Carers, the Armed Forces and Veterans Support
Charities and support organisations
The Ripplepond
Supporting adult family members of physically or psychologically wounded service personnel and veterans.
Op COURAGE
Mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists – NHS (www.nhs.uk) Mental health information and support for veterans, service leavers, reservists, families and carers.
The Poppy Factory
Supporting veterans with health conditions and their families into employment.
The Veterans UK Helpline
call 0808 1914 218 or email: [email protected]
Provides specific advice on compensation scheme claims and help with benefits, pensions, loans and grants, emergency accommodation, finding a job, re-training, health issues, welfare concerns, service records and medals.
The Veterans’ Gateway
call 0808 802 1212
They help veterans and their families find sources of support or information for any challenges that they might be facing, from healthcare and housing to employability and finances.
Help for Heroes
call 0300 303 9888 or email [email protected]
When conflict ends for some the battles don’t stop. Help for Heroes supports veterans and their families by giving life-changing support, no matter when or where they served.
Walking with the wounded
Empowering veterans by reigniting their sense of purpose, enabling them to make a positive contribution to their communities and lead independent lives.
SSAFA
call 0800 260 6767
The UK’s oldest tri-service military charity supporting current serving, veterans and their families.
Combat Stress
Supporting veterans mental health, they believe military trauma shouldn’t destroy the lives of veterans and their families. Help is available 24 hours a day via telephone on 0800 1381619 and text 07537173683.
Samaritans Armed Forces & Veterans Helpline
call 0808 175 3075
If you’re a veteran, serving member of the Armed Forces or a family member and need someone to talk to, we listen and won’t judge or tell you what to do. Our dedicated helpline provides a safe and non-judgemental space for people who have served in the Armed Forces to talk about their experiences.
Confederation of Service Charities
A directory of 65 military/veteran charities.
Armed Forces Carer Support
Serving personnel with caring responsibilities can access the Armed Forces Carer’s Passport which helps service personnel balance care responsibilities with work needs.
NHS Barnet Talking Therapies
Call 0808 175 3075
[email protected]
We provide a confidential and free service for anyone who is experiencing problems with their mood, feeling stressed, unhappy and unsatisfied with how their life is going. Our service is accessible to anyone who is registered with a GP in Barnet or Enfield. You do not need to see your GP, self-referral is available via the website or from Barnet Carers Centre. Veterans are prioritised for this service.
Supporting you
Who is a veteran or service leaver?
Veterans are defined as anyone who has served for at least one day in His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Regular or Reserve (previously known as the Territorial Army or TA) or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show 3,917 people in Barnet said they were a veteran at the time of the census.
Since 2022 all NHS trusts and local authorities have a legal obligation regarding principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. Barnet Carers Centre have chosen to commit to the Armed Forces Covenant and ‘recognise the contribution that service personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our organisation, our community and to the country’. Barnet Carers Centre is committed to upholding the principles that:
- Members of the Armed Forces Community should not face disadvantages arising from their service in the provision of public and commercial services.
- In some circumstances, special provision may be justified, especially for those who have given the most, such as the injured or bereaved.
If you require further support or advice for yourself or someone you care for, please contact Barnet Carers Centre Armed Forces/Veterans link, Kirsty Kemp on:
02039951909
How we can help
Carers Needs Assessments
A Carers Needs Assessment can help you get the support you need. It takes less than an hour and can be done over the telephone. Book one today at a time that is convenient to you.
Events for Carers
We run lots of events for carers so come and get involved. From Yoga and Mindfulness to coffee mornings, there is something for everyone – and if there is something that you would like us to put on, just let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your wishes. Check out our events calendar.
Expert support
Our expert Adult Carer support staff have years of experience in helping carers get the help they need. Whether you are brand new to caring or have been doing it for some time, if you need a hand, contact them and arrange a call.
