With a strong armed forces presence throughout the county, Essex has lots of support services for veterans and their families including:
Combat 2 Coffee are a Suffolk based Social Enterprise, using coffee as a social and wellbeing engagement tool. The Coffee Cell is located in Northgate Street Ipswich, where they serve coffee, and you can have a chat. Outreach workers have conversations with Veterans and their families and can support them with their mental health and wellbeing. Combat 2 Coffee can refer to other services that can support. They also train aspiring baristas and support the skills and community engagement of veterans in custody. They attend community events with their Combat2Coffee mobile units throughout Essex and Suffolk.
Breakeven supports anyone affected by gambling-related harm, whether you are the gambler, partner, family member, friend or work colleague. For every person who gambles, there are between 6-10 people also affected and willing to support, and we are here to support you all. The treatment we provide is free, flexible and confidential and can be delivered via face-to-face, telephone or online sessions. Their counsellors will provide you with a safe space to talk about how gambling affects you and work with you to find ways to help you take control of your life, move forward and feel better.
The Royal British Legion provides care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families.
The Royal British Legion’s area welfare teams offer help to anyone who is serving, has served, or is the dependent or carer of someone who has served in the UK’s Armed Forces.
The Legion offer financial aid in an urgent crisis, helps homeless ex-service people get back on their feet, advises on compensation claims, offers career advice for those looking to make a fresh start after leaving the Forces, arranges home or hospital visits and much more.
The Royal British Legion operate a free telephone helpline open 8 am-8 pm, seven days a week (0808 802 8080 – free from UK landlines and mobiles).
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans and their families in their time of need. Founded in 1885, we’re extremely proud of our long-standing heritage and of all the work we do with inspiring people from Essex, across the UK and around the world.
Welcome to North East Essex Sanctuary. Whether you’re experiencing a mental health crisis or need support to stay well, they can provide a safe, compassionate space for you. Their aim is for you to receive the right care at the right time, in a way that’s best for you. With hubs in Colchester and Clacton.
Their mission is to provide support and empower all those living with poor mental health in South East and Central Essex. The charity serves the Chelmsford, Castle Point, Rochford, South Woodham Ferrers and Southend areas helping support local people with their mental health and well being needs.
A dedicated Employment Consultant will provide personalised, holistic employment support to veterans across the East of England region. Helping veterans to overcome barriers to employment, building their support networks, improving their wellbeing and stability, and moving into work.
You can find out more about The Poppy Factory’s project being run in partnership with Veterans Voice at The Poppy Factory
Healthwatch Essex is working with the Armed Forces Community across Essex to improve services. As part of the Veterans Voice project, they will be running a Veterans Fella Fair in June to deliver a healthy dose of comedy to help break the stigma of mental health.
HWE is also delivering targeted events across Essex and Suffolk to raise greater awareness of support services available to the Armed Forces Community.
You can find out more about these projects being run in partnership with Veterans Voice at
Greenpath Ventures is based at Yarra Farm in Colchester, providing outdoor opportunities for those struggling with mental or physical health problems, or who may feel isolated. As part of the Veterans Voice project, members of the Armed Forces Community are encouraged to come along and take part.
You can find out more about these projects being run in partnership with Veterans Voice at
Supporting anyone who is or has served in HM Armed Forces
Including family members: spouses, widows/widowers, dependants
