Support for Members of the British Military & Their Families
With British armed forces personnel continuing to have a key role in the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic with; OPERATION RESCRIPT (assisting the UK government with efforts to tackle COVID-19 within the UK) and OPERATION BROADSHARE (British military efforts in response to COVID-19 overseas) the mental well-being of both serving personnel and their families, is an important topic to discuss.
During the first peak, 20,000 troops were at readiness, with more than 4,000 of them deployed at any one time.
Nearly 400 armed forces personnel from the ‘COVID Support Force’ were mobilised to support the ambulance service across the country.
In the first week of October, 100 RAF personnel were deployed to Birmingham to help with the Councils ‘Drop & Collect’ initiative.
175 armed forces personnel from the ‘Royal Gibraltar Regiment’ and ‘MOD Gibraltar’ help deliver vital food and medicine to Gibraltar.
The RAF delivered essential equipment to the Falkland Islands.
With so many of our serving personnel being deployed, and having to isolate from their families, I thought I’d share the amazing British military charities that are here to help.
SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Families Association) - helps both personnel and their families with a variety of challenges.
RAFA (Royal Air Force Association) - provides welfare support by charitable means to all serving & former members of the RAF, their spouses and dependants.
Combat Stress - a free 24-hour mental health helpline for veterans & serving personnel. Family members concerned about a service person’s mental health can also call the helpline.
(VETERANS & FAMILY) 0800 323 4444
(SERVING PERSONNEL & FAMILY) 0800 138 1619
TogetherAll (an organisation that provides 24/7 anonymous online support for mental health issues. This service is free for all serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and family members aged 16)
Little Troopers - a registered charity supporting all children with one or both parents serving in the British Armed Forces, regular or reserve.
RAFBF (Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund)- offers advice for partners & families of RAF personnel, including what to do in an emergency.
As a military child myself, I know the importance and worth of the support available.
I host a new and exciting podcast that gives military BRATs a platform to discuss their lives and experiences growing up with parents serving in the British Military.
Check out the podcast "Generation Military"
Don’t suffer in silence. You’re not alone.
