When your loved one leaves the forces, everything changes. Your routine, structure and community. Life shifts for the whole family. 

But you're not alone. We're here for you.

We can offer direct support to veterans’ partners, carers and children aged 18 and over. We can also help you find age-appropriate services for younger family members too. And, if we can't provide the support you are looking for, we will put you in touch with someone who can.

How we can help

Our dedicated family team will work with you to create a personalised plan that helps you all move forward. How? By offering practical guidance, assistance, and advice for a wide range of challenges. This could include

  • Mental health support
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Home and finance
  • Connecting with your community
  • Tools to help your family thrive.

You can find out more about our range of services available to family members below.

Get support

Mental health support

If you're a family member aged 18 and over, we can provide access to Hidden Wounds, our mental health therapy service. Our therapists use a range of approaches to support you and can also provide practical support for other challenges that may be affecting your family's well-being.

If you’re living with or caring for someone who is struggling with their mental health, we offer CRAFT, a 10-session one-to-one intervention for partners and family members.

If you're looking for support for someone under the age of 18, we can provide you with information about Kooth, a 24/7 free, safe, and anonymous online mental health support platform for younger family members (aged 11–24). Kooth is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and is moderated by clinical professionals.

    In crisis? Find out how you can get urgent support

    If you need support urgently or outside of our working hours, please don’t hesitate to contact

    SAMARITANS

    Freephone their national helpline on 116 123 (24/7) to access confidential emotional support for feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts

    SHOUT

    A crisis text support service for people in the military community who are struggling and need immediate support to get through a crisis. Text CONTACT to 85258. #TextCONTACT85258

    NHS 111

    To access medical help fast but when it’s not a 999 emergency, telephone 111 (available 24 hours). To access information from the NHS on conditions, treatments, local services and healthy living, visit the NHS website.

    COMBAT STRESS

    For urgent psychological support, please call 0800 1381619.

    SHELTER

    For urgent housing support, please call 0808 800 4444.

    Recovery college and self-help guides

    As a family member, you can access our Recovery College. This provides a wide range of free courses specifically designed for the Armed Forces community, to help you develop knowledge and skills that move you and your family forward. Topics include

    • Getting started
    • Managing finances
    • Healthy eating and nutrition
    • Mental health and wellbeing challenges such as anger, anxiety and low mood
    • Physical health issues such as sleep, pain and hearing loss
    • Self-care for carers.

    You can take part in live online sessions or explore self-help guides at your own pace.

    Explore recovery college

    Connecting with your community

    When you feel part of your local community, it can really boost your family's sense of wellbeing. That's why we help you find sports, leisure and social activities to enjoy in your area. This could include

    • Sports taster sessions, including adaptive sports
    • Regular classes and clubs
    • Family-friendly activities
    • Social activities

    Not sure where to start? Why not try dropping into one of our cafes.

    Events near me


    Other ways we may be able to help

    Home and finance support

    • Offer advice on benefits and other support you might be entitled to, and how to claim
    • Provide one-off grants to support your daily and cost of living challenges
    • Advise on finding employment, volunteering, or training opportunities
    • Provide tools to help you understand your finances and gain new skills.

    Health and wellbeing

    • Support you when talking to teaching staff, if your child is having difficulty at school
    • Provide advice on safeguarding and social services issues
    • Help you feel safe and secure in your home environment
    • Arrange home adaptations for veterans in your family such as ramps, widened doorways or accessible bathrooms and kitchens
    • Provide access to clinical support for veterans facing physical health challenges 
    • Help combat isolation by connecting your family with your local community.

    What’s been really helpful for us with the support from Help for Heroes is we feel part of something now, we don’t feel alone."
    Elaine

    Ex-servicewoman and family member

    Read Elaine's story

    Get Help

    If your family would benefit from some support, you'll need to go through our Get Help process. You can call our friendly helpline team on 0300 303 9888, or complete the online form. 

    Get help

    If it wasn’t for my case manager, my family wouldn’t still be together."

    Nicola

    Family member

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