Service Welfare

SSAFA FORCES HELP

Social Work Service. SSAFA Forces Help provide a statutory social work service on behalf of the Ministry of Defence for serving personnel based overseas and their families. SSAFA Forces Help social workers can provide you with a professional, comprehensive and confidential service relating to children and families, children with disabilities, adoption and fostering matters. If you are based in Northern Ireland, SSAFA Forces Help have a number of qualified social workers stationed there.

Child Welfare and Adoption. SSAFA Forces Help is a registered adoption agency. They offer a professional, confidential service to anyone affected by adoption both in UK and Overseas. They will help and advise on all adoption issues whether you're thinking of adopting, thinking of placing a child for adoption, if you are adopted or are already an adoptive parent.

Family Escort Service. This voluntary service operates to assist serving and ex-Service families and their dependants who are travelling to, from and within the United Kingdom. It is intended to help if they have compassionate needs or are travelling with young children and luggage and would find negotiating public transport systems difficult. SSAFA Forces Help volunteers meet families from wherever necessary in the UK - usually airports or stations and help with the onward journeys, either using public transport, or in some cases, using their own cars. They help 150-200 families each year.

Special Needs and Disability. SSAFA Forces Help Special Needs & Disability Adviser offers help, advice, support and advocacy on any issues relating to disability and special needs. They are committed to raising and maintaining awareness of disability and special needs within service life at all levels. Treating all users of the service with respect and without discrimination, also maintaining confidentiality, except in circumstances of safety.

Children's Holidays. Each summer SSAFA Forces Help organise two holidays for children with special needs and disabilities between the ages of 8 and 14. They aim to give the children opportunities and experiences usually denied them, and to heighten their self-esteem, sense of worth and emphasise their abilities in a caring and child centred environment. SSAFA Forces Help also offer holidays for the siblings of children with special needs and disabilities from the ages of 8 to 12. They recognise the unique needs of siblings in a family where there is a disabled child and organise the holidays with this in mind.

Confidential Support Line. SSAFA Forces Help run an independent Confidential Support Line on behalf of the Army. They provide support and options for Army people and their families. If something is getting you down, and you feel the need to talk it over with someone outside of the Army, then talk to SSAFA Forces Help, it's completely confidential, and they are available every day from anywhere in the world. The line is open from 1030 - 2230 (UK local time) every day, including Christmas Day. Freephone lines operate from Germany, Cyprus and the UK.

From the UK: 0800 731 4880

From Germany: 0800 1827 395

From Cyprus: 080 91065

From anywhere in the world (Call-back) +44 (0)1980 630854

Health Service. SSAFA Forces Help provide a professional community health service to many of the Armed Forces and their families who are posted overseas. They employ midwives, health visitors, pharmacists, general managers and practice, paediatric and psychiatric nurses. Many of them work in Germany, through the British Forces Germany Health Service. They are there to attend to your health needs in the same way as UK families have access to the National Health Service.

Ex-Service Welfare Support. SSAFA Forces Help provide financial assistance, housing, advice, friendship visits and practical support to anyone who has completed one day's paid service in the Armed Forces and is in need. This includes the Reserves, those who did National Service, and their partners, dependents and widows and widowers of anyone who has served. The assistance they provide varies from helping to replace lost or stolen medals to obtaining the funding for an electric wheelchair if you have difficulty moving around. If SSAFA Forces Help are unable to help you with a particular requirement, they will find an agency or charity that can.

Housing Advice. SSAFA Forces Help can meet a number of housing needs swiftly and effectively through their advisory service; accommodation in a residential care home, bungalows for the severely disabled, semi-sheltered accommodation and temporary accommodation for separated families. They also have holiday apartments in the Isle of Wight. Some of the services that SAFFA Forces Help offer are:

Stepping Stone Homes. SSAFA Forces Help have three 'Stepping Stone Homes', which provide temporary accommodation for separated serving and ex-Service families when they need to move out of the family home. The homes, based in London, Manchester and the north east, not only offer temporary accommodation, but also provide practical support. You are eligible if you and your family will be homeless, are about to be evicted with nowhere to go or are in need of emergency accommodation. The homes are run by fully trained professional staff that are on hand to offer any support or assistance you may need. All of the staff are experienced in dealing with emotional and practical problems, going to great lengths to provide you with a homely and supportive environment. While you take time to consider your future, the staff will contact the housing agencies to help you find a permanent home. The homes are fully equipped, so all you need to bring are your own essentials, e.g. clothes, teddy bears etc. There is no room for your furniture, but if required, they can assist with finding storage facilities.

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