SSAFA Forces Help
Encyclopedia
SSAFA Forces Help is a British based charitable organization
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
set up to help former and serving members of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
British Armed Forces
British Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces are the armed forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown, the British Armed Forces encompasses three professional uniformed services, the Royal Navy, the...
and their families
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
or dependents. To be eligible for their assistance all that is required is one day's paid work for any of the United Kingdom's armed forces.
History
The Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association was founded in 1885 by James GildeaJames Gildea
Colonel Sir James Gildea GBE KCVO CB was a British Army Militia officer and philanthropist who founded the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association....
. It later, in 1919, became a charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
which was called the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) after the establishment of the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
in 1918. SSAFA Forces Help was established in 1997 when two charities, the "Forces Help Society", and "SSAFA", merged.
Objects
The objects for which the Association is established and incorporated are to relieve the need, suffering and distress of the following persons:- a. Members and former members of all ranks of all Branches of Our Land, Sea and Air Forces ("anyone who has ever served");
- b. Wives, former wives, husbands, former husbands, families, widows, widowers, children and other dependents of the members and former members of all ranks of all Branches of Our Land, Sea and Air Forces.
- c. Members and former members of the Mercantile Marine who sailed under Admiralty Charter and their dependents;
- d. Members and former members of the Nursing Services of all Branches of Our Land, Sea and Air Forces, and of the Association's Professional Nursing and Welfare Service;
- e. British members of the Palestine Police Force who served in World War II and their dependents;
- f. Citizens of our United Kingdom, currently stationed overseas in Service establishments, and having the status of being part of the Armed Forces, both while they are stationed abroad and during their repatriation for a period ending no more than six months following their return to the United Kingdom.
With the money raised, SSAFA Forces Help can offer a range of support services:
- Ensure their services overseas and in the UK are maintained and developed,
- Recruit volunteers to spend time with families and serving personnel,
- Support Stepping Stones homes for young families coping with change,
- Support national awareness campaigns to reach those in need,
- Supply training for volunteers within the UK branch network,
- Run the Norton Homes, providing accommodation for families of injured Service Personnel,
- Run National support groups for bereaved families and families of injured service personnel.
See also
- Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
- British ArmyBritish ArmyThe British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
- Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
- The Royal British LegionThe Royal British LegionThe Royal British Legion , sometimes referred to as simply The Legion, is the United Kingdom's leading charity providing financial, social and emotional support to those who have served or who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces, and their dependants.-History:The British Legion was...
- Army Benevolent FundArmy Benevolent FundABF The Soldiers' Charity, formerly the Army Benevolent Fund is a British charity. It is the British Army's national charity and provides financial and practical support to soldiers, former soldiers, and their families in times of need....
- Royal Air Forces AssociationRoyal Air Forces AssociationThe Royal Air Forces Association, more often known as RAF Association, or simply RAFA, is a UK based charitable organization which provides care and support to serving and retired members of the "Royal Air Forces" and their dependents.The organisation, which was formed in 1943, receives no funding...
- RAF Benevolent FundRAF Benevolent FundThe Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund is the Royal Air Force's leading welfare charity, providing financial, practical and emotional support to serving and former members of the RAF - regardless of rank - as well as their partners and dependents.They help members of the RAF family deal with a wide...