Armed Forces Community Support

Armed Forces Community

If you are part of the British Armed Forces community or supporting anyone from the Armed Forces community then this information is for you.

We offer various healthcare services, including community and specialist mental health care, to residents of Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich.

In line with our values and the NHS’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant Duty, we strive to ensure that current and former members of the British Armed Forces and their families do not face disadvantages in accessing our services. Special consideration is given to those who have sacrificed the most, including the injured and bereaved.

As a Veteran Aware trust accredited by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance, we work to reduce barriers for the Armed Forces community. We train our staff on Armed Forces culture and the unique challenges faced by service members to better meet their needs.

To help us provide the right support, please inform your GP about your Armed Forces status and any health issues related to your service. This can be included in your referral. Many GP practices are becoming Veteran Friendly Accredited, if yours isn’t, you can suggest they look into this option.

We support the Armed Forces community through the Step into Health program, which offers guidance for NHS jobs.

Through Step into Health you can connect with NHS organisations for training opportunities, work placements, insight days, and application support. The program offers a clear pathway to a career in the NHS. Create a profile and select Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust to connect with us.

For help, call our recruitment team at 01322 625900 and ask for the Armed Forces and Veteran Coordinator.

View our latest jobs

Once employed, you'll have access to support from our Armed Forces & Veteran Coordinator and staff community. We support Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers with policies to accommodate their training commitments and have earned a Gold Award in the Employer Defence Recognition Scheme.

We’re committed to continually improving the services and support we offer to serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families by:

Identifying members of the military community using our services to make sure they receive treatment in line with the Armed Forces covenant
Training our staff on the specific needs and culture of the Armed Forces community
Appointing Armed Forces champions to make sure we deliver on our promises
Acting as a forces-friendly employer by participating in a range of appropriate schemes
Building strong connections with military welfare services and charitable organisations to provide continuity of care
Asking for feedback to improve our services through our Armed Forces Community survey

If you are accessing healthcare through Oxleas, please let us know if you or a close family member has ever served in the Armed Forces, so we can help you get you the support you need.

Get in touch

We welcome any suggestions or feedback on how we can enhance our support for the Armed Forces community, including the organisations that assist them.

Please reach out to us on: oxl-tr.armedforcescoord@nhs.net

Useful resources

We have provided information on useful organisations that offer support to the Armed Forces community and their families.

Useful armed forces specific NHS healthcare services information:

NHS services for armed forces community
Op Courage London, a mental health and wellbeing service
Op Restore, physical health and wellbeing service, accessed through GP referral
Op Community, support for the armed forces community
Op Fortitude , support if you're at risk of or experiencing homelessness
Op Nova, support if you're in contact with the criminal justice system for emotional and practical support.

Defence Medical Welfare Services, provide practical and emotional support
Walking With The Wounded, provide social support and care co-ordination for veterans receiving healthcare.

The NHS Armed Forces Health Podcast, provides information on the NHS services available to you - from leaving service to finding a GP and how to take care of your mental/physical health and provisions for your families.
The Beyond the Battle Field Podcast, explores the latest advancements in the health and wellbeing of military personnel, veterans and their families.

Bromley Football Club, veterans hub free monthly drop-in
The Comedy School, for veterans
Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Clubs, come together, share stories, get support and enjoy a hearty breakfast.

Forces Connect, provide an easy-to-use and comprehensive directory of support for the Armed Forces community
The Samaritans Veterans, provide you with emotional support after your career in the Armed Forces

Veterans’ Gateway
Royal British Legion, provide lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families
SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association), support the Armed Forces community no matter what the challenge.
Help For Heroes, offers a range of support from mental health, wellbeing, financial troubles, housing or applying for benefits
Armed Forces Network, resources and guidance for those in Sussex, Kent and Medway

Help in a crisis (Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust), is a 24 hour mental health crisis line service for residents across the boroughs of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich
Needing time to talk (Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust), easy read information for Veterans who are struggling with mental health
problems. The team provide ‘talking therapies’
The Samaritans, a listening ear 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and the Samaritans Veterans App
Royal Star & Garter - Telephone Friendship Service: telephone friends provide friendly, casual conversation and wellbeing support.
Combat Stress, a mental health charity that offers a 24/7 helpline: 0800 1381619 or text 07537 173683
London Op Courage , a mental health and wellbeing service to support the provision of services in the local area
Help For Heroes, a mental health support for veterans
Icarus, mental health support for serving personnel, veterans and their families
Togetherall, peer-to-peer mental health support platform that is clinically moderated. For British Military, veterans and their families
The Warrior Programme, a programme for present and past serving personnel and their families to manage their emotions and motivation to succeed in today’s world
Suicide Bereavement UK, ‘At Your Side’ guides for those bereaved by suicide
Beacon Counselling Trust, offers support to those facing gambling harms.

Armed Forces community rehabilitation pack
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, enabling limbless veterans to lead independent and fulfilling lives
Blind Veterans UK, helps vision impaired ex-service men and women to rebuild their lives after sight loss
UK Veterans Hearing Foundation
Help for Heroes – H4H, provide veterans with carefully tailored and holistic support for their physical and mental health, along with their welfare and social needs

Salute Her, gender specific service for female veterans
Women’s Royal Army Corps Association, provides support to all past and present serving women by fostering mutual friendships and benevolence
Association of Wrens and Women of the Royal Navel Services, established in 1920 by World War I veterans to keep the spirit of service alive.

Fighting With Pride, support for LBGTQ+ veterans, serving personnel and their families
The Royal British Legion LGBTQ+ and Allied Branch, provides comradeship and support whilst reflecting, recognising and remembering those who did not enjoy the freedoms we are privileged to have today.

The Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT), GWT provide financial, medical development aid to Gurkha veterans and their families
SSAFA Gurkha Services, provide local volunteers with up to date information, awareness and translation services
English/Nepalese Healthcare Cue Cards
Gurkha/Nepalese Healthcare Toolkit

Army Families Federation, supports army families worldwide
Naval Families Federation, helps Royal Navy and Royal Marine families to thrive
Royal Air Forces Families Federation, helps to resolve challenges that arise from service life
The War Widows’ Association, is an organisation for widows and widowers of Armed Forces Personnel where death has been caused by or hastened by service
Give Us Time, provides families with respite breaks to reconnect and reaffirm family bonds after deployments
The Ripple Pond, supports family members (adults) of physically or psychologically injured veterans as well as those within prisons
Scotties Little Soldiers, is a charity dedicated to supporting bereaved British Forces children and young people
Help For Heroes, supports families including children
Adfam, supports for family members of veterans and currently serving personnel with drug or alcohol problems.

Forces Employment Charity, provides life-long employment support for the Armed Forces community including spouses, partners and children
Walking With The Wounded, empowers and supports military veterans to build better lives after service
The Poppy Factory, supports veterans and family members on their journey into employment, helping them overcome any barriers
Forces Family Jobs, provides training, employment and volunteer roles for family members of currently serving UK military personnel
Royal British Legions Industries, provide employment through their social enterprise Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, to support veterans along with their families.

The Veterans Charity, support veterans battling with hardship
The Royal British Legion Grants, supports Armed Forces community who may need financial support
SSAFA Financial Planning Support, help serving Armed Forces and veterans manage their finances and future planning
Help For Heroes Grants, provide financial help and advice to members of the Armed Forces community.

Veterans’ Railcard, provides discounts on National Rail
Defence Discount Service, a discount service for the Armed Forces, veterans and the defence community.
Blue Light Card, provides those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces with discounts online and in-store.

Op Fortitude, supports a pathway for veterans at risk of, or experiencing homelessness, into supported housing or to keep them in their current home
Veterans’ Aid, works to reduce homelessness in ex-service men and women, supporting them every step of the way
Haig Housing – Homes for the veteran community, provides quality homes to improve the lives of veterans and their families in need
STOLL, is a leading provider of supported housing to vulnerable veterans.

Health-focused research and studies concerning the Armed Forces community.

The Middle East Area of Operations Health Study [pdf] 5MB
Kings Centre for Military Health Research: Office for Veterans’ Affairs Final Report — Health and Wellbeing Study of Serving and Ex-Serving UK Armed Forces Personnel: Phase 4
The Female Veterans Transformation Programme
Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT)/ Research Centre
Kings College Military Health Research
Research into hearing loss and Audio Processing Disorder in Veterans
Centre For Military Women’s Research

Back to top of page
Print this page
Email this page
Site map

Armed Forces Community Support

Search the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust website

Search the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust website

Search the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust website