There is a lot of support available to those who are serving or have served in the armed forces, for further information, use the following links:
Cadet organisations and Reserve Forces
Employment, Education and Training
Cadet organisations and Reserve Forces
East Midlands Reserve Forces & Cadets (East Midlands RFCA).
Use this site to find details of Cadet organisations and Reserve Forces in Derbyshire.
Crisis Support
The Veterans Charity provides support to Veterans of the UK Armed Forces. The recipient of our support must be a Veteran of the UK Armed Forces who has completed a minimum of 6 months verifiable service, either as a regular or as a reservist. Verification of service will be required in order to obtain support.
Our specialist treatment and support is available online and in-person. Our staff are based across the UK – we have teams in Belfast, Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Surrey, the Midlands and the North West. The vast majority of our services are provided online (as it removes geographical and logistical barriers to receiving treatment). Where required, our online provision is complemented by in-person outpatient appointments and community services including peer support, and treatment on a residential basis.
MOD - Urgent Help for Veterans.
Veterans needing urgent help in a crisis can contact us for assistance.
Freephone their Veterans Support Hub for the military community on 0808 175 3075 (24/7) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – to access confidential emotional support for feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service. You can text us from wherever you are in the UK. If you are struggling to cope and need to talk, our trained Shout Volunteers are here for you, day or night. If your life is at imminent risk, please call 999 for immediate help.
Family Support
Stand To Derbyshire Veterans Community Services (STDVCS).
The veterans information point (VIP) is a single point of contact for the Armed Forces Community in Derbyshire providing information, signposting and support for service veterans, their families and professionals seeking information on all things related to veterans and the help that is currently available locally, within Derbyshire and Nationally.
Children’s Education Advisory Service (CEAS).
CEAS provides advice, support and guidance regarding the educational well-being of the children and young people belonging to families in all 3 services and eligible MOD civilians who are based overseas. All advice given is professional, child-centred and focuses on the best interests of the individual. The CEAS team is comprised of qualified teachers and experienced case advisors who can answer queries predominantly via email and telephone.
GOV.UK Afghanistan housing portal - offer accommodation & other support.
Offering homes to people from Afghanistan, information about local councils creating incentive schemes to help make private rental accommodation available to families and individuals who have arrived under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
The Royal British Legion is here to help members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families.
Royal British Legion - Ilkeston branch.
Members get together through the network of branches and clubs all over the country and overseas to participate in social, fundraising and welfare activities. The Branch meets at the Flamsteed Centre, Albert St., Ilkeston, DE7 5GU on the 2nd Friday of the month at 1930hrs.
Royal British Legion - Long Eaton branch.
The Royal British Legion is the UK's leading Armed Forces charity and one of its largest membership organisations. Members get together through the network of branches and clubs all over the country and overseas to participate in social, fundraising and welfare activities. Long Eaton Branch meets on the second and last Sunday of every month at the Curzon Club in Bennett Street, Long Eaton.
SSAFA The Armed Forces Charity.
Our support covers both regulars and reserves in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force and their families, including anyone who has completed National Service. We know and understand the unique demands of service life, whether in the UK or overseas, and in times of need, we help to enable the Forces family to thrive.
From the day you join the Royal Marines, you become a member of our family for life. That means we’re here to support you, no matter what. Being a Royal Marine is a way of life and whilst that comes with a sense of pride and honour, we know that it sometimes comes with challenges too. Our mission is to provide support, advice and lifelong camaraderie for serving and retired Marines and their families.
Adjusting to civilian life can provide challenges. If you are unsure what to do next or want a safe and confidential place to talk, don't hesitate to contact us. We will do our best to help or point you in the direction of people who can.
Fighting With Pride (FWP) is a new military charity, created on the 20th anniversary of the complete lifting of the ban on LGBT+ service – the ‘gay ban’. We are here to support LGBT+ Veterans, serving personnel and their families, particularly those who were affected by the ‘gay ban’, ultimately lifted on 12th January 2000. FWP is a ‘lived experience’ LGBT+ charity, supporting those seeking help and a resource for those who seek to help them.
Delivered by the Forces Employment Charity and commissioned by NHS England, provides support for veterans who are in contact with the justice system, enabling them to access the services they need.
Finance and Benefits
Defence Discount Service provides those in the Armed Forces, Veterans and the Defence Community with discounts both online and in store. The Defence Discount Service also allows small and large companies to get involved with offering a discount and encourage companies in local areas to offer discounts to the Armed Forces Community.
The HM Forces Railcard can save you 1/3 on most rail fares throughout Great Britain for a whole year. You're eligible if you're a member of the Regular Forces or Volunteer Reserves or a spouse/civil partner of a member.
Welfare is at the absolute heart of the Royal Air Forces Association. Whether you need someone to talk to, help finding financial support, some time away to rest or something else entirely, we can help you find a solution.
The Royal Navy Benevolent Trust.
We assist thousands of people who are serving or have served as Warrant Officers and below in the Royal Navy & Royal Marines, and their dependants, who find themselves in need or distress. Our aim is to help them enjoy a reasonable quality of life mainly by providing wide ranging financial assistance. We also care for older people in our own care home and Almshouse.
The Seafarers Charity (Merchant Navy Fund).
If you are a serving or a former Merchant Navy seafarer or a family member and are looking for help, Merchant Navy Fund works with a number of maritime charity partners who may be able to help you.
We stand at the forefront of support for the Army family. We award grants to individuals and families, and fund leading charities and organisations to ensure help is there when you need it.
Information related to the Armed Forces Pension Schemes.
DWP Armed Forces Champions - Derbyshire.
Regional DWP Armed Forces Champions - As part of the Armed Forces Covenant, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has initiatives that help current and former armed forces personnel and their families access Jobcentre Plus services. Champions maintain close contact with Jobcentre Plus staff, who make the Champion aware of Armed Forces issues and raise issues with the Champion if requested. If you have a client who requires support from the DWP please use the contact information below to access your local DWP Armed Forces Champion for Derbyshire (and Staffordshire): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Forces Compare is a military-first price comparison website, specialising in insurance, financial products and claims.
Health and Wellbeing
Blesma - The Limbless Veterans.
We are the only national service charity that supports limbless veterans for the duration of their lives, offering financial and emotional support to them and their families. Since WW1 we have worked tirelessly to guarantee that our limbless veterans are not failed, forgotten or left to fend for themselves.
At Blind Veterans UK, we provide veterans with rehabilitation, training, practical advice and emotional support. We’re one transformational team that believes every vision-impaired veteran should be able to lead the life they choose. Together we can help rebuild lives after sight loss. We’re one transformational team that believes every vision-impaired veteran should be able to lead the life they choose. Together we can help rebuild lives after sight loss. We help blind ex-Servicemen and women of every generation. Since 1915, we’ve provided support to tens of thousands of vision-impaired veterans. Together we can help rebuild blind veterans’ lives after sight loss. Away from isolation. Towards a life of fulfilment.
RNIB is committed to helping blind and partially sighted people. f you're affected by sight loss, we're here for you. Through our Sight Loss Advice Service, RNIB offers support to blind and partially sighted people across the UK. We can help you to find the right assistive technology, support you in education and work, access financial help and much more. We're here to help you live the life you want.
We’re here for the 12 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. With our communities, we’ll change society to make it more inclusive for everyone, help people hear better now and fund world-class research. Our communities are huge: 1 in 5 adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. If our work doesn’t directly impact you, it will almost certainly be making a difference for someone you know and love. We work with our communities and partners across health, employment, research, government and more to change life for the better.
MOD GOV. UK HM medical records application form.
Please note, this form should only be used to request information about a living individual.
NHS Guide for military service leavers.
Find information and support to help you move from military healthcare to civilian healthcare after leaving the armed forces. After your discharge date, you will move from military healthcare to civilian and veteran healthcare. Most of your treatment will come through NHS services, which includes dedicated healthcare services designed to support veterans.
Op. Restore (formerly Veterans Trauma Network).
Op Restore supports veterans with service attributable physical health conditions, regardless of how long they served for and when they left the Armed Forces. It is accessed via GP referral and works with charities to provide a holistic service.
Find mental health information and support for veterans, service leavers, reservists, families and carers. Mental health problems are common and can affect anyone, including veterans, serving personnel, reservists and their families. It's important to get help and support if you or someone you know has mental health problems.
We support members of the Armed Forces community with their physical and mental health and a range of welfare issues. If you are in pain, feel anxious, stressed or lonely, have money trouble, need support with housing or applying for benefits, or just need a listening ear, we can help.
Information and useful services for veterans seeking advice and support. Using self help to find veteran specific resources across all welfare categories. These include housing, finances, mental wellbeing, employment, family and communities, physical health and living independently. Veterans’ Gateway guides contain expert advice from our partners including essential information, handy tips and contact details.
Defence Medical Welfare Service.
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is an independent charity providing medical welfare to those who have, and continue to, serve on the frontline. Our services are proven to help people: Have better experiences of healthcare and recover from illness quicker, Feel less stressed and anxious, Access financial support to reduce the stress of money, Feel less lonely and more connected to their communities, Enjoy positive relationships with families and friends, Find and stay in safe housing, Overcome alcohol and drug misuse, Access treatment for mental health illnesses such as PTSD, Stop thoughts of taking their own life, Find meaningful employment or volunteering after service.
The Armed Forces Bikers (AFB) is a United Kingdom based motorcycle charity aims to assist former serving members of the armed forces in charitable need as a result of injury or other harmful experience suffered during their service to: resettle and rehabilitate into civilian life and to relieve the needs of former members of the armed forces and their dependants.
The Not Forgotten combats isolation and loneliness amongst the Armed Forces community. We support any serving man or woman who is wounded, injured or sick and any veteran with a disability, illness or infirmity; whatever the cause and whenever it arose. Any serving or former member of The Royal Navy, The Royal Marines, The British Army, The Royal Air Force and The Merchant Navy, both Regular and Reserve Forces, may be eligible for our help.
Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club.
Our purpose is to facilitate veterans and serving Armed Forces personnel to meet face to face in a relaxed, safe, social environment to enjoy breakfast and banter, to combat loneliness and allow veterans to ”return to the tribe”.
Information and guidance on how to contact Veterans UK and their services.
Togetherall (formerly Big White Wall).
Togetherall believes no one should be excluded from instant access to mental health support from real people when they need it. We’re on a mission to make this a reality. With Togetherall, entire populations can have a safe place to connect, share and discuss what’s on their mind with peers. Our diverse community is active day and night, monitored and moderated 24/7 by licensed mental health practitioners.
Employment, Education and Training
GOV.UK Jobcentre Plus services for the armed services and their families.
How DWP is improving support for members of the armed forces and their families under the Armed Forces Covenant.
Career Transition Partnership (CTP).
We are proud to be the official provider of resettlement and have supported leavers of the Armed Forces for over 20 years, as they transition from the military into civilian life. There are huge benefits from registering and accessing the wealth of support we offer, from career transition guidance, skills workshops, vocational training and routes to employment.
GOV.UK Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire other organisations to do the same.
War Graves and War Memorials
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission | CWGC
Use this site to find war dead records of the 1.7 million men and women that we commemorate.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission free App.
CWGC mobile Apps. are available for free. They can be used to find out about cemeteries and memorials near you or if you are visiting somewhere new. The App. allows you to find CWGC sites and search for war graves at more than 23,000 locations, in more than 150 countries and territories at the touch of a button, making it easy to find and visit these places of remembrance.