Armed Forces local/national support

Find information below on local and national support for our armed forces community.

Local support

Arun District Council

We have armed forces champions within key departments who link in with local support groups.

For homelessness enquiries visit the Civic Centre, Littlehampton or Bognor Regis Town Hall to be connected to a member of the housing options team, information can also be found on our homeless or at risk of page.

Phone 01903 737500

If you have an armed forces enquiry please email safeguarding@arun.gov.uk. Our armed forces champion can then help you to access the correct department.

Blind Veterans UK

Helping ex-service personnel to rebuild lives after sight loss.

The south coast centre is based in Rustington and provides wellbeing support and rehabilitation to blind veterans.

Phone 0800 389 7979 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

(excluding bank holidays)

https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/

Crimsham Veterans Hub

For veterans, by veterans. Support includes financial/budgeting,

mental health/counselling, education, training, employment, and a veterans breakfast club.

Phone 07842 000 476 available 24/7

Email forces@crimsham-farm.co.uk

Littlehampton and Bognor Regis Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club

Support includes help with transport getting to the breakfast club or appointments, social activities, loneliness and wellbeing, foodbank voucher assistance.

Phone 07728 760 246

For Littlehampton email info@littlehamptonafvbc.org.uk

For Bognor Regis email info@bognorregisafvbc.org.uk

Bognor Regis RAFA branch & club

Membership available for veterans, serving personnel from all HM Armed Forces and for those in our community who support our cause. Offering wellbeing activities, advice, support and a monthly veterans breakfast.

Address: 19 Waterloo Square, Bognor Regis, PO21 1TE (open daily)

Phone 01243 865 615

Email: clubmanager@rafa381.co.uk

National support

Apply for an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card

An HM Armed Forces Veteran Card is a way to prove that you served in the UK armed forces. The card can make it quicker and easier to apply for support as a veteran.

Apply for an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Forces Employment

Provide life-long, life changing support, jobs and training opportunities to veterans, irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.

Phone 0121 262 3058

Email info@forcesemployment.org.uk

https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/

Op Community

A dedicated email and phone number for the armed forces community (including family members and carers of those serving or who have served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces)

Phone 01273 403 693 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Email afn.admin@nhs.net

Op Courage

The veterans mental health and wellbeing service. The first call for help takes courage.

Phone 0300 365 200 (option 4)

Email gateway@berkshire.nhs.uk

https://www.opcouragesoutheast.nhs.uk/

If you experience a mental health crisis you can get help by phoning 111, booking an emergency GP appointment, visiting A&E or calling 999.

If you are still serving you can phone the military mental health helpline on 0800 323 4444

Op Fortitude

Funded by the armed forces covenant to deliver a centralised referral pathway to end veteran homelessness. Working with individual veterans at risk or experiencing homelessness, supporting into suitable accommodation or supporting them to maintain their current home.

Phone 0800 952 0774

https://www.riverside.org.uk/care-and-support/veterans/opfortitude/

Op Nova

A support for veterans who have come into contact with the justice system, providing personalised practical and emotional support.

Phone 0800 917 729

https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/programmes/op-nova/

Op Restore

Veterans physical health and wellbeing service.

GP referral to central hub on imperial.oprestore@nhs.net

Royal British Legion

Providing support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families. From advice and guidance, to recovery and rehabilitation, through to transitioning to civilian life

Phone 0808 802 8080

https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/who-we-help

SSAFA – the armed forces charity

Support includes financial assistance, welfare and housing advice, and mentoring.

Phone 0800 260 6767

https://www.ssafa.org.uk/

Online contact form https://www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/forcesline

Live chat also available

Walking with the Wounded (WWTW)

Support with employment, mental health care and volunteering

https://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/

Online contact form https://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/ask-for-help/

RAF Association

The charity that supports the RAF Family. Providing welfare support for all RAF beneficiaries and facilities on RAF Stations to support personnel and their families.

Phone: 0800 018 2361

Email: enquiries@rafa.org.uk

RAFA website