When a parent or carer’s life has been affected by military service, it can affect the whole family.

Our family case managers work with veterans and their families to help plan, oversee, and co-ordinate the support everyone needs. 

If you think they can help you, they'll be beside you and your family every step of the way, to help with any challenges you may face.


Welfare support for the whole family

We can help with a wide range of issues affecting you and your family.

Maybe you’re moving home? If so, we can support you. From guidance on social housing or rent, to help with home adaptations. Once you’re in your new place, we can help your family build a local support network by introducing you to clubs and activities.

Perhaps your child is having difficulty at school? We can help you talk to teaching staff or provide support for your child’s mental health. We can also help with any safeguarding and social services involvement.

We can support you if you're having trouble applying for benefits, looking for a job, and a lot more. If there's anything that's affecting your family's health or happiness, let us know. If we can't help you ourselves, we'll work with you to find out who can.


Do you think you and your family could benefit from some support?

Talk to a family case manager

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

If your child is struggling with their mental health while waiting for an appointment with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), we can organise private counselling in the meantime.

If you think your child or young person could benefit from this, talk to your Help for Heroes family case manager. If you don't have one, visit our ask for help page or call 0300 303 9888.

Online mental health support

Children and young people can also access free online mental health support, 24-hours a day, seven days a week. This is through a partnership we have with a company called Kooth.

This is a safe online space for children and young people to explore their mental health and wellbeing, and to ask for help if they need it. The support is personalised and anonymous for anyone aged between 11 and 24.

Children and young people can:

  • access Kooth through their laptop, tablet or phone
  • get 1-2-1 text based counselling
  • take part in anonymous discussions with other young people
  • access content and self-help tools.

Share the kooth.com/helpforheroes link with your child or young person if you think they could benefit from it.

Kooth is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and it’s moderated by clinical professionals.

Male parent walking in fields with children

If you think a child or young person is in immediate risk because of their mental health, and you cannot speak to a professional counsellor, the following services can help:

  • You can call Samaritans free, day or night, on 116 123.
  • Mind has information for children and young people.
  • Text 'SHOUT' to 85258 to receive free and confidential mental health support text messages. This is from a charity called Mental Health Innovations.
  • The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) has a helpline - 0115 854 2299.
  • If someone's life is in danger, call 999.

Strengthening family relationships

When life is busy, everyday pressure can affect the relationships between parents and children. Parenting can be challenging if you're struggling with your mental health.

Our Nurture Programme will help you work through difficulties you may face as parents. And will show you how positive parenting can improve family life and children's mental health.

Run over six weeks, the free course will help you:

  • Learn how to feel and show empathy towards your children, by seeing things through their eyes.
  • Communicate better with your children.
  • Become more aware of yourself. So for example, you know what might trigger any anger and how to ease this.
  • Discipline your children in a positive way.
  • Feel confident parenting your children.
  • Build a happy, healthy family.

    Talk to your family case manager if you're interested in this course.

    Support with your wellbeing

    If you and your family feel part of your local community, this can really help your mental health and wellbeing.

    That's why we run an exciting range of free sport, leisure and social activities for Armed Forces families across the UK. Why not have a look what's going on in your area.

    Whether you’re looking for a taster session or a weekly class. A residential trip, or an activity for the whole family. Whatever your age or ability, there’s something for everyone, including adaptive sport.

    And there are plenty of social activities you and your family can get involved with. You could paint, do model making, photography and lots more.

    You can also meet likeminded people on cultural visits or join fellow Armed Forces families on fun days. 

    Talk to your family case manager if you're interested.

    Recovery College

    You could also take one of our free courses. Topics they cover include healthy eating, managing anxiety, how to sleep better, and how to manage pain. You can join sessions online or use our self-help guides.

    Energy and food grants

    If you're struggling to make ends meet, we can provide grants to meet the rising costs of energy and food bills.

    We can also let you know about other organisations who might be able to help.

    If you need support with this, talk to your case manager. 

    Do you think you and your family could benefit from some support?

    Talk to a family case manager