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Rights & SupportUK
UK Veteran Charities and Support: Who Does What, by Need
There are hundreds of Armed Forces charities. This guide shows which ones to call for each need, with checked contact details, starting with Veterans' Gateway.
Reviewed 9 October 2026 · 10 sources checked
In short
- Veterans' Gateway (0808 802 1212) is the 24-hour front door that refers you to the right organisation.
- The GOV.UK veteran support directory listed 147 organisations as of August 2026, searchable by need and location.
- Op ASCEND gives free careers support to veterans who left more than 2 years ago; CTP covers the 2 years either side of discharge.
- Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE are the NHS England services for veterans' mental and physical health.
- SSAFA, the Royal British Legion and the single-service charities fund grants for veterans in financial hardship.
If you are a UK veteran, or family of one, and you do not know where to start, call Veterans' Gateway on 0808 802 1212. It is a 24-hour first point of contact for housing, money, mental wellbeing, employment and more, and it refers you straight to the right specialist organisation. The rest of this guide shows who does what, by need, so you can go direct when you already know what you need.
The sector is large. The government's own veteran support directory listed 147 organisations when it was last updated on 21 August 2026, and the Cobseo member directory lists Armed Forces charities by type and service. The tables below focus on the national organisations most veterans will need, with contact details checked in October 2026.
Veterans' Gateway: the front door
Veterans' Gateway serves serving personnel, Reservists, veterans, families and carers from all three services, plus the Merchant Navy. You can reach it by phone, live chat, text or email, 24 hours a day. Advisers assess your situation and can refer you directly to partner organisations. The service is now run by the charity DMWS. Its helpline number, 0808 802 1212, is listed by Poppyscotland and other partners.
Use Veterans' Gateway when your needs overlap, for example debt that is putting your tenancy at risk, or when you cannot tell which organisation covers your situation.
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Who does what, by need
Employment and careers
| Organisation | What it offers | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Career Transition Partnership (CTP) | The MOD's official resettlement service: guidance, workshops, training and job vacancies. Open in your final 2 years of service and for 2 years after discharge. CTP Future Horizons covers early leavers with under 4 years' service | Through your unit resettlement office or ctp.org.uk |
| Op ASCEND | Free government-backed careers service for veterans who left more than 2 years ago: CVs, interviews, sector changes, retraining and starting a business. Run by the Forces Employment Charity | Register online via the Forces Employment Charity |
| Forces Employment Charity | Coaching, mentoring and introductions to more than 9,000 employer partners for service leavers, veterans, Reservists, spouses and dependants | 0121 262 3058 |
| Other routes on GOV.UK | The Poppy Factory (veterans with health conditions), X-Forces Enterprise (self-employment), Advance into Justice (HM Prison and Probation Service careers), and the Civil Service Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme | See the GOV.UK employment support page |
Our guide to the Career Transition Partnership explains resettlement entitlements in detail.
Housing and homelessness
| Organisation | What it offers | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Op FORTITUDE | Government-sponsored referral pathway for veterans at risk of homelessness: advice for any veteran at risk, and accommodation for those most at risk. Self-referral accepted | Freephone 0800 952 0774 |
| Haig Housing Trust | More than 1,500 homes for veterans and their families in 50 locations, including adapted homes | 020 8685 5777 |
| Stoll | Supported housing for vulnerable and disabled veterans in London and Aldershot, and help into homes with other housing providers | 020 7385 2110 |
| Your local council | Social housing register. All Regular forces veterans in England are exempt from local connection tests | Ask for the council's Armed Forces Champion |
Mental health
| Organisation | What it offers | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Op COURAGE (NHS England) | The NHS veterans' mental health and wellbeing service. Self-referral accepted. No limit on how long ago you left or how long you served | North 0300 373 3332; Midlands 0300 323 0137; East 0300 034 9991; London 020 3317 6818; South East 0300 365 2000 (option 4); South West 0300 034 9986 |
| Combat Stress | Specialist treatment for the psychological impact of service, peer support and family support | 24-hour helpline 0800 138 1619; text 07537 173683 |
| Help for Heroes | Mental health and wellbeing support and free Recovery College online courses | 0300 303 9888, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm |
Money, grants and benefits
| Organisation | What it offers | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Royal British Legion | Financial support, money and debt guidance, tribunal representation, care homes and recovery services | 0808 802 8080, 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week |
| SSAFA | Forcesline helpline and live chat, welfare and benefits support, help for older veterans, disability support and local branches | 0800 260 6780, press 1 for Forcesline |
| RAF Benevolent Fund | Help with living costs, benefits advice, housing and repairs, care costs and a legal advice line for RAF veterans and families | 0300 102 1919 |
| Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity | Individual grants for serving and former Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel and their families | 023 9387 1520 |
Families and children
| Organisation | What it offers | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Naval Families Federation, Army Families Federation, RAF Families Federation | Independent advice for Service families. AFF, for example, covers housing, money, immigration, education, childcare, health and employment, and presses the Army and government for change | Via each federation's website |
| Scotty's | Support for children, young people and families affected by military-connected bereavement | Via scottys.org.uk |
| Help for Heroes | Case managers for families whose lives have been affected by a parent's or carer's service | 0300 303 9888 |
Physical injury and disability
| Organisation | What it offers | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Op RESTORE (NHS England) | Specialist NHS care for physical health problems linked to service, including for people not medically discharged. GP referral; you must live and be registered with a GP in England | Ask your GP |
| Blesma | Lifelong support for veterans with loss of a limb, use of a limb, an eye or sight: prosthetics support, grants and benefits advice | 020 8590 1124, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm |
| Blind Veterans UK | Rehabilitation, training and practical support for vision-impaired veterans, regardless of how or when they lost their sight | Online eligibility check at blindveterans.org.uk |
| Help for Heroes | Help with injuries, pain, mobility and sleep, grants and the Veterans' Mobility Fund | 0300 303 9888 |
Criminal justice
| Organisation | What it offers | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| SSAFA Veterans in the Criminal Justice System | Prison In-Reach volunteers visit veterans in prison and give practical, emotional and financial help, including family support and travel assistance | Email your SSAFA regional hub (listed on the SSAFA page) |
| GOV.UK veteran support directory | Filter by "Legal and justice" to find services for people in the justice system in your area | Online |
Sport and adventurous activity
| Organisation | What it offers | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Royal British Legion Battle Back Centre | Five-day residential multi-activity courses at Lilleshall, Shropshire, for physical and mental wellbeing. Open to anyone who served, whether or not the injury or illness is service-related | 0808 802 8080 |
| Invictus Games Experience | An 18 to 24 month adaptive sport programme for wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans | Via the Royal British Legion |
| Battle Back Phoenix | Adaptive sport and adventurous training for veterans, run and funded by Help for Heroes as part of the MOD's Battle Back programme | Via Help for Heroes |
| Help for Heroes sport | Free, adaptable sports and social events across the UK for all abilities | 0300 303 9888 |
If you need help now
In an emergency call 999. UK: Samaritans 116 123 (24 hours), Combat Stress 0800 138 1619 (24 hours), or your regional Op COURAGE service listed above (England). US veterans: Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 then press 1, or from Europe call +1 844-702-5495.
How to get the most from the system
- Have your details ready. Most organisations ask for your service number, service dates and branch. Your HM Armed Forces Veteran Card speeds this up.
- Start with one call. If your problem crosses several areas, Veterans' Gateway, SSAFA or the Royal British Legion can coordinate referrals and grant applications.
- Tell public services you served. Councils, schools and NHS bodies have a legal duty under the Armed Forces Covenant to consider your circumstances.
- Check where you live. Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE cover England. In Wales, councils have Armed Forces Liaison Officers, and Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own services listed in the GOV.UK directory.
Next steps
What to do this week
- Save Veterans' Gateway (0808 802 1212) and Combat Stress (0800 138 1619) in your phone.
- Find your service number and apply for a Veteran Card if you do not have one.
- Search the GOV.UK veteran support directory for services in your area.
- If you left more than 2 years ago and want a new role, register with Op ASCEND.
- Tell your GP you served so you can be referred to Op COURAGE or Op RESTORE if needed.
Questions people ask
What is the best charity for veterans in the UK?
It depends on the need. For a single starting point, call Veterans' Gateway on 0808 802 1212, which refers you to partner organisations. For grants and welfare casework, SSAFA and the Royal British Legion are the largest generalists. For mental health, Op COURAGE (NHS England) and Combat Stress specialise. For employment, use the Career Transition Partnership or Op ASCEND.
Can veterans get financial help from military charities?
Yes. The Royal British Legion, SSAFA, the RAF Benevolent Fund and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity all give grants to veterans and families in financial need. Call the Royal British Legion on 0808 802 8080 or SSAFA on 0800 260 6780 to start.
Where can a homeless veteran get help in the UK?
Call Op FORTITUDE free on 0800 952 0774. It is the government-sponsored referral pathway for veterans at risk of homelessness, and you can refer yourself. You can also apply to your local council, where all Regular forces veterans in England are exempt from local connection rules, and contact Haig Housing or Stoll for veteran-specific housing.
Is there help for veterans who left the forces many years ago?
Yes. Op COURAGE has no limit on how long ago you left, Op ASCEND exists specifically for veterans who left more than 2 years ago, and the major charities support veterans of any age. Blind Veterans UK supports vision-impaired veterans regardless of how or when they lost their sight.
Sources
- Veterans' Gateway, "Home" (2026). https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/
- Poppyscotland, "Veterans' Gateway" (2026). https://www.poppyscotland.org.uk/get-help/advice/veteran's-gateway
- Office for Veterans' Affairs, "Find support for veterans" directory (updated 21 August 2026). https://www.gov.uk/support-for-veterans
- GOV.UK, "Employment support for veterans" (updated 25 February 2025). https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-support-for-veterans
- Ministry of Defence, "Government commits to get more veterans into meaningful jobs" (24 February 2025). https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-commits-to-get-more-veterans-into-meaningful-jobs
- NHS, "Op COURAGE: mental health support for veterans and reservists" (2026). https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/mental-health/veterans-reservists/
- Combat Stress, "Get help" (2026). https://combatstress.org.uk/get-help
- Royal British Legion, "Recovery services" (2026). https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/how-we-help/recovery-services
- SSAFA, "Veterans in the Criminal Justice System" (2026). https://www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/veterans-in-the-criminal-justice-system/
- Help for Heroes, "Get support" (2026). https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-support/
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