THIS IS SSAFA
‘ In the knowledge that his family at home are being well cared for by SSAFA, the soldier fighting overseas may wholeheartedly devote himself to his duty.’ General Sir Bernard Montgomery – April 1944 Commander-in-Chief, 21st Army Group
OUR HISTORY
– 1892 –
SSFA establishes a Nursing Branch – later known as the Alexandra Nurses.
– 1914 –
SSFA administers the National Relief Fund in World War One.
– 1905 –
SSFA opens The Royal Homes for Officers’ Widows and Daughters in Wimbledon .
– 1885 –
Major James Gildea founds the Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Families Association (SSFA).
– 1926 –
SSAFA is granted its first Royal Charter.
– 1944 –
– 1919 –
– 1915 –
– 1941 –
HM the Queen, SSAFA’s Patron, opens the new Central Office in London.
– 1996 –
SSAFA assists POWs returning from Korea.
SSAFA opens emergency accommodation for families whose homes have been bombed.
– 2013 –
HRH Prince Michael of Kent becomes SSAFA’s fourth President.
– 1953 –
SSFA becomes The Soldiers’, Sailors’ & Airmen’s Families Association (SSAFA).
Number of SSFA volunteers rises to more than 50,000.
– 1982 –
General Montgomery calls for SSAFA to accompany 21st Army Group.
SSAFA wins MOD contract to provide health and social care services in Germany.
– 1982 –
SSAFA supports the families of those serving in the Falklands Conflict.
– 2008 –
First SSAFA Norton Home opens for families of those injured in Afghanistan.
INTRODUCTION SSAFA provides lifelong support to those who are serving or who have ever served in the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, and their families. Nearly five million people living in the United Kingdom today are estimated to have served in the Armed Forces at some point in their lives. Every year, around 20,000 servicemen and women leave the Services and return to civilian life.
Established in 1885 when the 2nd Expeditionary Force set sail for Egypt, SSAFA assisted the wives and families who had been left behind. We still fulfil that role today. We also provide advice and support for servicemen and women and veterans of all ages.
That’s why SSAFA’s work is so important. As the UK’s oldest national tri-service military charity, we understand the unique demands of service life. We believe that those who have done important and dangerous things for their country should get the best possible support when they need it. We also believe the hardships experienced by their families should be recognised.
SSAFA’s vital work is made possible by our team of trained volunteers and professional staff. Our network of thousands of volunteers plays a crucial role in delivering services and raising funds. Our charitable work is financed by the profits from our contracted services and generous donations from the public and other charities. We are proud to provide lifelong support to the Armed Forces and their families.
LIFELONG SUPPORT SSAFA has been serving the Armed Forces community for more than 125 years. We are continually updating what we do to ensure we meet the changing needs of servicemen and women, veterans and their families.
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members of the Forces family are supported by SSAFA every year
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WHO WE HELP
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SSAFA also works in partnership with other military charities and specialist organisations to ensure that those who turn to us for help get the support they need. Our work is driven by our core values: we are committed, practical and understanding.
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7,500 volunteers in the UK and around the world
WELFARE ADVICE AND SUPPORT
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE SERVICES
We help serving personnel, veterans and their families across the UK. We offer vital practical, financial and emotional support to individuals facing issues ranging from financial hardship to homelessness to family breakdown. Every year we help over 50,000 people – that’s 136 every day.
SSAFA has been providing professional health and social care to the Armed Forces community for over 120 years. Today we provide high quality services on a contractual basis to the MOD in 13 countries around the world.
Our trained branch volunteers support veterans and their families in the community. There are over 90 SSAFA branches across the UK, and we also have branches in Ireland, France and Germany. Our service volunteers work in army garrisons, RAF stations and naval establishments helping families to meet the unique challenges of military life.
800 Health and social care professionals in the UK and overseas
Our doctors, nurses, midwives and social workers deliver health and community care for British Forces in Germany, and a range of services for military bases stretching from Cyprus to Brunei to Canada. We also provide Personal Support and Social Work Services at RAF bases across the UK. In addition we work in partnership with the NHS to provide health services in Leicester and Nottingham.
Whenever we are needed, we’ll do whatever we can to help.
‘We often have to fight for our clients to ensure they get the help they deserve.’
‘I will always be grateful for the time and help given to me when I needed it most.’
SSAFA volunteer
Health and social care beneficiary
900 people helped by our Family Support Groups
SPECIALIST SERVICES
SPECIALIST SERVICES FOR CHILDREN
The Armed Forces family is at the heart of what we do. In 2008 we set up Support Groups for families who have been bereaved, either because their loved one has died on operations or from other causes. We have also established a support group for families of the wounded, injured and sick. The Support Groups give individuals facing life-changing experiences the chance to give each other mutual support and advice.
Armed Forces families get used to moving regularly but can find it very difficult to access the services they need as a result.
More recently we launched a Mentoring Scheme, which supports serving personnel facing the challenges of transitioning to civilian life. We are also developing programmes to raise mental health awareness and support veterans in the criminal justice system.
20 children are placed by our adoption agency every year
We organise Short Breaks for Children with additional needs and disabilities, so they can enjoy new experiences while their families have some essential respite. We also run a Forum for Additional Needs and Disabilities so serving parents can share information and advice. Our Adoption Service is designed for military families that would like to adopt but face the additional challenge of being regularly relocated. We also provide fostering services in Germany and Cyprus.
The Military Wives Choirs Foundation is part of SSAFA too. It brings women in the military community closer together through singing.
‘It gives me a place I feel safe and comfortable talking about my loss.’
‘George says it is his favourite holiday and he comes home brimming with confidence.’
Bereaved sister
Military Mum
HOUSING
800 people stay in the Norton Homes every year
SSAFA provides a diverse range of accommodation to meet the different needs of the serving and veteran communities. The Norton Homes are located in Birmingham and Surrey. They offer free accommodation for the families of military personnel receiving medical treatment for wounds or long term illnesses. They enable families who are under enormous strain to stay near their loved ones, at ‘a home from home’. The Stepping Stone Homes are designed for women and children experiencing relationship breakdown. Our homes give them somewhere to stay, free of charge, when they have to leave services’ family accommodation. We also provide accommodation at the Royal Homes in Wimbledon, St Vincent’s care home in the Isle of Wight and 36 bungalows across the country for veterans with disabilities.
‘I would have been lost without Norton Homes.’ Mum of injured serviceman
165 SSAFA Branches and Service Committees provide welfare support across the UK and Worldwide
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL AND SPECIALIST SERVICES RAF Personal Support and Social Work (UK) Children’s Short Breaks Housing Central Office Healthcare Services Adoption Service Personal Support & Social Work Service
15 the number of countries around the world where SSAFA operates
‘ SSAFA remains dynamic and essential and the Armed Forces and wider Services community owe it a huge debt of gratitude.’ General Sir Nicholas Houghton GCB CBE ADC Gen – October 2013 Chief of the Defence Staff
GET IN TOUCH SSAFA Queen Elizabeth House 4 St Dunstan’s Hill, London EC3R 8AD T 0207 403 8783 E info@ssafa.org.uk
CAN WE HELP? T 0207 403 8783 E canwehelp@ssafa.org.uk
VOLUNTEER FOR US T 0845 658 1167 E volunteer.support@ssafa.org.uk
FUNDRAISE FOR US T 0207 463 9310 E fundraise@ssafa.org.uk
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE T 0207 463 9379 E HSC@ssafa.org.uk
ssafa.org.uk Registered Charity No. 210760 and SC038056, Est. 1885.
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