SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, also known as the Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association, is a UK

charity Charity may refer to: Common meanings * Charitable organization or charity, a non-profit organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being of persons * Charity (practice), the practice of being benevolent, giving and sha ...

that provides trusted support to serving men and women and

veterans A veteran () is a person who has significant experience (and is usually adept and esteemed) and expertise in an job, occupation or Craft, field. A military veteran is a person who is no longer serving in the military, armed forces. A topic o ...

from the

British Armed Forces The British Armed Forces are the unified military, military forces responsible for the defence of the United Kingdom, its British Overseas Territories, Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies. They also promote the UK's wider interests ...

and their

families Family (from ) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictability, structure, and safety as ...

or dependents. Anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

British Army The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...

and their families, both regulars and reserves, is eligible for their help. SSAFA’s professional staff and network of more than 3400

volunteers Volunteering is an elective and freely chosen act of an individual or group giving their time and labor, often for community service. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergenc ...

assist more than 66,000 people every year, from

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

veterans to the families of young servicemen and women wounded or killed in

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the Durand Line, east and south, Iran to the Afghanistan–Iran borde ...

. Founded in 1885, SSAFA is the UK's oldest national tri-service Armed Forces charity.

Clients

SSAFA offers help and support to all serving and former members of all ranks of the Armed Forces, including: * Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force * Volunteer Reserve Forces, including Royal Navy Reserves, Royal Marine Reserves, Army Reserves and Royal Air Force Reserves * Nursing services. The following people are also eligible for SSAFA’s support: * Wives and former wives * Husbands and former husbands * Widows and widowers * Civil partners and former civil partners * Partners who are, or were, in an established relationship with a Beneficiary * Children who are dependent on a beneficiary * Those who provide, or provided, care for a beneficiary.

Welfare advice and support

SSAFA offer welfare advice and support for serving personnel, veterans and their families through a worldwide network of volunteers. Branches in local communities provide help for veterans and their families and committees on military bases help serving families.

For currently serving personnel and their families

Support in service communities

SSAFA has a network of volunteers on Army, RAF and Naval bases in the UK and around the world who give local support.

Housing for wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and their families

SSAFA's Norton House, Stanford Hall provides home-from-home accommodation for families visiting wounded injured or sick service or ex-service personnel and outpatients. SSAFA also provides day-to-day management of

Fisher House UK Fisher House UK is based in the grounds of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. With the slogan of "a home away from home for military patients and their families", the Fisher House provides a sanctuary for the families of military patients rec ...

at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB).

Mentoring for injured, wounded or sick service leavers

SSAFA’s mentoring scheme was set up in 2011 and supports those transitioning out of the Army or RAF due to medical discharge. SSAFA’s volunteer mentors provide support to wounded, injured and sick service leavers through a long-term 'one-to-one' relationship that underpins the transition from the military. SSAFA Mentoring is nationally accredited by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation.

Adoption for military families

SSAFA is a registered adoption agency dedicated to helping military families through the adoption process as well.

Additional needs and disabilities support

SSAFA provide specialised support to military families with additional needs including their Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum (FANDF).

Short breaks for children and young people from forces families

SSAFA coordinates holidays and events that focus on offering new experiences and activities for children and young people from service families.

Stepping Stone Homes for women and their children with a service connection

Stepping Stone Homes provide short-term supported accommodation, help and advice during difficult times. Female serving or ex-service personnel, or the female spouses and partners of serving or ex-service personnel, along with their dependent children are all eligible to stay there.

Professional health care

SSAFA’s professional health care staff provide patient-focussed care to military families worldwide.

Personal support and social work for the RAF

Working alongside the RAF, but outside the Chain of Command, SSAFA staff provide support for RAF personnel and their families, both Regulars and Reserves.

Independent Service Custody Visiting

SSAFA provides independent oversight of Army Service Custody facilities.

Support available to veterans and their families

Housing advice

SSAFA offers practical housing advice and support to Armed Forces veterans and their dependents including guidance around housing benefits and accessing social housing.

Debt advice

SSAFA can help veterans to get advice on dealing with debt when they have fallen behind on their bills or repayments to credit cards and are struggling to get by or at risk of losing their home.

Mobility assistance

SSAFA volunteers seek financial assistance for veterans to help maintain mobility and independence at home. Trained volunteers can help veterans get mobility equipment such as Electronically Powered Vehicles or mobility scooters, stair lifts, riser and recliner chairs.

Providing household goods

SSAFA can provide veterans with essential household items, including

white White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

and

brown goods Consumer electronics, also known as home electronics, are electronic devices intended for everyday household use. Consumer electronics include those used for entertainment, communications, and recreation. Historically, these products were refer ...

Support for homeless veterans

SSAFA has a range of specialist services to support veterans who are homeless or facing homelessness.

Support for offenders and ex-offenders

SSAFA can provide support for: * Families of veterans whilst they are in custody * Veterans and their families on release * Veterans whilst they are in custody.

Residential housing

St Vincent's Care Home at Ryde provides residential care for older ex-service personnel and their spouses. The Royal Homes in Wimbledon provide accommodation where widows and daughters of those who used to serve can live independently.

Glasgow's Helping Heroes

'Glasgow's Helping Heroes' is a service provided by SSAFA in partnership with Glasgow City Council for current and former members of the armed forces and their dependants or carers who live, work or wish to relocate there. Its dedicated team works with national and local government and third sector providers to resolve clients' employment, housing, health, financial and/or social isolation issues.

Forcesline helpline

SSAFA also offers Forcesline, a free and confidential telephone helpline, live chat, and email service that provides support for both current and ex-servicemen and women from the Armed Forces and for their families.

Locations

SSAFA provides support where it is needed in the UK and worldwide: * The volunteer network reaches into every county of the UK and 13 countries around the world. * Volunteers in more than 90 branches provide advice and support to veterans and their families living in local communities. * Service Committees work on army garrisons, RAF stations and naval establishments with over 60 Committees across the UK and wherever the UK Armed Forces are based worldwide. SSAFA health care and social work services support the Armed Forces community in 13 countries.

Structure and governance

SSAFA is governed by a board of Trustees who make and approve SSAFA policy. They oversee the Chief Executive Sir Andrew Gregory and his Executive team who together look after to day-to-day management of the charity. SSAFA Trustees are all volunteers who contribute their time and expertise to the management of SSAFA. They have ultimate responsibility for directing SSAFA's affairs and ensuring the charity is solvent, well-run and meet objectives. All Trustees are also members of the Council and meet regularly to discuss the charity's activities and progress. The Chairman of Council is Lieutenant General Sir Gary Coward KBE CB. SSAFA’s charitable work is financed by contributions from benevolent funds, generous donations from members of the public and the profits generated by their Health and Social Care department who are contracted by the

National Health Service The National Health Service (NHS) is the term for the publicly funded health care, publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom: the National Health Service (England), NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and Health and Social Care (Northern ...

and

Ministry of Defence A ministry of defence or defense (see American and British English spelling differences#-ce.2C -se, spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is the part of a government responsible for matters of defence and Mi ...

to provide direct support to serving personnel and their families in the UK and overseas.

History

James Gildea founded the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association in 1885. In 1919, after the establishment of the

(in 1918), the organisation expanded support to become the Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA). In 1997, SSAFA Forces Help was established when two charities, the "Forces Help Society" and "SSAFA", merged. On 10 April 2013, the charity's name changed to SSAFA as part of a rebranding aimed at improving awareness of the organisation's work amongst members of the armed forces community.

Cultural references

In ''

Foyle's War ''Foyle's War'' is a British detective drama television series set during and shortly after the Second World War, created by '' Midsomer Murders'' screenwriter and author Anthony Horowitz and commissioned by ITV after the long-running series ...

'' series six, episode 3 ("All Clear"), Sam volunteers with SSAFA, at Foyle's suggestion. In the 1960 British drama film

Tunes of Glory ''Tunes of Glory'' is a 1960 British drama film directed by Ronald Neame, starring Alec Guinness and John Mills, featuring Dennis Price, Kay Walsh, John Fraser, Duncan MacRae, Gordon Jackson and Susannah York. It is based on the 1956 nove ...

, directed by

Ronald Neame Ronald Neame CBE, BSC (23 April 1911 – 16 June 2010) was an English film producer, director, cinematographer, and screenwriter. Beginning his career as a cinematographer, for his work on the British war film '' One of Our Aircraft Is Missin ...

, there is a scene with

John Mills Sir John Mills (born Lewis Ernest Watts Mills; 22 February 190823 April 2005) was an English actor who appeared in more than 120 films in a career spanning seven decades. He excelled on camera as an appealing British everyman who often portray ...

involving a SSAFA charity collection. 1940s poster artwork commissioned by SSAFA from

Fougasse (cartoonist) Cyril Kenneth Bird CBE (17 December 1887 – 11 June 1965), known by the pen name Fougasse, was a British cartoonist. He was perhaps best known for his work in '' Punch'' magazine (of which he served as editor from 1949 to 1953) and his World W ...

is now highly sought after by collectors.

References

Disabled Facilities Grants (A guide to DFGs)

External links

Official website
{{Use British English, date=May 2025 1885 establishments in the United Kingdom British veterans' organisations Organizations established in 1885