If you are a veteran and require help or support for any issues you can contact one of the organisations who work specifically with veteran issues listed below by proceeding to the Veterans' Gateway where information for various supports and services may be found..
This page contains a list of organisation who we have found that support veterans in Northern Ireland. The information provided has been taken from the websites of the respective organisations.
* Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of organisations which deal with veterans' issues.
Organisations Listed
AA Veterans' Support
In 2006 at the age of 17 Andy Allen joined the 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment. Andy deployed to Afghanistan with 1 Royal Irish in March 2008,where on the 14th July 2008 he was severely injured by a Taliban Improvised Explosive Device. The force of the blast tore off Andy's right leg, badly damaged his left leg and his eyes.
Andy was stabilised and flown to Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham where the doctors and nurses fought to save his life. Ten day after being brought into Selly Oak Andy's left leg had to be amputated.
During his own recovery process Andy identified a number of areas where support for Service Personnel, Veterans and their families living in Northern Ireland could be improved. In 2011 with the help of a number of other Veterans Andy setup his own service charity 'AA Veterans Support'.
Five years on AA Veterans Support continue to provide vital support services to those who serve or have served and their families throughout Northern Ireland.
Beyond the Battlefield
Beyond the Battlefield was formed as a charity to look after the well being of the Ex-service Community in both parts of the Island of Ireland.
The charity fulfils a number of roles which will concentrate on working with a group of counsellors in order to assess and treat Ex-service people who suffer with a variety of symptoms and problems that indicate they are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress disorder.
This service is open to all service personnel from the Forces, the Police and the Emergency services through to anyone who because of service or indeed through their connections to the services has or is suffering with P T S D.
Beyond the Battlefield carries out a number of roles which include treatment of P T S D the associated problems which are Stress’ Alcohol Abuse’ Drugs: domestic Abuse’ Suicide’ Bereavement ‘and Financial Difficulties’ Relationship difficulties’ Self harm’ and trauma.
The Charity also performs a series of different tasks which will improve the lives of the Ex-service Community.
BLESMA
Since 1932, we have been the only Armed Forces charity that supports limbless veterans for the duration of their lives. Our Members range from the youngest amputee veterans to those who fought in WWII, some having lived with limb loss for more than half a century. Modern medicine transforms the physical injury, but it is a complicated process to treat the emotional trauma and related lifelong problems.
Blind Veterans UK
Who we are
We are Blind Veterans UK and we believe that no one who has served our country should battle blindness alone. That's why we're here to help with lifelong practical and emotional support which we provide to Armed Forces and National Service veterans regardless of when they served or how they lost their sight. We help veterans recover their independence and discover a life beyond sight loss.
What we do
We provide vision impaired Armed Forces and National Service veterans with the person-centered services and tailored support they need to discover life beyond sight loss. Blind Veterans UK's work ranges from helping veterans relearn vital life skills and providing them with the tools they need to be independent in their own homes, to offering new learning, training and recreation opportunities and providing long-term nursing, residential and respite care.
Our birth
Sir Arthur Pearson, who owned the Evening Standard and founded the Daily Express, established Blind Veterans UK in 1915. Having lost his own sight through glaucoma, he was shocked at society's attitude to blindness. He decided to help those who had lost their vision in the First World War by giving them the care and rehabilitation they needed to lead constructive, self-sufficient lives.
Blind Veterans UK today
Nearly a century later, Blind Veterans UK not only cares for ex-Service men and women blinded in action, but for veterans who have lost their sight through accident, illness or old age. We have three centres (in Brighton, Llandudno and Sheffield) that provide residential and respite care plus sports facilities, as well as qualified welfare staff who help blind veterans across the UK to live independently within their own communities.
Castlehill Foundation
We deliver funding and support to victims and survivors of the Conflict/Troubles, on behalf of The Executive Office.
We are here to assist all victims and survivors identified in the Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.
This means that we can provide support to those who have been affected by the Conflict/Troubles in the following ways:
- those who have been injured (physically or psychologically);
- those who care for people who have been injured in this way; and
- those who have been bereaved.
If you have been affected in any of these ways and feel that you need some support, please contact us. Our team is ready to speak with you in confidence, to find options for help that may be available.
Combat stress
Combat Stress is the UK's leading veterans' mental health charity. We treat a range of mental health conditions including PTSD, depression and anxiety.
Mental health issues can affect ex-servicemen and women of all ages. Right now, we have more than 6,000 veterans registered with us for support. We're a vital lifeline for these veterans, and their families.
Our treatment and support services are always free of charge for veterans. We are Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered and the NHS England PTSD specialist treatment provider for veterans.
Our vision is that veterans will be able to live free from the harmful effects of psychological injuries.
Our mission is to provide timely, effective clinical treatment and support to veterans with psychological injuries.
Our values are to:
- Always put veterans at the centre of our work
- Aspire to excellence in everything we do
- Foster a culture of respect and integrity
We spend £15 million a year delivering our unique range of specialist treatment and support. Everything we do is free for veteran. Please DONATE NOW to help fund our vital work.
If you need our help, please call our free 24-hour Helpline for veterans and service personnel, and their familieson 0800 138 1619.
DECORUM NI
Decorum NI is an organisation which aims to empower those who served during the Troubles in Northern Ireland during the period of Op BANNER from 1969 - 2007 and their families by giving them a voice. It strives to provide advocacy and ensure that a constituency of need which is otherwise silent can be heard. We make no apology for repeating ourselves throughout this website, we believe it is sometimes necessary to put an important message across.
Our Purpose:
Decorum NI will work independently and collaboratively to meet the complex physical, mental or social needs of its members contributing to their overall well-being.
Decorum NI strives to ensure that the true and accurate story of those who served is told in a way that engenders a better understanding in society in general. Decorum NI is an organisation which aims to empower those who served during the Troubles in Northern Ireland during the period of Op BANNER from 1969 - 2007 and their families by giving them a voice. It strives to provide advocacy and ensure that a constituency of need which is otherwise silent can be heard. We make no apology for repeating ourselves throughout this website, we believe it is sometimes necessary to put an important message across.Decorum NI seeks to ensure that the legacy of the service given is generous in recognising the sacrifice and is promoted to give a fuller understanding to current and future generations.
In fulfilling its purpose Decorum NI will operate in an all encompassing equality framework.
Decorum NI is to promote, advocate and address the needs of former security service personnel and their families who have suffered as a result of the violence perpetrated over the period of Operation BANNER between 14th August 1969 and 31st July 2007.
Decorum NI welcomes applications from all Service personnel at home and abroad - subject to compliance with the conditions of our Registration procedure (a unique way of keeping in touch with former service comrades)
Help for Heroes
Team H4H is an extremely passionate bunch. Our passion comes from our links to the Armed Forces; some of us have served, others are related to or know someone who has.
We take the time to listen, understand what’s needed, and do our very best for our Heroes every single day.
We have a complete open door policy and welcome all of our supporters to visit us or pick up the phone to find out just what a difference your donations are making to the lives of our heroes.
Military and Police Support of West Tyrone (MAPS)
MAPS of West Tyrone is the official representative body for Military and Police Associations in the area.
We are primarily involved in the support and welfare of our members who served under Operation Banner. In many cases these are people who have been isolated after leaving service and because of that service have felt alienated within the Community.
We are run by members for our members thus having empathy with the beneficiaries. Our connection with the Royal British Legion is a benefit in the general welfare of those we serve, and we provide secure accommodation for them to work from.
As a welfare and support organisation for an ageing section of the Community we aim to provide a place of refuge in comfortable surroundings, a place that members can call their own and get away from the strains of daily life. Our befriending service is the backbone of the organisation. The confidential work they do with members cannot be underestimated.
Royal Air Force Association
For Service personnel to be at their most effective, it is recognised that the Royal Air Force has to provide the necessary community support structure for their families.
The development of a strong sense of community and feeling of wellbeing amongst all Service personnel and their families helps make our Air Force better by encouraging unity, and helping to ensure that the men and women who come into service want to stay..
With such a feeling of community, forces personnel can focus on their work, knowing that their families can access the support they need, when they need it – whether it is while they are actively serving, or after they have served.
Service charities and organisations such as the Royal Air Forces Association, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and the Royal Air Force Families Federation play a key role in this wider Royal Air Force community.
This community is more commonly known as the Royal Air Force Family, and all the organisations work closely with the Royal Air Force to provide the necessary welfare and support to all who are part of it.
The RAF Association is committed to supporting the RAF Family, whether currently serving, or former-serving, in a wide range of ways, delivering help and support where it is needed.
The ely centre
The Ely Centre is a Registered Charity specialising in the provision of multi-disciplinary support services for civilians, security force personnel and their families, who have experienced bereavement and injury as a result of the “Troubles in Fermanagh and Tyrone.
The Ely Centre is committed to serving innocent victims and survivors, ex service personnel, their families and carers by providing evidenced based outcome focused treatments, prevention and support services that address issues of declining psychological, physical health, social and financial difficulties arising as a result of terrorism.
The Organisation formed by relatives of the bereaved and injured of 1987 Enniskillen Poppy Day Bombwhich claimed the lives of 12 innocent civilians and injured scores more, has over the last three decades developed into a proven centre of excellence in providing care and support for victims of terrorism and their families.
The Not forgotten association
We are a small, unique and highly personalised tri-service charity. Our role is to provide entertainment and recreation for the benefit of the serving wounded, injured or sick and for veterans who suffer from a disability or illness.
Our events and activities are open to serving and ex-service men and women of all ages, whether they served in the Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy or Merchant Navy; in Regular or Reserve forces, whenever and wherever they served, and whether their physical or mental injury, disability or illness is attributable to their time in service or occurred subsequently.
Invitations to nominate individuals to attend are sent to ex-service associations, veterans organisations, other service charities and Personnel Recovery Centre/Units.
UDR & Royal Irish Aftercare
The Aftercare Service has been created and funded in recognition of the unique set of circumstances which continue to affect the ex-service community, comprising former UDR and R IRISH (HS) soldiers and their dependants. Our mission is to provide, either directly or by sign-posting to other partner agencies, holistic welfare, medical, vocational and benevolence support to this community in order to reduce suffering. This website explains what type of support is available, outlines eligibility and informs potential users about how to access the Aftercare Service. Please feel free to contact us.
In order to be fully eligible for our services you must have served in the UDR or R IRISH (HS) during Operation BANNER (1970 – 2007).
Note that not all services may be available as certain eligibility criteria must be met, for example, in order to access medical services. If in doubt please ask using the contact details provided.
The Royal British Legion
We help members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families all year round. We also campaign to improve their lives, organise the Poppy Appeal and remember the fallen.
SSAFA
We are the longest serving national tri-service military charity. For over 130 years, we have provided lifelong support to those who are serving or have ever served in our Armed Forces.
Today nearly 2.6 million people living in the United Kingdom are estimated to have served in the Armed Forces at some point in their lives. Every year, around 20,000 servicemen and women leave the services and return to civilian life.
That's why our work is so important. We believe that those who have served their country should get the best possible support when they need it.
The Somme Nursing Home
The Somme Nursing Home is a charity established in 1914 to provide treatment and quality care for service and ex-service persons.
We provide long term and convalescent nursing care for sick, wounded and disabled:
- Serving and ex-service persons, the Reserves and their spouses
- Royal Ulster Constabulary serving and ex-service members and their spouses
- HM Prison Service serving and ex-service members and their spouses
- Mercantile Marine and their spouses
- Fire Authority and their spouses
A commitment to care
The Home exists to create an environment where compassion and understanding of the unique needs of the ex-service resident is paramount to the delivery of care.
By individual assessment and by promoting the core values of dignity, choice, preservation of citizens rights, independence, self determination and privacy, the Home strives to deliver the highest standard of care in a homely, relaxed environment.
We encourage the involvement of both the resident and the family in the planning of care.
The Royal Naval Association
With over 20,000 members across 300+ branches in the UK and overseas, we are a family of current and former Naval Service personnel, relatives and supporters of our country's Royal Navy.
Whether we are catching up with friends at our regular social events; fundraising; advising on welfare and employment matters, or just providing an arm around the shoulder, our natural willingness to help others stems from the tradition and camaraderie that only Naval Service life can instil.
SEFF (South East Fermanagh Foundation)
SEFF’s Mission Statement is: “Supporting Victims and Survivors, Strengthening Communities.” SEFF is committed to supporting individuals to make the personal transition from “victim” to “survivor” as part of a process of healing and confidence building.
The organisation has in place 9 CORE aims from which it operates:
1. To represent and lobby on behalf of the innocent victims and survivors of terrorism in effecting positive change for such individuals around the areas of Truth, Justice, Acknowledgement and overall Service provision.
2. To develop services and programmes which improve the physical and mental health & wellbeing of the innocent victims and survivors of terrorism and other ‘Troubles related violence’.
3. To develop Transgenerational/Youth services which seek to educate society as to the on-going legacy of 40 plus years of terrorism and other ‘Troubles related violence.’
4. To improve the financial circumstances of innocent victims and survivors of terrorism and other ‘Troubles related violence’ through tailored welfare services and skills-based programmes.
5. To develop strategic partnerships with community/voluntary/statutory sector based organisations for the purpose of ensuring quality and sustainable services are provided for the innocent victims and survivors of terrorism and other ‘Troubles related violence.’
6. To offer services in an accessible, localised manner which will enable the individual needs of innocent victims and survivors of terrorism and other ‘Troubles related violence’ to be best met.
7. To provide opportunities for Volunteers to develop their skills, so enabling them to be an intrinsic part of the overall service delivery model within SEFF.
8. To empower those whom we support to make the transition from ‘Victim’ to ‘Survivor’ as part of an overall process of individual healing and recovery.
To strengthen the organisation’s ties within the broader community and to develop and/or participate in initiatives which help build a sustainable Peace.