved Families
96
children from Forces families attended our short breaks
OUR VOLUNTEERS
SUPPORTING SSAFA
At SSAFA our volunteers are at the very heart of what we do. They support the Forces family in local communities throughout the UK and on military bases around the world. Their work ranges from practical and emotional help to fundraising, publicity and project co-ordination.
We continue to rely on the support and generosity of countless people and many different organisations to do our vital work. Their dedication and generosity means that we can carry on providing lifelong support for our Forces and their families. Thank you to everyone who supported us in 2012/13.
Charlie knew all about helping others in the military community. But when she suffered a stroke last year, her own SSAFA Service Committee was there for her family, organising hospital trips, school pick-ups and helping her parents to travel to see her. Only six months after her stroke, Charlie was volunteering again at RAF Leuchars.
Anna’s busy life in the RAF didn’t stop her from training to run the Virgin London Marathon and raising more than £2,000 for SSAFA. She’s just one of the many people who take part in challenge events on our behalf. Thank you Anna!
“ The work which SSAFA does is truly life changing. It is a great to know that I have contributed to it in some small way.”
“ Experiencing support from the ‘other side’ has shown us just how important SSAFA really is.”
475
volunteers were trained on our Caseworker course
175
volunteers were trained on our Community Volunteer course
£12 million The money we need to raise to do our work
732
Big Brew Ups held in locations worldwide
19,882
children took part in Camo Day
For more information about SSAFA, please contact us: SSAFA Queen Elizabeth House 4 St Dunstan’s Hill, London EC3R 8AD T 0845 130 0975 E info@ssafa.org.uk
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Registered Charity No. 210760 and SC038056, Est. 1885.