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Armed forces community local support
Find local support for local veterans or members of the armed forces community.
If you are a local veteran or member of the armed forces community that needs some help or support, there are a range of military charities and organisations working locally.
Many are just a phone call away:
Age UK Herefordshire and 51²èÂ¥
Our bespoke Veterans Service can provide a wide range of personalised support to enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of veterans and their carers in Herefordshire & 51²èÂ¥.
Help for Heroes
Help for Heroes support veterans and their families in their homes and communities across the UK, particularly if their military career has been cut short by illness or injury. They help people improve their physical and mental health and consider each individual to make sure the support they give is tailored to them.
LGBT+ Veterans
Fighting with Pride is a military charity supporting LGBT+ veterans, serving personnel and their families, particularly those who were affected by the ‘gay ban’, ultimately lifted on 12th January 2000. They offer befriending support from those with similar ‘lived’ experiences as well as practical guidance.
Mental Health support for the Armed Forces
OP Courage
A NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel or veterans (includes the Op COURAGE urgent care and support service for the Midlands).
website:
telephone: 0300 323 0137
email: mevs.mhm@nhs.net
Combat Stress
If you’re currently serving or have served in the UK Armed Forces, you can call Combat Stress’ 24-hour mental health helpline. A team of specially-trained professionals are available day and night to provide free confidential advice and support. We’re here for you whether you’re having a tough time, having trouble sleeping, experiencing flashbacks, feeling depressed or anxious, or just feeling that something isn’t quite right. If you’re a family member or carer worried about the mental health of a loved one, or need to talk to someone yourself, you can call the helpline too.
website:
telephone: 0800 138 1619 or text 07537 404 719
National helplines for the Armed Forces Community
Combat Stress
If you’re a veteran, service personnel in need of help, or if you know someone who you think needs help, contact us any time.
SSAFA Forcesline
Forcesline is a free and confidential telephone helpline that provides support for serving (regulars and reserves), ex-Forces and for their families.
SSAFA 51²èÂ¥
SSAFA provide lifelong support to those who are serving or have served in the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines or the Royal Air Force, and to their families. Founded in 1885, we’re extremely proud of our long-standing heritage and of all the work we do with inspiring people from 51²èÂ¥, across the UK and around the world.
Stepway Worcester
Stepway are located across 51²èÂ¥ and run several drop-in centres across the county. No matter your circumstance or background Stepway offer you a place to meet like-minded people who have walked the walk. It is a place to make new friends A place where you can relax, pull up a chair and have a brew with your muckers. It also offers training, advocacy support, volunteering opportunities and a number of great projects to support mental health and wellbeing.
Suicide Prevention
If you are in crisis and need emergency support, contact 24/7 free at:
Samaritans
Freephone their Veterans Support Hub for the military community on 0808 175 3075 or email jo@samaritans.org – to access confidential emotional support for feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
Shout
A crisis text support service for people in the military community who are struggling and need immediate support to get through a crisis. Text CONTACT to 85258.
Combat Stress
For urgent psychological support, please call 0800 1381619
Herefordshire & 51²èÂ¥ Suicide Prevention Programme
Funded by NHS England, the national programme was set up a couple of years ago to work with teams in local areas with the highest level of need to support them to strengthen their local suicide prevention plans, to improve safety and ultimately reduce suicide and self-harm rates across the general public.
The programme is about early intervention and provision of prevention in everyday settings specifically targeting middle aged men.
The team works across both counties, collaborating closely with military charities and in veteran settings to reach out to individuals who may resist access to mental health support.
There is a range of local and national resources available to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis available for anyone.
Samaritans Veteran App
is a free app that aims to help manage the emotional challenges of leaving the military. The app can be accessed on a desktop, tablet or mobile device.
One is too many
Offering support to vulnerable and suicidal veterans. provides information, coping tools and signposts to organisations where you can find further support.
Help for Heroes
A range of free are available full of tips to make positive and lasting changes in key areas of life.
The Royal British Legion
Contact centre is open seven days a week from 8.00am to 8.00pm. Once you make contact your call will be passed onto the local team who will contact you directly.
The Warrior Programme
Our programme empowers individuals to manage their emotions and to develop the resilience, focus and motivation to succeed in today’s world.
The programme has been developed over the last fifteen years to meet the demands and challenges experienced by past and present members of the Armed Forces and their families.
51²èÂ¥ armed forces veterans breakfast clubs
Meet up with other veterans in a relaxed, safe and social environment for banter and putting the world to rights.
To find out more please use the contact details below or search on Facebook:
Kidderminster and Wyre Forest Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club
- tel: 07402811217
Malvern Hills Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club
- email: MalvernHillsAFVBC@gmail.com
Worcester Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club
- tel: 07551240486
- email: info@worcesterafvbc.co.uk
To find a Breakfast Club across the UK and abroad visit .
YSS Remember Veterans
Remember Veterans is for military veterans who are currently in or are at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system. The service works closely with the veteran to develop an intensive 1:1 support plan which aims to enable the veteran to access sustainable, independent living whilst reducing the likelihood of offending/ re-offending.