Support When Leaving the Armed Forces
The following organisations can provide help to service leavers and their families when leaving the forces:
Defence Transition Service (DTS)
The Ministry of Defence’s transition support service helps service leavers and their families up to two years after discharge. They can help you engage with relevant support services depending on the help needed.
Transition Support face to face with ex forces mentors.
Support for those leaving the Navy and Royal Marines
Support with Forces Pensions
The Forces Pension Society is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that acts as a pension watchdog for the entire military community.
Support with Money and Finances
Money Helper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise. It provides free and impartial advice on a range of personal finance topics including benefits, debt, pensions. savings and budgeting. Support is available online, over the phone or in person.
Other General Support
The Veterans’ Gateway service is the first point of contact for all Tri-Service veterans, and their families. It covers housing, employment, finances, living independently, mental wellbeing, families and communities, and physical health.
Telephone 0808 802 1212 (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Text 81212
Email and live chat facilities are available on the website
Forces Connect South West provides help to access the right support when and where required. It also provides information and resources about the Armed Forces Covenant in the South West and nationally.
The Forces Connect App provides a comprehensive directory of valuable contacts and information. It holds specific information on services in Cornwall including:
- Crisis Support
- Employment, Education & Training
- Family Support, Care & Benefits
- Health & Wellbeing
- Housing & Homelessness
The Royal British Legion can provide help with the following:
- Support for emergency accommodation, food or clothing in a crisis
- Support to help navigate and engage with other services like housing, mental health, domestic abuse
- Drugs or alcohol support
- Independent Living - small home adaptations, support with funding for new equipment
- Benefits, Debt and & Money Advice
- Admiral Nurse Service – Dementia specific support
Telephone 0808 802 8080 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week
SSAFA can provide help with the following:
- Providing essential domestic goods and items
- Support for older Veterans
- Financial support to help maintain mobility and independence at home
- Help with bereavement, injury or stress
- Housing advice
- Support for homeless veterans
- Disability support
- Fighting loneliness
Telephone: 0800 731 4880 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm)
Provides professional help and advice service for veterans, their families and dependants. This includes help with Armed Forces Compensation Claims, War Pension and death in service support.
The RAF Families Federation provides all RAF personnel and their families with:
- timely and professional support
- assistance
- an independent voice regarding issues or concerns that they may have.
This is for Regular and Reserve, single or married veterans.
AFF is the voice of the Army family. It empowers, acts as an advocate and an expert witness to promote a quality of life, which reflects the Armed Forces Covenant.
Our vision is for all Naval Service Families to:
- be able to have their views heard by those in positions of power
- feel valued
- be treated with fairness and respect
- be able to thrive in their communities of choice.
British Forces Broadcasting Service
The BFBS is a registered charity.
It was set up to entertain and inform Britain's Armed Forces around the world. Its mission:
'To be the preferred provider of entertainment and information to Service personnel and their families worldwide.'
Are an independent charity who are completely impartial in their choice of suppliers of services or equipment. They will first assess your need before suggesting a solution to meet your particular circumstances.
The Legion's handy van service helps ex-Service people and their families. It supports them with small household repairs and minor adaptations.
Surf Action is a military charity. It is dedicated to supporting serving and ex-serving members of the Armed Forces and their families. Surf Action supports those who suffer from the effects of PTSD, Physical injury or have difficulty re-adjusting to civilian life.
Turn to Starboard is a registered charity. It uses sail training to support Armed Forces personnel affected by military operations. They help retired and serving personnel and their families.
This Family Information Service website is for residents of Cornwall requiring care and support.
Serving in our armed forces can be incredibly demanding. Alongside the physical toll, it can have a huge emotional impact on our servicemen and women. Our Right Turn programme provides specialist support for veterans with specially trained We Are With You staff.
Our mission is to deliver an enduring national network of support for our wounded and their families. We will inspire and enable those who have made sacrifices on our behalf to achieve their full potential.
Combat Stress is the UK's leading Veterans' mental health charity.
If you serve in the Armed Forces - or used to - this information is for you and your family. Find out about help you can get in the UK and abroad, including help with education and travel costs.
Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Clubs
There are Breakfast Clubs right across Cornwall - find one near you using the link above.
Can provide help with urgent essentials including food/groceries, clothing and footwear, household and utilities support.
Also runs a monthly free Black Dog Walking Club
Supports Veterans, their immediate families and those serving in the Armed Forces across Cornwall with outdoor, family focussed, activities, benefit and grant checks; budgeting support, and energy and debt advice. There are free monthly drop in sessions (see link for details) where organisations and charities will be on hand to provide information and help on a wide range of issues including benefits, debt, health and wellbeing, employment and housing – or just call in for a chat and a cup of tea.
Offer support through 1:1 and group Programmes, both in person and online, indoors and outside in therapeutic settings to: acknowledge, open up to, heal and integrate from traumatic events and develop a strong sense of nature connection through learning bushcraft & wilderness skills.
