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 provide a range of healthcare services, including community healthcare and specialist mental health services to people living in Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich.
Our work is guided by four key values: We’re kind, we’re fair, we listen, we care.
In keeping with our values, the NHS’ commitment to the Armed Forces covenant, the Armed Forces Covenant Duty and NHS England’s commitments to the Armed Forces community, we do everything we can to ensure that members of our community who serve, or have served in the British Armed Forces and their families do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in accessing our services. In certain circumstances, special consideration is given, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
As a Veteran Aware trust, that has been accredited by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance, we work hard to reduce barriers to accessing our care by the Armed Forces community.
We also train our staff in Armed Forces community specific culture and raise awareness around the unique challenges forces life can bring to help them better meet the needs of service users from this group.
To facilitate us in providing the correct support, it is beneficial to let the GP you are registered with know about your Armed Forces community status and if you consider your health challenge to be related to service in the British Armed Forces in any way to discuss this with them, so that it can be stated in your referral if appropriate. Many GP practices are becoming Veteran Friendly Accredited to support the Armed Forces community. If your GP practice is not yet accredited, you may request that they consider becoming so.
Find out more information on the Veteran Friendly Accreditation.
If you have any suggestions or feedback on how we can improve our support for the Armed Forces community please email us: oxl-tr.armedforcescoord@nhs.net
Working for us as a member of the Armed Forces community
We are a supportive employer of the Armed Forces community and are pledged to the Step into Health programme, providing support and guidance to Armed Forces community members interested in employment opportunities within the NHS.
The Step into Health website provides an insight into the wide variety of roles within the NHS including non-clinical roles such as project management, communications, administration, estates and facilities to name a few.
There are sections one the Step into Health website with application and interview tips and a variety of free insight events. If you are a member of the Armed Forces community (Service Leaver, Veteran, Reservist, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer or immediate family member) and are interested in a role within the NHS, create a profile on the Step into Health portal to be connected to employers like us. Be sure to select Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust from the organisational options and we will connect with you to offer guidance and support.
You can also call our recruitment team on 01322 625900 and ask for the Armed Forces and Veteran Co-ordinator to get in touch with you for Armed Forces specific support.
Once employed with us, support is on offer from our Armed Forces & Veteran Co-ordinator and staff community. We are supportive of staff members who are Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and have policies to facilitate their training commitments. We have received a gold award in the Employer Defence Recognition Scheme.
Our commitment to you
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
If you want to let us know about organisations that support the Armed Forces Community that are not listed on this page, please email us at oxl-tr.communications@nhs.net.
If you have any feeback about how we can improve our support, please reach out to our Armed Forces community co-ordinator at oxl-tr.armedforcescoord@nhs.net.
Useful resources
We have provided details of helpful organisations that offer support to the armed forces community and their families.
NHS healthcare services
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.
Social and wellbeing support whilst accessing NHS services
- Defence Medical Welfare Services, provide practical and emotional support
- Walking With The Wounded, provide social support and care co-ordination for veterans receiving healthcare.
Podcasts - health
- 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.
Events, social gathering and activities
- 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.
Armed forces specific support apps
- 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
General support organisations
- 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
Mental Health and Wellbeing
- 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.
- Combat Stress, a mental health charity that offers a 24/7 helpline: 0800 1381619 or text 07537 173683
- The Samaritans, a listening ear 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and the Samaritans Veterans App.
- 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.
The War Widows’ Association
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.
Website: https://www.warwidows.org.uk (external link)
Contact: 0845 2412 189
info@warwidows.org.uk
SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Air Force and Families Association)
SSAFA’s aim is to ensure the needs of Armed Forces, veterans and their families are met, whether they be mental, physical, financial, or difficulties with relationship, debt and homelessness.
Website: https://www.ssafa.org.uk (external link)
Contact: 020 7463 9200
https://www.ssafa.org.uk/contact-us (external link) (includes live chat)
BLESMA
BLESMA assists serving and ex-service members who have suffered a life-changing limb loss, use of limb and eye or sight loss.
Website: https://blesma.org (external link)
Contact: 020 8590 1124
info@blesma.org
Blind Veterans UK
Blind Veterans UK provides rehabilitation training, practical advice and emotional support to ex-service personnel with sight loss
Website: https://www.blindveterans.org.uk (external link)
Contact: 0300 111 22 33
support.services@blindveterans.org.uk
The Poppy Factory
The Poppy Factory provides employment support for wounded, injured and sick veterans, whether with physical or mental health conditions.
Website: https://www.poppyfactory.org (external link)
Contact: 020 8939 1837
support@poppyfactory.org
Walking With The Wounded
This charity focuses on helping ex-military veterans re-integrate back into society by focusing on employment and how to transfer skills to a civilian workplace.
Website: https://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk (external link)
Contact: 01263 863 900
info@wwtw.org.uk
Give us Time
Give us Time provides service families with respite breaks to reconnect and reaffirm family bonds after deployments.
Website: https://giveustime.org.uk (external link)
Contact: 0208 017 2090
enquiries@giveustime.org.uk
Scotty’s Little Soldiers
Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a charity dedicated to supporting bereaved British Forces children and young people.
Website: https://www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk (external link)
Contact: 0800 092 8571
hello@scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk
The Ripple Pond
A peer support community made up of a network of forces families to help reduce the sense of isolation and increase support for serving personnel, veterans and their families.
Website: https://theripplepond.org (external link)
Contact: 0333 900 1028
help@theripplepond.org
HAIG Housing Support
Provides housing assistance to ex-service personnel and their dependents. This can be housing advice, letting general needs homes at affordable rents and providing tailored housing solutions to disabled or severely injured veterans.
Website: https://www.haighousing.org.uk (external link)
Contact: 020 8685 5777
enquiries@haighousing.org.uk
STOLL
A provider of supported housing for Veterans and additional support services to enable vulnerable and disabled veterans to lead independent lives.
Website: https://www.stoll.org.uk (external link)
Contact: 020 7385 2110
info@stoll.org.uk
we’re kind we’re fair we listen we care
