If a British ex serviceman or their family fall on hard times there are avenues of help out there for them.
As well as the specific Nuclear Veterans charities, there are hundreds of other service charities that may be able to offer assistance in a time of need. We have created a list of some of the organisations for you to refer to if you need help now or in the future.
ABF The Soldiers' Charity
The charity provides timely practical and financial support to four generations of Army families, the physically disabled, the mentally ill, the homeless, the unemployed and the elderly.
The Royal British Legion
Caring and campaigning for the ex-Service community. Small business loans, training grants and advice.
The Poppy Factory
The Poppy Factory help veterans with health challenges to find life-changing employment across the UK. Visit us for recruitment opportunities for ex-military.
Forces Pension Society
As the independent watchdog for the Armed Forces pensions, FPS reaches out to serving and retired Forces personnel and their relatives and dependants and also offers through life administrative services, such as private medical insurance, conveyancing, probate and will writing, whilst campaigning for Service pension rights. It also supports and advises members in their fight for the pensions they should be receiving.
Officers' Association Scotland
The Officers’ Association Scotland offers job finding assistance to ex-officers living in Scotland. They also offer benevolence support to ex-officers, their spouses and dependants who reside in Scotland.
The Officers' Association
The Officers' Association is a charity dedicated to assisting officers who have retired or are about to retire from Her Majesty's Armed Forces.
RAF Association
The RAF Association (RAFA) provides comradeship, welfare and care for current and former members of the RAF.
RFEA - The Forces Employment Charity
The Regular Forces Employment Association (RFEA) is part of the CTP and along with the Officers' Association, and delivers employment support to Service leavers who are registered with the CTP. In addition to this, the RFEA are a long-established Service charity and within that remit, offer job finding assistance to veterans for life.
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund exists to provide assistance to those of the extended Royal Air Force Family who need support as a consequence of poverty, sickness, disability, accident, infirmity or other adversity.
SSAFA
National organisation which aids servicemen and their families in times of need, providing welfare and social work services, health care, housing.
Help for Heroes
At Help for Heroes, they believe those who serve their country deserve support when they’re wounded.
Every day, men and women have to leave their career in the Armed Forces as a result of physical or psychological wounds; their lives changed forever.
They help them, and those still serving, to recover and get on with their lives. They give them physical, psychological, financial and welfare support for as long as they need it. They also support their families, because they too can be affected by their loved one’s wounds.
Veterans UK
Including information and guidance on War Pensions, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, Commemorations, medals and veterans' issues.
White Ensign Association
The White Ensign Association is a Naval charity providing guidance on personal administration and finance to all Service and ex-Service personnel of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, and their Reserves
Royal Naval Benevolent Fund
RNBT provides financial assistance and support to Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel and their families in times of need. RNBT gives help, in cases of need, to serving and former Royal Naval ratings and Royal Marines other ranks; they are known as Primary Beneficiaries. They also help their partners, children and some others connected with them.
The Merchant Navy Association
At the core of their objectives is the recognition of the Merchant Navy Veterans and the critical and strategic role of the Merchant Navy in times of war and conflict. We must continue to acknowledge those seafarers. They must encourage a pride in our national maritime heritage and we must continue to present opportunities for future generations to heed the “call of the sea” and develop public awareness in future events.
Women's Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust
The WRNSBT [Registered Charity] was founded to help the women who served in the Women's Royal Naval Service.
The primary objective of the Trust is to provide relief in cases of necessity or distress among its members and their dependants. The Trust is also empowered, in suitable cases, to make grants for the education and training of members.
Not Forgotten Association
Through social activities and challenge holidays, The Not Forgotten combats isolation and loneliness amongst the Armed Forces community.
They support any serving man or woman who is wounded, injured or sick and any veteran with a disability, illness or infirmity; whatever the cause and whenever it arose. Any serving or former member of The Royal Navy, The Royal Marines, The British Army, The Royal Air Force and The Merchant Navy, both Regular and Reserve Forces, may be eligible for their help.
Forgotten Veterans UK
FVUK are Changing the World for Veterans. Forgotten Veterans UK (FVUK) was awarded full charity status with the Charity Commission on 3rd November 2017 and was granted the Charity registration number of 1175556. FVUK is a Charity that commemorates, celebrates and assists the Service Veteran community and supports the Armed Services. They look back at the past wars and conflicts and remember the brave men and women who fought in them, some of whom lost their lives. They also look to the future in helping those in need.
Blind Veterans UK
Blind Veterans UK helps ex-Service men and women of every generation rebuild their lives after sight loss. Since 1915 we’ve provided rehabilitation, training, practical advice and emotional support to tens of thousands of blind veterans.
Blesma
Blesma is a unique association of 3,022 Members with a defining commitment to help them live independent and fulfilling lives after suffering the loss of limbs, use of limbs, sight, speech or hearing. Blesma works tirelessly to provide practical, emotional and financial support to injured veterans and their families and widows as they rebuild their lives.
If you have served in the British Armed Forces and have suffered life changing injury, either during or after your service you may be eligible for Blesma Membership.
Your injury does not need to have been sustained during combat, it could have happened during a training exercise or have been due to an accident or illness whilst serving.
Naval Children's Charity
The Naval Children’s Charity has been helping Naval Children since 1825. They are based in Portsmouth and help Naval families and children all around the UK and the Commonwealth. They have caseworkers who work directly with families and we also work closely with NS FPS, SSAFA and other Naval Charities.
Sailors Children's Society
Families come to us usually after a traumatic event such as bereavement, diagnosis of a terminal illness or the breakdown of a marital relationship. They provide ongoing support for the children until the family is again self-sufficient or until the children have left full time education. All the families we help are on a means tested benefit which ensures they only help those in most need.
Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity
Beneficiaries lie at the heart of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity's purpose, it is their duty to remain focused on their needs. Since 2007, they have funded projects and facilities that boost morale for those who serve today. They also distribute millions of pounds annually to military charities which care for the children, families and veterans of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.
Combat Stress
Combat Stress, is the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health. For over a century, they have helped former servicemen and women with mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression.
Today they provide specialist treatment and support for veterans from every service and conflict, focusing on those with complex mental health issues.
COBSEO
Cobseo, as the Confederation of Service Charities, provides a single point of contact for interaction with Government, including local government and the Devolved Administrations; with the Royal Household; with the Private Sector; and, of course, with other members of the Armed Forces Community. This allows Cobseo Members to interact with all interested parties and especially to cooperate and collaborate with others in order to provide the best possible level of support to beneficiaries. A full list of other organisations who are members is available from their website.
Conclusion
This list is not exhaustive and has been compiled from many sources, mainly google searches. As a service family, you have many charities who may help you in times of need, please remember that you are not alone and there are people willing to help you. LABRATS can help you with this search for help by signposting you to a number of organisations, depending on your need and service. Please ask for help at anytime. You are not forgotten.
The quickest and easiest way to find help is to visit the Veterans Gateway. Either online at https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/ or call 0808 802 1212. They have an app for you to find local help in your area. Most UK service charities are registered on the Veterans Gateway.