Local support - where to start
There are many organisations within Moray and Highland that support veterans, service leavers and your families and sometimes it can be overwhelming deciding who to turn to. Here you can find links to local sources of help which provide a good starting point.
SAIL
SAIL is a free UK-wide Citizens Advice service dedicated to all seafarers and their families across the UK. They can provide free, confidential advice on benefits, health, money worries, pensions and much more.
Seafarer Support
Seafarer Support provides guidance on the entire maritime charity sector and guides you to the charity that is best suited to help. It covers the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Merchant Navy and more. The Freephone helpline is 0800 121 4675.
Poppyscotland
Poppyscotland provides a range of services and funds and will help you to access the support you need whether that be housing, finance, health or employment. They also support programmes to help you back in to work. Their Northern Pathways booklet provides a comprehensive list of services for the Armed Forces in north Scotland.
Welfare Centres are now closed, however our support in the North of Scotland remains. Our Welfare Support Service provides support and advocacy to vulnerable beneficiaries and those identified as having multiple and complex needs, in addition to Independant Living advice, support and advocacy for members of the Armed Forces community who are living with or caring for someone living with long term illness, continuing care or disabilities.
Veterans Welfare Service (VWS)
VWS is committed to enhancing the quality of life for veterans and beneficiaries of Veterans UK pensions and compensation schemes and all their dependants. They provide holistic support to all ex-service personnel who request it and can give guidance and assistance on:
- War Pensions Scheme (WPS) due to injury, illness or condition caused by Service pre 06 April 2005
- Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) for injury or illness caused by service post 06 April 2005
- Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) - 75, 05 & 15 (+ med discharge)
- DWP Benefits entitlement - VWS has access to the DWP computer system due to WPS overlapping benefits
- Referral gateway to: in-service welfare providers, Social Services, local authorities, CAB (through ASAP), ex-service or other appropriate organisations
Contact VWS Scotland
Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP)
ASAP advisers covering Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey, Nairn and Moray Citizens Advice Bureaux can be contacted on 01667 456 677 or email asap@nairncab.casonline.org.uk.
SSAFA
SSAFA provides lifelong help to veterans and service personnel and their families, in the local community. Their commitment is to provide support with experienced, non-judgemental and friendly advice, as well as a variety of practical services which cover a range of social, family and financial issues. They rely on public donations to continue their work.
Contact your local SSAFA branch
Unforgotten Forces
Unforgotten Forces is a group of 15 organisations that deliver a range of services to older veterans. Each partner will help you access other partner services if required so you only need to contact one organisation.