SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, supports the person behind the uniform; any time they need us, in any way they need us, for as long as they need us. Every year, SSAFA helps more than 73,000 people from the Forces family get back on their feet; those currently serving, reserves, veterans and their families.

Support is there for people at any stage in their military career; from the youngest recruit to the oldest veteran – noone’s service is ever forgotten. We give hope, help and personal support for as long as it takes to get that person’s life back to where they want it to be.

HOW WE HELP

Through our UK-wide branch network, we have more than 5,000 volunteers. Of these, we have more than 3,000 trained SSAFA volunteer caseworkers who provide personalised, face-to-face support to those in their local area. Our trained welfare advisors and volunteers work with each person to find out exactly what they need. Once we’ve assessed what is required, we’ll help the individual or family access the required assistance. They may just need someone to listen. More often than not, we put them in touch with the support services they need to help them get their lives back on track. Whether it’s financial, practical or emotional, we provide the right kind of support – ensuring independence and dignity are protected at all times.

WHAT DO WE DO?

Welfare advice and support – Our UK-wide and overseas network of branches in local communities and service committees on military bases offer practical, financial and emotional support. We help serving personnel, reserves, veterans and their families with everything from financial hardship to family breakdown.

Specialist services – We mentor people as they transition from the military to civilian life, help families adapt, aid veterans in the criminal justice system and provide a support service to the UK Gurkha community. All our services are designed to meet the specific needs of the Forces community and are run by SSAFA employees, with support from teams of volunteers.

Housing – We offer a range of safe and comfortable housing options, including long-term accommodation for older and disabled veterans and short-term housing for families of injured service personnel and victims of domestic violence.

Health and social care services – We provide primary and community healthcare and social work services, on contract to the Ministry of Defence in 12 countries, including the UK.

SSAFA (Sedgefield Division) have now transferred the “Drop In” service from NAYCC to The Copper Room (Gin Bar) at The Big Club, Sheraton Road, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 5NU. The service will be available every Monday morning from 9.30am until 12.00noon.

So come along, drop in for a chat and a cup of tea/coffee (we even have biscuits!) and we will do our best to help wherever we can.

Sometimes even the strongest among us need help. When anyone in our Forces family finds themselves in need, SSAFA is the charity they can turn to.

We are aware that there are others that may well require our help but may not know what assistance is available to them. They may prefer to chat with a caseworker face to face rather than contact SSAFA by telephone.

It is SSAFA’s policy to offer lifelong support to those in need within the armed forces community and this confidential and friendly service is available to our armed forces serving members, veterans and their families.

During last year alone 39 former service families in Newton Aycliffe and surrounding areas were helped and more than £40,000 of support was raised to meet very specific needs.

For anyone wishing to contact us by telephone, you can contact 01388 827346 7 days a week, alternatively our email address is durham@ssafa.org.uk