Soldiers, veterans and their families will continue to receive personalised support during times of hardship, thanks to our grant of £222,360 to SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
When members of the Army family face challenges such as financial hardship, bereavement, poor health or caring responsibilities, knowing where to turn can be difficult. SSAFA’s casework service provides practical and emotional support tailored to individual circumstances, helping people access the assistance they need to overcome difficulties and regain stability.
The Army Benevolent Fund’s funding will contribute towards the delivery of SSAFA’s casework service, enabling trained caseworkers and volunteers to continue supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families across the UK. Support can range from securing home adaptations that help people live independently to providing a listening ear and connecting individuals with specialist services.
The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) and SSAFA have worked together for decades, with the first ABF grant to SSAFA awarded in 1945. Today, SSAFA caseworkers play a vital role in helping the Army’s charities identify and support members of the Army family in need. Nearly half of the requests for ABF financial assistance are submitted by SSAFA caseworkers on behalf of soldiers, veterans and their dependants.
One beneficiary supported through SSAFA’s casework service was Army veteran Jane*, who was struggling following the death of her husband while managing her own serious health conditions. A SSAFA caseworker helped her access financial support, ease her debts and secure ongoing assistance, allowing her to remain in her home and focus on her wellbeing.
Reflecting on the support she received, Jane said:
“It was like Christmas. The best things I bought with the grant were a new dressing gown and PJs; they were warm, and I didn’t have warm clothes.”
She added:
“My caseworker said SSAFA, ABF, and the military community were there for me, that they were my family, and now I know they are.”
Air Marshal Steve Shell, SSAFA CEO, said:
“Stories like Jane’s demonstrate the absolute value of casework that this generous award from the Army Benevolent Fund supports, an award that bolsters the casework service that sits at the heart of everything SSAFA does.
“The challenges faced by those we support are becoming more complex, placing greater demands on our services. Funding like this is therefore more important than ever, and we are extremely grateful to the ABF for its continued partnership and support.”
Brigadier (Ret’d) Peter Monteith, Chief Operating Officer, Army Benevolent Fund, added:
“The ABF is delighted to support SSAFA with a grant of £222,360 towards the charity’s casework service. Working closely with Corps and Regimental charities, the ABF provides thousands of individual grants each year, relying on SSAFA’s casework to ensure that soldiers, veterans and their families get the help they need, when they need it. We are proud to continue this long-standing partnership which makes such a difference to the Army family.”
*Name changed to protect privacy.