Beyond poppies

From supporting veterans and their families in debt and emergency situations to providing breaks for service families, our initiatives provide vital support for the Armed Forces community.

The same support is also available for those who are experiencing multiple challenges such as being out of work, dealing with mental health problems, financial issues and alcohol abuse.

The programme's flagship is the £27m Battle Back Centre at Lilleshall in the West Midlands, which provides sports and adventure activities designed to promote self-confidence and improve motivation to aid recovery.

Tailored programmes help the wounded cope with both physical and psychological challenges.

Our employment support service helps serving and ex-serving personnel and their families prepare for employment as they transition into civilian life.

Our team can give you advice on how to put your skills to good use and get the best job for you, or refer you to one of our partners for support.

We can also provide funding for additional training or education through our employment grant scheme
Anyone planning on starting a business will also be supported in their ambition.

We provide guidance on business plans, finances and tax requirements. Specialist assistance is also available to put together a business plan, source funding and even find mentors.

Help to live independently

Not everyone is a DIY whiz and not all former members of the services are equipped to tackle repair jobs.

However, rather than booking a handyman, our team provide support across 21 counties to help with minor home adaptations and repairs for older or less able veterans and their families.

The fully trained team assists with maintenance around the home­ covering everything from putting up shelves and grab rails, to building access ramps and storage sheds to provide shelter for personal mobility vehicles.

They can also install care phones - a telephone-based unit worn on a user's wrist or neck that can be used to summon help in an emergency.

Parents are not left out either. Week-long breaks for service families are offered at four of our centres in traditional British seaside resorts during the Easter, summer and October school holidays. We are not currently taking new applications for the Family Holiday service.

Guests are free to take in the sea air while exploring the coast or visiting local tourist attractions. The breaks offer rest and recuperation for people recovering from life-changing events such as illness or bereavement.

We provide care in the shape of purpose built dementia wings at four of our six residential care homes in Somerset, Warwickshire, Norfolk and north Yorkshire.

We also have a team of specialist, Admiral Nurses - developed in partnership with Dementia UK - who work in the community.

Currently operating in Lancashire, the west Midlands, Hampshire and Somerset, they offer specialist support, information and advice to the family carers of people living with dementia within the Armed Forces community.

Our financial team provides support and guidance in the event ex-service people and their families suffer money problems or need guidance to help set up a new home or access benefits.

It also provides help with debt and other unexpected crises, plus support through grants.

We have also set up MoneyForce, a dedicated website designed to improve understanding of financial issues with information on essentials like interest charges or buying a home.

It gives currently serving and ex-service men and women the skills they need to manage their money, smoothing the transition to civilian life.

Managed in partnership with the Ministry of Defence and Standard Life Charitable Trust, the scheme has saved beneficiaries £70m through increases in benefits, tax credits, writing off debts and gaining grants since it began in 2007.