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Bereavement
Cruse Bereavement Counselling
Can provide support to military families following bereavement, including practical information, dealing with the media and what support can be expected from the military after a death in service. Offices in Pulborough, Brighton and Eastbourne.
Tel: 0808 808 1677
Winston's Wish
Bereavement support programme for children and young people from military families across the UK affected by the death or life limiting illness of a parent or sibling.
National Helpline: 0808 8020 021
Scotty's Little Soldiers
Provides support to individuals aged 0-18 who have lost a parent who was a serving member of the British Armed Forces at the time of their death, or was medically discharged due to an illness which subsequently led to their death.
Tel: 0800 0928 571
SSAFA
If you lose someone who has previously served in the British Armed Forces, or you are ex-Forces and you lose someone, then SSAFA is committed to giving support during your bereavement.
Tel: 0800 169 9060
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Provides a safe, confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feeling, so giving and gaining support from each other.
Tel: 0300 111 5065
Mental Health
NHS Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
Providing specialist armed forces mental health services including the complex treatment service across the South East Coast.
Combat Stress
The primary mental health charity for veterans, providing clinical treatment and welfare support for psychological wounds. A 24 hour service, 365 days of the year.
24 hour helpline: 0800 138 1619
Text: 07537 173683
Veterans and Reserves Mental Health Programme
Offers a full mental health assessment by a consultant psychiatrist to anyone who has seen operational service since 1982 or Reservists who have been on operations since 2003. Treatment is offered to those whose mental health is attributable to their service.
(GP Referral required)
The VRMHP provides assessment and treatment advice for Service and ex-Service personnel who believe that their service may have affected their mental health.
For more information, contact:
Freephone: 0800 032 6258
UK Government website - Support for War Veterans
Referrals to be sent via:
Veterans and Reserve Mental Health programme
DCMH Colchester
Merville Barracks
Read Hall House
Colchester
Essex
CO2 7UT
Help for Heroes
Run in-house programmes such as Hidden Wounds for (ex) armed forces personnel requiring psychological support.
Tel: 01903 844280
Tel: 0808 2020 144
Together All
An online service for anyone with mental health difficulties (free for serving personnel, veterans and their families) to talk about what's troubling them. The service is completely anonymous. Trained professionals, called Wall Guides, are online 24/7.
Promotes self-management and wellbeing.
HeadFIT
An online platform with tools and resources to help defence personnel with their mental health and fitness.
All Call Signs
This is a peer support organisation and platform for veterans, service personnel and their families. It is a place for conversations around mental health and well-being. Whilst we’re all here to engage in those conversations, we are not a crisis service.
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies
A free to use NHS programmes for adults registered with a GP in the local area. Specialist staff provide talking therapies and self-help courses to help with common mental health difficulties such as stress, anxiety and depression.
C.A.L.M (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Main focus is support for male mental health.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Can provide support to military families following bereavement, including practical information, dealing with the media and what support can be expected from the military after a death in service. Office in Pulborough, Brighton and Eastbourne.
Sussex Mental Healthline
Support and information to anyone experiencing mental health problems including stress, anxiety and depression.
Veterans Growth
Veterans' Growth is a charity dedicated to helping ex-service personnel who are suffering from mental health issues. We offer horticultural therapy and support. Includes one-to-one sessions and group work.
ADFAM Support for Veterans’ Families
The service is open to any adult family member of someone who has served in the British armed forces and also has drug or alcohol problems.
Physical
NHS Veterans Trauma Network
Provides specialist care to veterans with service-specific traumatic injuries. Veterans benefit from a personalised care plan implemenetd by top military and civilian trauma experts. The needs of veterans' families and carers are also taken into consideration.
The nearest clinics are in London.
- GP Referral Form can be found in Emis
- Referral Form can be found in Emis
Please use prompt “Veteran Gateway” and select VETERANS TRAUMA NETWORK
Ref - OpRestore Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service
england.veteranstraumanetwork@nhs.net
Tel: 0208 548 7080
NHS Chavasse Clinic - Brighton
Run by Lieutenant Colonel Ben Caesar, a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon. ANY veteran can be referred to this service directly - they do not have to go via the NHS MSK service - and he will generally see a patient within 2-3 weeks after referral.
GP Referral Form can be found in Emis
Please use prompt “Veteran Gateway” AND SELECT CHAVASSE MSK CLINIC BRIGHTON
Email: BSU-TR.Outpatientbookings@nhs.net
Tel: 0300 303 8360
Action on Hearing Loss
Aged Veterans Project offers information and support to older veterans with hearing loss or tinnitus. Focused on those born before 1 January 1950 but will assist all veterans who make contact.
Tel: 0808 808 0123
Blind Veterans UK
Helps visually impaired ex-service persons with rehabilitation, teaching new skills, resolving housing issues, access to sporting facilities and social activities.
Tel: 0800 389 7979
Veterans' Prosthetics Programme
Nine Disablement Service Centres (DSCs) across England have been selected to provide enhanced services to veterans who have lost a limb as a result of their service in the armed forces.
Email: veterans.prosthetics@nhs.net
Care for Veterans
A 60 bed care home for nursing and rehabilitation in Worthing - specifically for physically disabled ex-service men and women. Rehabilitation services include physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, occupational therapy and speech & language therapy.
Tel: 01903 213458
British Limbless Ex Service Men's Association (BLESMA)
Provide rehabilitation and support to veterans who have lost limbs or their sight in service as well as supporting dependants and widows.
Tel: 020 8590 1124
Princess Marina House (RAF Benevolent Fund)
Specialises in providing respite care and recuperative breaks to serving and retired members of the RAF.
Tel: 01903 784044
Occupational Therapy Services
Local authorities support adults and older people with physical disabilities to remain independent and safe in their own homes.
Visit the websites or give the teams a call:
West Sussex, Tel: 01243 642121
The Disability Equipment Register
Dedicated website for the buying and selling of disability equipment.
Tel: 07845 041678
Disability Advice Centre
Advice and support to lead an independent life. Will help find and apply for grants to purchase equipment. They advise on entitlement schemes, provide information on local support groups.
Tel: 01273 894040
British Red Cross
Provides short-term loans of equipment including wheelchairs, commodes and bathing aids.
Tel: 0344 871 1111
Shop Mobility
A service that helps all people who consider themselves to have mobility problems to get around city and town centres. Each scheme varies so contact the scheme you wish to visit.
Tel: 01933 229644
Officers Association
Working with other services to provide an equitable and non-judgemental service to the maximum number of those eligible.
Tel: 020 7808 4175
Addiction
Breaking Free
This is an evidence-based online treatment and recovery programme for alcohol and drug dependence. 24/7 access
West Sussex – Change Grow Live
Drug and Alcohol Wellbeing Network,
Coastal - Adur, Littlehampton, Shoreham, Worthing
Tel: 0300 303 8677
Carers Support West Sussex
For families and carers supporting those struggling with substance misuse
Tel: 0300 028 8888
Sussex Armed Forces Network
The Network has been set up to improve standards of NHS Healthcare for Service and ex-Service personnel. A wide range of organisations ensure the health needs of the local Armed Forces community are being met and considered across local health services. Contact through website.
Be Gamble Aware
Advice and access to free, confidential help. Tips on how to stay in control.
Tel: 0808 8020 133
Alcoholics Anonymous
This is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope.
Narcotics Anonymous
Support and Meetings for men and women
West Sussex Wellbeing
Information on services in West Sussex to help improve general wellbeing
Alcohol Change
Charity which provides help to people with information, advice and support
DrinkAware
Website provides information to help make choices about drinking
Drinkline
Offers free, confidential, and accurate information and advice to callers who are concerned about their own or someone else’s drinking.
FRANK
Gives friendly, confidential advice on any subject related to drugs.
think drink drugs
Online resource for drug and alcohol facts, support services and latest information for Kent and Sussex
Royal British Legion Industries
Wide range of accommodation and welfare support based in Aylesford.
Combat Stress
Specialist substance misuse teams giving advice on how and where to get help with alcohol or drug problems.
Employment
Job Centre Plus – For Ex-Armed Forces
Work Coaches identify whether a claimant has links to the Armed Forces.
Have a large list of referral organisations for ex-Armed Forces which covers provision across the country.
Run an ex-Armed Forces Hub to provide information and support on employment, volunteering, housing, health & wellbeing
Step into Health
Open to all Service Leavers and Veterans and their spouse/partner. An opportunity in which employers are working with the Armed Forces Community to provide career and development opportunities within the NHS.
X-Forces
Supports ex-forces and their families to start-up businesses by providing them with loans, mentoring and support.
Growth Hubs
Helps new and existing businesses find the most suitable type of business support available in their area.
Civvy Street
Online, for job ready people to get further training and skills. Website has many job vacancies and access to free online courses. Tri-service and will help family members.
RFEA - The Forces Employment Charity
Supports all ranks to find employment from the day of discharge throughout their working lives.
Safe Surgeries
DementiaFriends An Alzheimer's Society initiative
Armed Forces veteranfriendly accredited
GP practice
Social Care
Defence Medical Welfare Service
Provides independent and confidential medical welfare service to the Armed Forces Community and the police
Defence Medical Welfare Service website
Royal Air Force HIVES
Provides an information and welfare referral service to the whole AF Community
Visit the HIVE Finder
Caseworker and Face-to-Face Support
Royal British Legion – Pop-In Centre in Brighton. Direct support including help with complex needs.
Royal British Legion website
SSAFA – Local caseworkers provide home calls and face to face support.
SSAFA website
Support for families
Army Families Federation (AFF)
Naval Families Federation (NFF)
Royal Air Force Families Federation
The Ripple Pond - Support groups for families of injured service persons, veterans and reservists.
Other Charities Offering Welfare Support
ABF - The Soldiers Charity
Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
Royal Air Force Association
Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs
Local clubs providing an opportunity to socialise over a meal with other veterans
Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs
Solicitors
Forces Law
Network of civilian lawyers who specialise in advising serving and former members of the armed forces, their families and dependents. Services cover all aspects of civilian law: also provide advice and assistance to those who’ve been arrested, or referred to a court-martial.
Tel: 0845 601 1260
The Royal British Legion
Core services dedicated to Benefits and Money Advice as well as War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme advice. The Immediate Needs Grant Scheme can help with costs in a crisis e.g.: food and clothing. Grants can be applied for to help with e.g.: funeral costs, house adaptations, white goods, food vouchers or a disability.
The Royal British Legion Sussex County
The Forces Pension Society
Ensures Armed Forces personnel, their partners and dependants receive the pension to which they are entitled.
Forces Pension Society
Veterans Advisory & Pensions Committees
Formerly the War Pensions Committee. Advise veterans and their families on government pensions and allowances. Contact local office through:
Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees
Turn 2 Us – Grants and Funding
Free online service to help people access welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help. Can filter searches by occupation – Armed Forces / Veteran.
Armed Forces | Turn2us
SAIL - Seafarers Advice & Information Line
Advice on benefits, debt, housing and much more.
SAIL website