Support for All (including carers and veterans)
Supporting veterans and the armed forces
Some links on this page have been colour coded to make it easier to find the information you need:
Urgent support
Mental health emergencies
Mental health emergencies includes other support beyond calling 999 or going directly to A&E, see under
Specific urgent support for veterans
From Gov UK
Veterans needing urgent help in a crisis can contact us or the following organisations for assistance. Urgent help for veterans – GOV.UK
LOCAL SUPPORT - SELF REFERRAL
support for veterans accessing local health care
The NHS provide a simple introduction to the NHS for veterans and all members of the armed forces community
If you require any signposting to local services then the local healthwatch can help, see under
- Patient advice and liaison service (PALS) and other support – see “Healthwatch”
GENERAL SUPPORT
From the Veteran’s Gateway
An excellent first point of contact for veterans and their families seeking local support. This national organisation will connect you to local support organisations.
“We connect veterans and their families with a range of local support organisations – both within and outside the Armed Forces sector.” Advice and support for veterans & ex-forces | Veterans’ Gateway
Also they have a directory you can search for local support
Find support in your local area Find local support for veterans with an interactive map | Veterans’ Gateway
From SSAFA Buckinghamshire
You can contact the local SSAFA branch in Buckinghamshire, which provides local lifelong support to those who are serving or have served in the armed forces Buckinghamshire | SSAFA
Further information
Further local support can be found under:
Other local organisations
If you live on the borders of Buckinghamshire you may want to look at other local organisations
From SSAFA Berkshire
You can contact the local branch in Berkshire, which provides lifelong support to those who are serving or have served in the armed forces Berkshire | SSAFA
From SSAFA Oxfordshire
You can contact the local branch in Oxfordshire, which provides lifelong support to those who are serving or have served in the armed forces Oxfordshire | SSAFA
general veteran mental health support
From Op COURAGE
The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing service supporting any veteran who is struggling with their mental health or wellbeing.
- Op Courage and how to contact the south east team which includes Buckinghamshire. Veterans: NHS mental health services – NHS
- Welcome to Op COURAGE South East Home | NHS Veterans’ Mental Health South East
From Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies
The NHS psychology service in Buckinghamshire
See under Working with you: “Are you a Military Veteran?“ Working with you – NHS Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies NHS Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
From Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies
One to one support for PTSD using “Eye movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing “treatment One to one support – NHS Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies
Other local wellbeing and mental health support
Please also see the mental health and wellbeing sections of this website which give more information on local services. In particular it is worth looking at
finances
From Citizens Advice
Armed forces and veterans Armed forces and veterans – Citizens Advice
Local support for finances
Under the page on financial support, there is information on local support for finances and under “local support self-referral” you can self-refer to one of the Citizen Advice offices in Buckinghamshire for direct advice from citizens advice on support for the armed forces, veterans and their families.
Social activities
From the Royal British Legion
“Search for your closest Royal British Legion location and pop in to see us.”
“Becoming a member provides the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of activities and events held locally, regionally and nationally throughout the year.”
- Royal British Legion Branches in Buckinghamshire Homepage – Buckinghamshire County
- Online joining is also possible Homepage – Buckinghamshire County
- You can also search for branches outside Buckinghamshire if you live on the county boundary Local Branches | Membership | Royal British Legion
Other local activities and groups
For a broad range of local activities and groups, see under
For the local Armed services community
From Buckinghamshire Council
Support for families in the forces Support for families in the forces | Family Information Service
alcohol and drug support
There is excellent local support for alcohol and drugs which can be found under
Improving health and reducing health inequalities
For steps to improve everyone’s health and reduce local health inequalities, see under
- A Healthier Life – RECOMMENDED
This page does not just include medical support but potential support in other areas of life.
NATIONAL SUPPORT - SELF REFERRAL
GENERAL SUPPORT
From the Veteran’s Gateway
“Here for you 24/7, we’re also the first point of contact for all your welfare needs. From healthcare and housing to employability, and more. Get in touch so that we can refer you directly to our expert, vetted partners.” Advice and support for veterans & ex-forces | Veterans’ Gateway
From SSAFA
Forcesline is a free and confidential telephone helpline and email service that provides support for serving (regulars and reserves), ex-Forces and for their families. Forcesline | SSAFA
From Gov UK
The Veterans UK helpline provides assistance on many issues including benefits, housing and welfare. Veterans UK: contact us – GOV.UK
From the Royal British Legion
We support serving and ex-serving personnel all year round, every day of the week. Who we help: Who We Help | Armed Forces Charity | Royal British Legion
Click on “contact” on the top menu or scroll to the bottom of any page of the “get support” sections you will find contact details for telephone and online chat.
From Walking With The Wounded
As a veteran’s charity, we can help with employment, mental health and wellbeing, and Support Care Coordination. Ask for Help | Walking With The Wounded
From the NHS
Charities and support groups Charities and support groups – NHS
Further national support
There is also support in a number of other areas including
prosthetic devices
From Blesma
Support for veterans who have lost limbs “How we help” How we help | Blesma, The Limbless Veterans Charity
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
From Contact
Note: you have to scroll to the top of the page to see the different groups supported (e.g., Veterans)
A helpful directory of services supporting mental health, broken down by “for serving”, “for veterans”, “for families”, “Crisis Help”. Each link as a simple summary of the support organisation and then a link to their website and telephone helpline if available. Mental Health Support for Veterans | The Contact Group
From Combat Stress
A 24-hour helpline for veterans and their families for confidential mental health advice and support. An online self-help is also available for guidance and support. Mental health support for veterans | Combat Stress
From Help For Heroes
Offer a clinical assessment to help identify the most appropriate treatment plan, for veterans experiencing difficulties with your mental health Hidden Wounds Service – Help For Heroes
FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS
general support
From NHS choices
Overview of an excellent guide
- Healthcare for the armed forces community Healthcare for the armed forces community – NHS
Healthcare for armed forces community: Serving personnel
- NHS Hospital care Serving personnel: NHS hospital care – NHS
- Mental health services Serving personnel: mental health services – NHS
- Service families: Welfare and support Service families: welfare and support – NHS
Healthcare for armed forces community: Veterans
- Veterans, service leavers, and non-mobilised reservists Veterans, service leavers, and non-mobilised reservists – NHS
- NHS Mental Health Services Veterans: NHS mental health services – NHS
- Step-by-step guide for service leavers Step-by-step guide for service leavers – NHS
From the Veterans Gateway
Click on the self-help tab on the top menu and find information on a range of areas including finances, mental wellbeing and physical health. Each topic has “ most viewed questions on..” Self help for veterans and ex-forces | Veterans’ Gateway
From Gov UK
support services for veterans and their families
Veterans UK Veterans UK – GOV.UK
From Combat Stress
Self-help Self Help | Combat Stress
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
From the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Coping after a traumatic event Coping after a traumatic event | Royal College of Psychiatrists
From NICE
Post-traumatic stress disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE
BEREAVEMENT
From Cruse Bereavement Support
Bereavement in the military Bereavement in the military – Cruse Bereavement Support
What is the Armed Forces Covenant?
From the Armed Forces Covenant
“To those who proudly protect our nation, who do so with honour, courage, and commitment, the Armed Forces Covenant is the nation’s commitment to you.”
“It is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.” About – Armed Forces Covenant
Though there are a few practices who have gone down a formal route of fulfilling some predesigned criteria, signing up as a “veteran friendly practice” (Veterans’ healthcare toolkit: Veteran friendly GP practice accreditation) much more importantly this veteran webpage is testament to the commitment of the practices linked to this website to support the Armed Forces Covenant (as this page is a collaboration of the attached practices and gives not only support to veterans and present serving personnel but also to all staff in the practice in providing support for veterans).
Videos and podcasts
On the videos and podcasts page there are links to some relevant videos and podcasts covering the topic of support for veterans.
- Videos And Podcasts – see section “support over your lifetime.”
