Forward Assist is charity that facilitates ‘post traumatic growth’ for military veterans with combat experience and unresolved trauma issues, providing support and guidance to former servicemen and women experiencing difficulties in adjusting to a new life as a civilian. They specialise in working with unemployed veterans and those with direct experience of homelessness, involvement with the criminal justice system, family breakdown and/or chronic social exclusion. They use community benefit projects to give military veterans a sense of purpose, belonging, identity and direction. These projects provide veterans with an opportunity to utilise their transferable skills and benefit the communities in which they live. They have a weekly drop in and associated activities include fishing, archery, gym sessions, photography and model making. The activities promote mental and physical well-being, but also facilitate an opportunity to consult with Forward Assist staff and other veterans to develop needs led services and interventions. A veterans drop in is held every Tuesday morning and there is a welfare benefits adviser who can give veterans a full benefits check. Forward Assist also has a gender specific group aimed at addressing the needs of women.
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen Families Association (SSAFA Forces Help)
British Army, Welfare and Support