To help you find other resources you might need we’ve created this page.  It is not absolutely comprehensive.  If you think we have missed out an important organisation, or would like us to add yours, please email us.

Please note SSAFA Forces Help and the Catterick In-Service Committee are not responsible for the content of linked websites and do not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them.  We cannot guarantee that these links or external websites will work all of the time and emphasise that we do not endorse, warrant or guarantee in any way the products, services or information offered or provided within them. 

Alcohol Helpline                                                                    Tel: 0800 917 822

• Advice, information and support for anyone concerned about their own or someone else’s drinking. 

Alcoholics Anonymous                                                         Tel: 0845 7697555

• If alcohol is costing you more than money call in complete confidence.

Bereavement (Child)                                                            Tel: 0800 282 986

• For anyone affected by the death of a child.

SSAFA Bungalows, Cottages & Appartments                 Website: www.ssafa.org.uk/

• SSAFA has 36 purpose built bungalows for disabled ex-Service men and women and their spouses. They are located at Blackpool, Barnsley, Wantage and Ryde. Application for residency should be made to the Housing Department at Central Office.
• SSAFA also has 5 one-bedroom apartments for vulnerable widows, widowers, or single ex-Servicemen or women in need of ground floor accommodation that do not need adaptations. Application for residency should be made to the Housing Department at Central Office.

Careline                                                                                 Tel: 020 8514 1177

• Counselling service on a wide range of issues for the general public.

Carers                                                                                    Tel: 0800 808 7777

• Advice and help for Carers.  Wednesday/Thursday Only 10am - Noon & 2pm – 4pm

Childline                                                                                 Tel: 0800 1111                                                                                                                                               Website: www.childline.org.uk

• For children and young people up to the age of 18, who are distressed, in danger, being abused or have any other problems.

Citizens Advice Bureau                                                         Tel: 01748 826532

• Local Contact: Mrs Janet Menzies.  Dedicated Military service on debt advice (sponsored by The Royal British Legion).

Commonwealth War Graves Commission                           Website: www.cwgc.org

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is responsible for marking and maintaining the graves of those members of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars, for building and maintaining memorials to the dead whose graves are unknown and for providing records and registers of these 1.7 million burials and commemorations found in most countries throughout the world.

Cruse Bereavement Care                                                    Tel:  0208 939 9552 

                                                                                                 Website: www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk

                                                                                                 Email: sarah@crusebereavementcare.org.uk                                                                                                   Fax: 0208 948 7638

• Anyone can contact Cruse if they want to talk about themselves or someone they know who has been affected by a death.

Defence Housing – York                                                       Tel: 0800 169 6322 or 01904 418000

Disability and Carers Service                                               Website: www.dwp.gov.uk

• Disability and Carers Service (DCS) is part of the Department for Work and Pensions. We help disabled people and carers to lead independent lives by administering and delivering, disability benefits, providing advice on benefits, and supporting the Government's commitment to increasing the inclusion of disabled people in society. We also work closely with disability and carers' organisations, helping them in their work with disabled people.

Drugs (Frank)                                                                        Tel: 0800 776600

• Information about drugs and solvents for those who use them and for any concerned person.

EntitledTo                                                                               Website: www.entitledto.co.uk

• EntitledTo provides free calculators to help you work out your entitlement to benefits and tax credits. Follow the links to see what you could claim.

Gay & Lesbian Helpline                                                       Tel: 020 7837 7324

• Support & information for gay men & women.

Help the Aged                                                                       Tel: 0808 800 6565

• Welfare benefits advice for older people.

Holiday Care                                                                          Tel:  0845 124 9971

                                                                                                 Fax: 0845 124 9972                 

                                                                                                 Website: www.holidaycare.org.uk

                                                                                                 Email: info@holidaycare.org

7th Floor, Sunley House
4 BedfordPark
CROYDON
Surrey
CR0 2AP

• If you are a disabled or older person with an interest in travel and holidays this site is for you. Our charity has more than 20 years' experience in helping disabled people.

Housing Advisory Service                                                     Tel: 020 7463 9398

                                                                                                  (Salisbury Military Ext. 2400) 
              Fax: 01722 436577

SSAFA Forces Help's Housing Advisory Service
c/o JSHAO
HQ Land Command
Wilton
Salisbury
SP2 0AG

• The Housing Advisory Service provides information and advice on a wide range of housing matters, for ex-Service personnel, their families and dependants. It holds extensive information on housing providers and the housing strategies of every Local Authority in the UK. It also has a database listing establishments and organisations that have an affiliation to the ex-Service community.  Clients in need of housing assistance should complete an Information Proforma. This is available from the Housing Officer (Information).

Immigration Advisory Service                                              Tel: 020 7378 9191

• Service for people who have any immigration problems.

Joblinks                                                                                   Website: www.joblinks.org.uk

• Joblinks is a campaign run by the Occupational Benevolent Funds Alliance, a network of charities who provide a wide range of support services for people with connections to particular industries, trades and professions.

Local Authorities

• Richmondshire District Council                                 Tel: 01748 829100
• Darlington Borough Council                                       Tel: 01325 380651

Merchant Navy Welfare Board                                            Tel: (02380) 337799 

                                                                                                Fax: (02380) 634444

Chief Executive: Captain D A Parsons                              Email:  enquiries@mnwb.org.uk    

                                                                                                Website: www.mnwb.org.uk

30 Palmerston Road
Southampton
SO14 1LL

• Co-ordinates the work of charities caring for Merchant Navy and Deep Sea Fishermen and their families. Can advise on the services of all its members (including length of service required); acts as clearing house for grant applications and elderly seafarers' accommodation. Does not itself provide financial support to individuals.

Ministry of Defence (MOD) Medal Office                          Tel: 01452 712612 ext 8149

                                                                     Website: www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/

AFPAA (JPAC) 

MOD Medal Office
Building 250
RAF Innsworth
Gloucester
GL3 1HW

• Lost and stolen medals can be replaced.

National Blood Service                                                        Tel: 08457 711 711

• Donor enquiries and enrolment.

National Debt Line                                                                Tel: 0808 808 4000

• For anyone with money problems.

National Domestic Violence Helpline                                 Tel: 0808 2000 247

• Run in partnership with Refuge and Women’s Aid provides accommodation for women experiencing domestic violence.  

NHS Direct                                                                            Tel: 0845 4647

• Confidential health advice and information.

NSPCC                                                                                 Tel:  0800 800 5000

• For anyone concerned about a child or young person at risk of abuse.

Parentline                                                                               Tel: 0808 800 2222

• Support for anyone in a parenting role.

Passport Adviceline                                                              Tel: 0870 521 0410

                                                                                                 Website:  www.passport.gov.uk

• Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.  A single point of contact for advice on passport issues or problems.

RAF & Dependants Disabled Holdiay Trust                       Email : ddht@blueyonder.co.uk

                                                                                                 Website : www.rafddht.org.uk

• The Trust exists to make it possible for serving and ex-RAF personnel, or members of their families and dependants, who are severely disabled, to take holidays at home or overseas on equal terms with able-bodied people.

Rail                                                                                          Tel: 08457 48 49 50

• For all train timetables, fare and general enquiries.

Regular Forces Employment Association                          Tel: 0121 2360058

                                                                                                 Tel: 08700 940795

                                                                                                 Website:  www.rfea.org.uk

HEAD OFFICE
RFEA LIMITED
1st Floor Mountbarrow House
6-20 Elizabeth Street
London
SW1W 9RB

• This national association, with some twenty four Branches throughout UK, exists to help men and women leaving the Armed Forces to find employment throughout their working lives.

Royal Air Force Funds                                                         Tel: (0116) 266 5224 

                                                                                                Email: tricia.freer@rafa.org.uk
Cental Headquarters                                                            Website:  www.rafa.org.uk

117½ Loughborough Road
Leicester
LE4 5ND

• Incorporated for the promotion of welfare by charitable means for those serving or who have served in HM Air Forces and their dependants. Advice and assistance are given to all who are eligible on all aspects of welfare, pensions, disability awards, civilian employment.  Welfare facilities include a Nursing and Convalescent Home, Supportive and Sheltered Housing.  Honorary Welfare Officers act as a link with the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

Royal Naval Association                                                     Tel: (Reception).02392 723823

                                                                                               Website: www.royal-naval-association.co.uk

Association Headquarters                                                  Fax: 02392 723371

Room 209
SemaphoreTower
PP70
HM Naval Base
PORTSMOUTH
PO1 3LT

• Grants up to £1000, Pensions advice, Publications, Welfare, Social Clubs.  Applications should be submitted through the General Secretary.

Royal Navy & Royal Marines Funds                                    Tel: (02392) 547201

                                                                                                 Fax: (02392) 547207

                                                                                                 Email: admin@royalmarinesregimental.co.uk

                                                                                                 Website: www.royalmarinesofficialsite.co.uk

HMS EXCELLENT
WhaleIsland
Portsmouth
PO2 8ER

• The principal purpose of the Fund is to benefit all ranks who are serving or who have served in the Royal Marines, or their dependants, to relieve need, hardship or distress.  Matters concerning Officers and serving Royal Marines and their dependants should be referred to the RM Corps Secretary.   Matters concerning retired Warrant Officers, NCOs and Marines and their dependants should be referred to the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust.

Samaritans                                                                            Tel: 08457 90 90 90 

                                                                                                Website: www.samaritans.org.uk

• Confidential emotional support helpline for anyone in crisis.

Social Services

• Richmond                                                                     Tel: 0845 872374
• Northallerton                                                                 Tel: 01609 779999

SSAFA Forces Help Stepping Stone Homes                    Website: www.ssafa.org.uk

SSAFA Forces Help Longside                                            Email: longside@ssafa.org.uk
PO Box 82
Blaydon LDO
NE21 6YY

SSAFA Forces Help Gildea                                                 Email: gildea@ssafa.org.uk
PO Box 301
Pinner
HA5 4XN

• There are two "Stepping Stone Homes", Longside House situated in Tyne & Wear, and Gildea House in North West London. They offer temporary accommodation to separated Service and ex-Service families, as well as support, help and assistance in finding a permanent home. They also provide the time and space in which a separated family can reflect before reconciling a difficult marital situation. Other categories of resident can be catered for, including any woman, with or without children, who will be homeless, is about to be evicted with nowhere to go, or is in need of emergency accommodation. Widows of serving or ex-Service personnel also qualify. Further details, including eligibility criteria, leaflets, posters, application forms, and a videotape, are available from the Staff Officer Branch Support at Central Office, to whom all referrals must be directed. Application Forms and leaflets are also held by SSAFA Forces Help Social Workers.

The Forces Store                                                                 Website: www.theforcesstore.co.uk

• The Forces Store is run by forces families for forces families. They send food parcels, homemade cakes, gifts and games to deployed British troops across the globe. They also send flowers and treats to the families back home that wait for them. Each one of their parcels is packed with care and tracked right up until signed delivery.
  

The Pension Service                                                             Website: www.thepensionservice.gov.uk

                                                                                                 Tel: 0845 60 60 265

                                                                                                 Tel: 0845 60 60 275 (in Welsh) 

• Telephone lines open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 8.00pm.  If you have speech or hearing difficulties, a textphone service is available on 0845 60 60 285 (0845 60 60 295 for Welsh language).
• This Government website provides information about pensions and pensioner benefits, for those planning for the future, about to retire or already retired.

The Royal British Legion                                                      Tel: 020 7973 7200

                                                                                                 Fax: 020 7973 7360
48 Pall Mall                                                                             Email: info@britishlegion.org.uk

London                                                                                    Website: www.britishlegion.org.uk

SW1Y 5JY

• The Royal British Legion provides assistance worldwide (except in Scotland) in a number of ways. In England and Wales this assistance is accessed through the CountyField Officers. Advice may also be sought from the Legionline on 0345 725 725.

The Royal British Legion Line                                              Tel: 08457 725 725 (local rate)

                                                                                                 Tel: overseas: +44 (0)20 7973 7200 (full rate)

• Legion line is the Legion's Helpline and Information Point which is open to all members of the general public.  Lines are manned 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

The Royal British Legion Scotland                                       Tel: 0131-557 2782

                                                                                                  Fax: 0131-557 5819
New Haig House
Logie Green Road
Edinburgh
EH7 4HR

• The Royal British Legion Scotland is a separate charity which provides comradeship for ex-Service personnel in Scotland through its network of Branches. It does not provide individual welfare grants; in Scotland these are the province of the Earl Haig Fund

The Royal Homes                                                                 Tel: 020 8946 5182

                                                                                                Website: www.theroyalhomeswimbledon.org

The Manager                                                                         Email: rhowd_qac@ssafa.org.uk
Queen Alexandra's Court
St Mary's Road
Wimbledon
London
SW19 7DE

• Queen Alexandra’s Court in Wimbledon has 76 self-contained, unfurnished apartments in mansion-style blocks set in 4 acres, for women who are the widows, divorcees or single daughters of Officers or Warrant Officers, or women who are retired Officers or Warrant Officers of all branches of the Armed Forces.  Applicants will not normally be admitted before the age of 60, and they must be capable of Independent living.  There is a resident Manager and two Assistant Managers (Maintenance and Residents).  Residents pay a standard maintenance charge.  The less well off may apply to the Royal Homes for discretionary grants.

The Single Persons Accommodation Centre                   Tel: 01748 833797                          

 for the Ex Services (SPACES)                                          Fax: 01748 835774

                                                                                                Website: www.spaces.org.uk

Regional Resettlement Centre
St. Aidan's Road
Catterick Garrison
Catterick,
North Yorkshire
DL9 3AY

• A project based within the Resettlement / Welfare complex at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. It provides an accommodation placement service for single personnel being discharged from all three services

TV licensing                                                                           Tel: 0844 800 6772

                                                                                                Website: www.tvlicensing.co.uk

• Purchase, renew or alter your licence.

Veterans Agency (SPVA)                                                    Tel: 0800 169 22 77

                                                                                                Fax:01253 330561

            Website:  www.veterans-uk.info

            Email: veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk

Norcross
Blackpool
FY5 3WP

• The formation of SPVA will gradually lead to the provision of a fully integrated set of ‘through life’ personnel services to our serving and veterans community -  where a single contact with the Agency will grant access to customer information and advice on pay, pensions, compensation payments, records of service and medal entitlement.