Veteran Support

Ssafa Forces Help - South Yorkshire
SSAFA Central Office, 4 St Dunstan's Hill, London,
Our lifelong support for our Forces and their families is reflected in everything we do. So if you need help, we’ll be here for you, through thick and thin, until the job is done.
Contact SSAFA Central Office, 4 St Dunstan's Hill, London,
Phone: 0800 731 4880 Forces Line Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm
Website: http://www.ssafa.org.uk/about-us/
SSAFA is a charity that does whatever it takes to get things done. We provide practical support and assistance to servicemen and women, veterans, and the families of both, every single day of the year.
We provide lifelong support to those who are serving or have served in the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines or the Royal Air Force, and to their families. Founded in 1885, we’re extremely proud of our long-standing heritage and of all the work we do with inspiring people from South Yorkshire, across the UK and around the world.
Opening times: 10.00-12.00
Telephone number: 07483 214 925
If you’re unable to reach us, you can contact Forcesline on 0800 731 4880 between the hours of 09:00 and 17:30, Monday - Friday. If you need immediate help any other time, please contact Veteran's Gateway on 0808 802 1212.

Veteran Together Network- Nottinghamshire
Have you served in the Armed Forces? Are you over 65? Veterans Together Network can help you to get involved with projects and activities in your local community.
Contact
Phone: 0300 500 80 80- customer service
Website: https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-structure/supporting-armed-forces
DUE TO COVID19 PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE AND FOLLOW APPROPRIATE LINKS FOR INFORMATION REGARDING HOW TO GET IN TOUCH.
By joining the Veterans Together Network we can help you to get involved with projects and activities in your local community. For instance cookery classes, music sessions, gardening and art/history projects where you can create something, commemorate your time in the Armed Forces and share your story with others. You will also get the opportunity to join our existing well-being groups, develop your own or be sign-posted to community organisations that will meet your needs and open up your social circle.
Supporting armed forces
The County Council is a proud supporter of armed forces in Nottinghamshire. We have a long standing relationship with the local regular and reserve units, as well as the veterans and cadets.
We also bring together councillors, officers and representatives from the armed forces and military civilians charities to work on activities and issues.
This is led by Councillor Keith Girling who is the Armed Forces Champion.
"We should never forget the sacrifice and commitment shown by the men and women who serve and have served the nation, we are committed to supporting the whole armed forces community," Councillor Girling said.
Our support for armed forces includes:
- Armed Forces Covenant Strategy and Action Plan
- Nottinghamshire Community Covenant
- Veterans Information Network Nottinghamshire
- Veterans Together Network.
Groups held in:
Beeston
Canalside Heritage Centre
Weir Cottages
Canal Side
Beeston
Nottingham
NG9 1LZ
Every Thursday between 11.30am to 1.30pm.
Mansfield
- women's drop-in group - Tuesday afternoons 3.30pm to 5pm
- men's drop-in group - Thursday afternoons 3.30pm to 5pm.
William Kaye Hall
Ladybrook Community Centre
Ladybrook Lane
Mansfield
Nottinghamshire
NG18 5JJ
Netherfield
Loco Centre
139A Victoria Way
Netherfield
NG4 2PD
Every Wednesday 10.30am to 12.30pm
Let's Sing - Inter-generational Community Group bring the Community Together with Music
The Well Church & Community Centre Retford Nottinghamshire
This is an Intergenerational Group bringing the Community Together. People of all ages come together to learn from each other
Let's Sing - Inter-generational Community Group bring the Community Together with Music
The Well Church & Community Centre Retford Nottinghamshire

Thers time to chat, time to play & time to sing. Lots of Music & Fun
Everyone welcome
Every Thursday 1.00pm - 3.00 pm at The Well, North Road, Retford,
£4 pp - 1 child - Carer Free
Free refreshments
Royal Airforce Association - Befriending Service
Royal Airforce Association Atlas House Wembly Road Leicester
Our befriending serfvice pairs volunteers with veterans and their families who suffer from Loneliness and isolation
Royal Airforce Association - Befriending Service
Royal Airforce Association Atlas House Wembly Road Leicester

Contact Royal Airforce Association Atlas House Wembly Road Leicester
Email: volunteers@rafa.org.uk
Phone: 0800 018 2361
Right now, there are RAF veterans near you who are lonely and isolated. As a volunteer, you could step in to change that. It won’t take much of your time and it’s a great way to use your skills, give something back and feel good.

Nottinghamshire Help Yourself - Directory of Services
The Nottinghamshire Help Yourself website promote activities, help and support that are available in Nottinghamshire for local residents.
Contact
Email: enquiries@nottscc.gov.uk
Phone: 0300 500 80 80
Website: https://www.nottshelpyourself.org.uk/kb5/nottinghamshire/directory/home.page
This directory is maintained and operated by Nottinghamshire County Council.
If you need help using this directory or would like to contact us for more information, please get in touch with one of our friendly advisors using the details below:
Telephone: 0300 500 80 80
CSC minicom: 01623 434993
Email: enquiries@nottscc.gov.uk
We are open Monday – Friday 8:00am – 6:00pm.
If your query is specifically around SEND, please email local.offer@nottscc.gov.uk.
If your query is specifically for Supported Self Care, please call 0300 303 2600 or email selfcarehub@selfhelp.org.uk.
Mental Health Support Group Retford
17 Churchgate, Retford
This group meets weekly on a Wednesday in the Retford Library between 10.00 - 12.00. No appointment required
Support for Armed Forces Personnel
Support for Armed Forces Personnel.
Contact
Phone:
Armed Forces Day 2020
The Armed Forces Day flag has been proudly flying in Worksop and Retford market squares all week.
We would like to thank all members of the Armed Forces past and present for their service to our country and in our communities.
This year we celebrate our #MercianWarriors, past and present, and are grateful for all they have achieved this year through their continued selfless commitment and dedication to serve the nation. Working alongside NATO partners and other allies, they continue to deliver security at home and abroad. Adaptable and ready, most recently regular and reserve soldiers of The Mercian Regiment have been deployed across the country, assisting with the delivery of self-administered COVID-19 tests to those in need.
Leaving the armed forces can have a huge impact on your life and your family. Not only must you find a new job and housing, but also settle your family into schools, jobs and social activities.
A wide range of services are available from Bassetlaw District Council and our partner organisations that can help with your resettlement.
Bassetlaw District Council has marked its support for the local services community by adopting an Armed Forces Community Covenant.
The covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local armed forces representatives. It not only recognises the contribution of serving personnel, their families and veterans but importantly it identifies practical ways the Council can help them access support to help them adjust to life after leaving the services.
In turn, the armed forces promote ties with the local community and offer support wherever they can.
Other partners and local groups, have also signed up to the principles in the Community Covenant, including Nottinghamshire Police, local NHS services, Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue, Job Centre Plus, and BCVS on behalf of local voluntary and community services.
You can read the Bassetlaw Community Covenant for additional information.
There are a range of national and local support services listed here. There are also local organisations that welcome ex forces personnel and their families to join them.
The Armed Forces Champion for Bassetlaw is Councillor Tony Eaton.
A range of support services are also available from local and national organisations that will help to get you settled in to civilian life.
Royal British Legion
Royal British Legion (RBL) provides practical care, advice and support to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans of all ages and their families. The RBL run the Poppy Calls Handy Person Service which provides a service for small household repairs and minor adaptations around the home.
Looking for a job or training? Need advice about resettlement? Trying to work your way through the pensions minefield? You'll find a whole range of useful guides and contacts are available via the Royal British Legion's Civvy Street Website.
Soldier, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association
Soldier, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) provide financial, practical and emotional assistance to anyone that is currently serving or has ever served in the Army, Navy or RAF and their families. The local branch can be contacted on:
- Nottingham
- Telephone: 0115 9781623
- Email: nottinghamshire@ssafa.org.uk
- South Yorkshire
- Telephone: 07941 361210
- Email: south.yorkshire@ssafa.org.uk
Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
Veterans UK provides a range of services including a veterans advice helpline, a welfare service that will provide a dedicated caseworker to assist veterans and their families, links to other veteran charities offering advice and details of how to contact local veterans advisory and pensions committees who provide support to war pensioners and war widow(ers).
Joint Service Housing Advice Office
The role of Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO) is to provide specialist housing information and evidence to encourage service personnel (and their dependants) to consider their civilian housing options and assist the transition into civilian life.
Shelter
Shelter, the housing end homelessness charity provide specialist advice to Armed Forces and Ex-Services personnel.
Army Families Federation (AFF)
The Army Families Federation (AFF) is independent of the Army and offers confidential advice on a range of welfare issues including money matters and family life. AFF works at a local level directly with families and local command.
MOD Army
The MOD Army provides details on a range of welfare issues including deployment support for families, legal assistance and a dedicated Forcesline for confidential guidance.
Naval Families Federation
The Naval Families Federation lists organisations and charities that can help with a range of welfare issues, including bereavement and disability needs.
Royal Navy Equality & Diversity
The Royal Navy Equality & Diversity pages provides information to help serving personnel facing bullying, harassment or stress.
Help for Heroes
Help for Heroes can provide swift financial assistance and a long term support network. Our whole focus is supporting you and your family on the road to recovery.
- Royal British Legion - Retford Branch
The Branch meets at 19.30hrs on the first Monday of every month at the Babworth Sports & Social Club in Retford DN22 7NJ.
- Royal British Legion - Worksop Branch
The Branch meets at 19:30hrs the last Thursday of every month at: Kilton Forest Golf Club ,Blyth Road, Worksop, S81 0TL
-
Worksop Breakfast Club (WBC)
A group of veterans from Her Majesty's Armed Forces
Meets 10.00am -12noon every Saturday
at Yates, Victoria Square, Worksop. S80 1DXContact: Ian Hollis or Michelle Smith
-
Retford Breakfast Club (RBC)
A group of veterans from Her Majesty's Armed Forces
Meets 9.00am every Saturday
at the King and Miller, North Road, Retford. DN22 7XWContact: Denis Scaife
Email: retfordbreakfastclub@gmail.com
Looking for a job or training? Need advice about resettlement? Trying to work your way through the pensions minefield? You'll find a whole range of useful guides and contacts are available via the Royal British Legion's Civvy Street Website.
- The Royal British Legion (RBL) provides practical care, advice and support to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans of all ages and their families. The RBL run the Poppy Calls Handy Person Service which provides a service for small household repairs and minor adaptations around the home.
- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) provide financial, practical and emotional assistance to anyone that is currently serving or has ever served in the Army, Navy or RAF, and their families.
- Bassetlaw Citizens Advice Bureau provides a dedicated Money and Benefits advice service for veterans across Bassetlaw.
- The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency is responsible for pay and pensions provision.
- Finchale Veterans Service is a specialist training college which hosts a veterans support network and produces a Directory of Services. Finchale was founded in 1943 as a rehabilitation and resettlement centre for disabled servicemen.