Christmas came early on Monday, when the doors of 10 Downing Street were opened for a special Children’s Party.
Joining the festive celebrations were two military families who adopted through SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
Attendees included an Army veteran and his partner and a RAF family. Both couples adopted two siblings, a boy and a girl in 2014 and have continued to be supported by SSAFA’s Post-Adoption Support service. The children are aged 7, 8, 9 and 10 years old.
Read moreDamaris Media and SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity join forces for ‘Darkest Hour’
Damaris Media and SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, have partnered on the release of Darkest Hour (in cinemas 12th January). To celebrate, two of SSAFA’s WWII veterans were given the red carpet treatment at the premiere on 11 December before watching the film. Both veterans attend the SSAFA Southend Veteran’s Club, which runs every Thursday.
Read moreThe Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund has awarded a grant of £80,000 in September 2017 toward SSAFA’s Casework service and other services that alleviate need, suffering and distress.
Casework sits at the heart of SSAFA’s work and provides personalised, holistic support to those currently serving, reserves, ex-service men and women, and their families. In recent years their Casework service has seen increasing numbers of working age beneficiaries requiring help. These beneficiaries have complex needs, including financial hardship, mental wellbeing issues, inadequate housing and lack of employment.
Read moreFormer Minister of State for the Armed Forces and current MP for Rayleigh and Wickford attended the weekly session
On Thursday 30th November, the Southend Veterans’ Club welcomed Mark Francois, Conservative MP for Rayleigh and Wickford.
The visit was part of Mark’s ongoing commitment and personal interest in the military community, which he is closely affiliated with.
Read moreGeorge Ward, a 90 year old helped by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity enjoyed a day on the ship where he served
George ‘Sharky’ Ward, from Caversham in Berkshire, fulfilled his wish to return to the ship where he served in the Royal Navy. The ship played a big part in his time posted in Egypt in the 1950’s – and brings back many memories.
During his 14 years in the Royal Navy, George was posted in many locations including the Mediterranean and Africa. Serving at the rank of Petty Officer, he was a Naval Gunner.
Read moreLeft Right Left, the new military memories supplement inside of resettlement magazine, Pathfinder International, has launched a festive campaign for relatives of loved ones away in the Armed Forces over the Christmas period, in which they can send in their messages of good will.
The campaign entitled “Jingle Comms – Festive messages for the Forces” will see Left Right Left ask for family members of serving troops to submit their messages of support for personnel away on operations or detachments over the festive period.
Read moreSSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is delighted to announce that Jonathan Sandall has been appointed as its new Director of Fundraising. Jonathan will join SSAFA on Monday 20 November 2017.
Jonathan is the former Director of Fundraising at Peabody, an organisation addressing poverty, isolation and vulnerability in communities across London. He has also held senior fundraising and business development roles at Shelter and Make-A-Wish UK.
Read moreKerry Riley, SSAFA Health Visitor for Episkopi Cyprus and Kenya BATUK, has been delivering excellent health care support for SSAFA since March 2017. Her passion is seeing the difference that her work makes to the military community on a daily basis.
After seeing and applying for a new role being advertised, Cyprus-based Kerry has recently also been appointed as Public Health Technical Advisor for the World Health Organisation for a part-time role. This will entail promoting new guidance whilst also running alongside her current vital work with SSAFA.
Read moreSince striking up their partnership in 2015, Britain’s digital network business Openreach have raised nearly £100k for SSAFA, the UK’s oldest Armed Forces charity.
Graham Barnard, Openreach employee goes beyond the call of duty:
Dougie is a 92 year old veteran living in Southend, who has always been very proud of his appearance and has a bountiful collection of shoes and clothes. He lives in a warden controlled studio flat, so space is a premium and, up until recently, he didn’t have any bedroom furniture to store his clothing in. The lack of storage meant that Dougie’s flat was very cluttered, which made his home a trip hazard for him.
The new team managing the Gurkha Services project at SSAFA is now in place. The initiative is funded by money from the Libor banking fines. Their aim is to work with all SSAFA local branches and divisions, where there is a Gurkha community, to share best practice and useful information and provide relevant training – ultimately to improve the provisions in place for Gurkhas and their families.
More information: According to the Gurkha Welfare Trust, there are an estimated 12,794 retired Gurkha’s settled in the UK with their families. Our experience shows that Gurkha veterans have complex needs, including many who are elderly and infirm with low literacy levels.
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Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here
