With a strong armed forces presence throughout the county, Suffolk 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.
Suffolk Family Carers is a registered charity dedicated to supporting unpaid family carers across Suffolk. For over 30 years, they have provided information, advice, and guidance to carers of all ages who look after individuals with long-term illnesses, mental health challenges, or disabilities. Their services include workshops, courses, emotional support, and assistance with carers’ assessments. They also offer specialised support for young carers, adult carers, and parent carers, ensuring that carers receive the help they need to manage their roles effectively. Additionally, Suffolk Family Carers operates a hub that handles over 14,000 calls annually, providing a listening ear and practical assistance to those in need.
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 Suffolk, across the UK and around the world.
Headway Suffolk is a registered charity that offers advice, support, rehabilitation and support services to anyone (over the age of 16) who has, during their lifetime, sustained a brain injury through traumatic accident, stroke, virus, tumour, neurological condition or other similar event.
Kitchener’s is a unique Suffolk based charity offering holidays and short breaks in Lowestoft, on the East Coast, for serving and veteran enlisted members of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Merchant Navy, and blue light services. Discounted breaks are extended to widows/widowers, and immediate family members.
Families Together Suffolk are a local charity that is focused on ensuring families have access to the networks, knowledge and skills that provide a strong foundation for their child’s future.
They do this through 1-1 Support, Home visiting, Group Work and Early Intervention.
Mind Suffolk are on a mission to make Suffolk the best place in the world for talking about and taking care of mental health! Suffolk Mind supports people from the age of 4 upwards, through:
Working across the Mental Health Continuum, we aim to provide support and information for everyone.
DAS (Disability Advice Service, East Suffolk), is a friendly local charity. Working at the heart of the East Suffolk community since 1985. They advise children and adults with disability related issues. They also advise family members and carers.
Their charity objective is: “The relief of children and adults with disabilities and their carers in East Suffolk and nearby areas.”
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
The hospital’s Armed Forces Support Service provides support to patients who have served, ensuring that the hospital is a friendly and welcoming place for staff, patients, and veteran visitors. The Armed Forces Support and Engagement Officer, a veteran herself, runs a range of community-focused events and drop-ins for Veterans and their families, as well as an active engagement programme with local care homes to identify veterans in their care. You can read more about their project in our dedicated section:
Supporting anyone who is or has served in HM Armed Forces
Including family members: spouses, widows/widowers, dependants
