Local and national support is available for the Armed Forces community who may be affected by the situation in Afghanistan
Local and national charities are reaching out to our Armed Forces community and offering assistance to those who may be affected by recent events in Afghanistan. We understand this may be particularly upsetting for veterans and their families living in Herefordshire.
Support is available from local organisations who understand how distressing the situation can be for anyone who has been affected by conflict. There are a number of military charities based in Herefordshire who are at the end of a phone ready to listen and on standby to assist.
Tim Howson, Chairman from SSAFA Herefordshire, said:
“Many of us will have very close-hand experience of the Afghanistan conflict, be it personal, via close friends and family or perhaps knowing someone affected in our local community. SSAFA, The Armed Forces Charity, is here in the county for those serving, veterans and their families affected, as we are for the whole of the Armed Forces community, whenever they need us and for as long as they need us.”
Sean Gane, Herefordshire Veteran Support Centre Manager, added:
“We understand the difficulties that many of our armed forces community are experiencing at this present time due to the current situation in Afghanistan. The Herefordshire’s Veteran Support Centre at 19 West Street, Hereford, offers face to face or telephone support to anyone in the armed forces and their family members and we encourage people to get in touch with us if they need to.”
Cllr Barry Durkin, Chair of Herefordshire’s Armed Forces Covenant partnership, said:
"Herefordshire is rightly proud of its large Armed Forces community and the service they give and have given, to their country, particularly those who served in Afghanistan over the past 20 years. It will be a distressing time for many and I do hope those who need assistance will seek our support and reach out to our local military charities and forces-friendly organisations.”
You can contact SSAFA Herefordshire on 01432 273932 or via email at Herefordshire.Branch@ssafa.org.uk.
The Royal British Legion can be contacted on their national helpline: 0808 802 8080.
Herefordshire Veteran Support Centre can be contacted on 07792 881354 or via facebook @VSCHerefordshire
For a full list of local support visit: www.herefordshire.gov.uk/armedforces
As well as local charities there are a number of 24/7 national helplines including:
Veterans Gateway: 0808 802 1212
SSAFA Forcesline: 0800 260 6767
Op Courage, the NHS military mental health helpline: 0800 323 4444