SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans and their families in their time of need.

Our support covers both regulars and reserves in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force and their families, including anyone who has completed National Service. They are all entitled to lifelong support from SSAFA, no matter how long they have served.

Our five strategic aims deliver our vision and mission by:

1. Understanding need: We will ensure we understand and adapt to the needs of those we support.
2. Delivering consistent & effective support: We will alleviate suffering and distress by providing appropriate, timely and effective support.
3. Sustaining our resources: We will ensure we have people with the right skills and sufficient time to deliver our services, underpinned by a sustainable income.
4. Raising our profile & strengthening our brand: We will strive to be recognised, known and understood.
5. Growing collaboration: We will work together within the organisation and with external partners.

What makes us unique?

We understand the unique demands of service life, whether it’s on UK soil or overseas. Support is available for people at any stage in their military career; from the youngest recruit to the oldest veteran – no one’s service is ever forgotten. We have more than 4,000 trained SSAFA volunteers who provide personalised, face-to-face support to those in their local area.

Our trained welfare advisors and volunteers work with each person to find out exactly what they need. Once we’ve assessed what is required, we’ll help the individual or family access the support they need. This may just be someone to listen to them, but, more often than not, we access financial assistance from statutory and military benevolent funds or foundations that we work with. In addition, we signpost to our other charity partners who can give much needed assistance to help people get their lives back on track.

Whatever they’re facing – from debt or addiction to mental health problems – our Forces and their families can rely on SSAFA and our personalised support to help them through it, for as long as it takes to get that person’s life back to where they want it to be.

When anyone in our Forces family finds themselves in need, SSAFA is the charity they can turn to. Whether it’s financial, practical or emotional, we provide the right kind of support, ensuring independence and dignity is protected at all times.