There is lots of support available to Service personnel and families covering all aspects of service life including: accommodation, education, health, childcare, employment, finances, overseas postings and welfare and support.
Aside from Chain of Command and local welfare teams, there are many organisations that you can access for support:
Navy Families Federation: NFF | Championing Royal Navy & Royal Marines families
Army Families Federation: Army Families Federation – Supporting Army personnel and families worldwide
RAF Families Federation: Support for RAF personnel and families < RAF Families Federation
HIVEs: The MOD’s Tri-Service Information Service, the Army and RAF HIVEs and the Royal Navy Family & People Support (RN FPS) teams are available to all Service personnel (including Reservists), families and veterans, as well as MOD Civilians.
The network of Information Officers across the UK and overseas provide information on a wide range of subjects including:
- Accommodation
- Childcare
- Schools and further education
- Employment and training opportunities
- Local area information
- Travel
- Deployment support
- Finance
- Health and wellbeing
- Welfare
- Discounts
To access your local HIVE click here.
Families Hub
The new Families Hub is an information portal to help navigate Service family life. It signposts helpful support, guidance and useful organisations and is for all armed forces (Regular and Reserve) personnel and families – from the moment you enter the armer forces, through to when you leave.
You can find a wide range of family friendly policies, useful information, support and guidance in areas such as:
- Finance and money
- Housing
- Health and wellbeing
- Childcare and education
- Partner and family support
- Transition to civilian life
To access Families Hub, click here.
Defence Transition Services
Defence Transition Services provides information and support to service leavers and their families as you leave the military and adjust to civilian life, including housing advice: Defence Transition Services – GOV.UK
SSAFA
SSAFA helps the families of all armed forces personnel and veterans: Military Families | SSAFA
Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion supports serving and ex-serving personnel and provides a wide range of guidance and advice on a range of issues including money and debt, accommodation, physical and mental health, and employment: Expert Advice | Get Support | Royal British Legion
Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
The government is committed to supporting the armed forces community by working with a range of partners who have signed the covenant. The covenant is a national responsibility involving government, businesses, local authorities, charities and the public.
Find out more about the covenant here.