Support for veterans living in County Durham & Darlington

There are many veterans living in County Durham and Darlington. We understand that people from the Armed Forces Community who are affected by cancer may have unique support needs, for example housing, mental health, benefits and veterans’ groups . This page provides links to information and services that may be able to help.

Directory of organisations supporting veterans

  • Armed Forces Outreach Service. Based within social housing and registered housing providers, support and guidance is provided by experienced and dedicated staff who themselves have also served in either the British Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force.
  • Army Benevolent Fund. The Army Benevolent Fund is the Army's national charity, supporting soldiers, veterans and their families throughout their lives.
  • Association of Service Drop-In Centres (ASDIC). The Association of Service Drop-In Centre's represents and links veterans’ drop-in centre's across the UK.
  • Blesma. Blesma is a national charity that supports armed forces veterans who have experienced limb or sight loss.
  • Blind Life in Durham. A friendly pro-active group of blind and partially sighted people that meet regularly. Includes a veterans group.
  • Blind Veterans UK. Blind Veterans UK is a national charity for ex-service personnel that have experienced severe sight loss.
  • Care after Combat. Care after Combat provides support to veterans of the UK armed forces and their families in England and Wales, particularly those navigating the justice system.
  • Citizens Advice. Housing help is available for those leaving or who have left the armed forces
  • Combat Stress. Combat Stress is a mental health charity that provides support for veterans of the UK armed forces, focusing on complex mental health issues resulting from service.
  • Defence Medical Welfare Service. The Defence Medical Welfare Service is an independent charity providing medical welfare to those who are serving or have served on the frontline, including the armed forces, the Merchant Navy, the NHS and the Police.
  • East Durham Veterans Trust. The East Durham Veterans Trust provides support around mental health, finance, housing and social inclusion to veterans and their families in the North East.
  • First Defence Finance.First Defence Finance is a credit union that provides serving armed forces personnel veterans and their families with simple savings and affordable loans.
  • Forces Employment Charity. The Forces Employment Charity provides employment and training support to service leavers, veterans, reservists and their spouses and partners.
  • Forces MoneyPlan. Forces MoneyPlan is a free and confidential service that offers general financial advice to armed forces personnel and veterans.
  • Forces Pension Society. The Forces Pension Society is a subscription-based membership organisation that provides its members with guidance on armed forces pensions and ensures the fair treatment of all members on pensions matters.
  • Give Us Time. Give Us Time provides respite breaks to serving, veteran and bereaved UK armed forces families to spend vital time together.
  • Haig Housing Trust. The Trust endeavours to help eligible veterans in housing need, whether they are transitioning into civilian life or are simply in need of a helping hand.
  • Help for Heroes. Help for Heroes is a charity that supports those who have served in the UK armed forces, no matter when or where they served.
  • Little Troopers. Little Troopers is a registered charity supporting all military children who have parent(s) serving in our British Armed Forces, regular or reserve.
  • National Gulf Veterans and Families Association. The National Gulf Veterans and Families Association is a charity that aims to improve the quality of life for all veterans of desert conflicts and their families, partners and carers.
  • Naval Children’s Charity. The Naval Children's Charity provides financial support and guidance for the wellbeing and development of children from serving and veteran Royal Navy families.
  • Op COURAGE. Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help veterans and their families in England.
  • Op FORTITUDE. Op FORTITUDE is the government-backed centralised referral pathway designed to support veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
  • Op NOVA. Op NOVA provides support for veterans who are in contact with the justice system in England, enabling them to access the services they need.
  • Op RESTORE. The veterans’ physical health and wellbeing service for those who have service in the UK Armed Forces.
  • PTSD Resolution. PTSD Resolution offer mental health support for UK armed forces veterans, reservists and their families.
  • RAF Benevolent Fund. The RAF Benevolent Fund provides lifelong support to serving and ex-serving RAF personnel and their families.
  • Royal Air Forces Association. The Royal Air Forces Association is a charity and membership organisation that provides a range of services to the RAF community, from physical and mental health support to help with finances and social isolation.
  • Royal British Legion. The Royal British Legion is the UK's largest armed forces charity and provides a range of support to veterans and their families.
  • Royal Naval Benevolent Fund. The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust makes financial grants, in times of need and crisis, to serving and ex-serving Royal Navy ratings and Royal Marines other ranks and their dependants.
  • Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity funds projects and facilities that support the wellbeing of serving personnel and veterans of the Naval Service, along with their families.
  • SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity. SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans and their families in their time of need.
  • Support for Veterans and their Families. A searchable gov.uk directory listing organisations that provide support to veterans of the UK armed forces and their families. Results can be filtered by type of support and location.
  • The Armed Forces Veterans & Breakfast Club. Local groups of veterans who meet up monthly, usually at weekends, for breakfast and Banter. The Armed Forces Veterans & Breakfast Clubs are informal, community based organisations that provide a supportive and welcoming environment for veterans of the Armed Forces.
  • The Veterans Charity. The Veterans Charity is an immediate needs support charity for veterans who find themselves experiencing hardship and the distress it causes.
  • The Veterans Community and Enterprise Centre (Newton Aycliffe) CIC. The Community and Enterprise Centre will offer a safe, inclusive space and diverse setting, where veterans can talk to a supportive team of qualified people about their issues. It will help combat loneliness and enable individuals to feel included and help them integrate into the local community.
  • Veterans in Need. A comprehensive help and information website in the UK, supporting members of the Armed Forces, Veterans, their Families, and community members.
  • Veterans Welfare Service. The Veterans Welfare Service is part of the Ministry of Defence, and supports veterans and their families with issues around benefits, bereavement support and compensation schemes.
  • Walking with the Wounded. Walking With The Wounded supports those who served and their families through mental health, employment and care coordination programmes.

  • County Durham Resilience Service. County Durham Resilience service is a community support service for adults (18 years and over).
  • Mental Health Self-Help Guides. Self-help guides covering a wide range of topics such as depression, anxiety and stress. The guides offer users the opportunity to find out more about the causes of mental health issues and provide tools to work through feelings and emotions.
  • MIND. Mind is a mental health charity that offers support across England and Wales.
  • The ARCH Recovery College in Durham and the Recovery College Online. The ARCH Recovery College in Durham offers courses for adults struggling with their mental health. The Recovery College Online provides a range of co-created, online educational courses and resources to people who might be struggling with their mental health, families, friends, mental health workers and anyone else who might be interested.​​​​​​​
  • TEWV Mindfulness service. Mindfulness based cognitive therapy for adults in County Durham and Darlington, Teesside and most of North Yorkshire, York and Selby
  • Togetherall. A safe community to support your mental health, 24/7.

If you would like to find out more, contact our Macmillan Information and Support Centres on: 01388 455231 or email: cdda-tr.macmillancdddft@nhs.net