View the Armed Forces Directory of Support Gwent
Veteran’s Gateway
The Veterans’ Gateway is the first point of contact for veterans seeking support. A veteran is anyone who has served for at least one day in HM Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations.
Text: 81212
Call: 0808 802 1212 – lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Welsh Government
The Welsh Government is committed to supporting the Armed Forces community in Wales and has published a Package of Support on the Welsh Government website.
Further support
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity - the national charity giving support to serving soldiers, former soldiers and their immediate families when they are in need.
Alabare – Homes for Veterans Wales - provides supported accommodation to British armed forces veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Alcoholics Anonymous - support and advice on alcohol addiction.
Armed Forces Education Trust – a charity working for children and young adults whose education has been compromised or put at risk as a result of parents’ past or current service in the Armed Forces.
Blesma - helps serving and ex-servicemen and women who have lost limbs, or lost the use of limbs or eyes, to rebuild their lives by providing rehabilitation activities and welfare support.
Blind Veterans UK - Blind Veterans UK helps blind ex-service men and women lead independent and fulfilling lives.
Career Transition Partnership (CTP) - training courses, recruitment and career advice for service leavers undergoing resettlement.
Change Step - a veteran support programme in Wales that aims to help veterans and their families tackle serious stress and mental health-related challenges.
Citizens Advice Bureau - free information and advice on legal, money and other related problems.
Combat Stress - the UK's leading veterans' mental health charity.
Dewis Cymru – a resource to find information and advice on well-being - including being well, being social, being safe and managing your money.
Fighting with Pride - supports the health and wellbeing of LGBT+ Veterans, service personnel and their families.
Gamblers Anonymous - help for compulsive gamblers including a forum, chat room, literature and most importantly a meeting finder.
Help for Heroes - founded in 2007 to provide direct, practical support for wounded, injured and sick service personnel, veterans and their loved ones.
Hire a Hero - supports service leavers and veterans to make the successful transition into civilian life.
Jobcentre Plus - aims to help people of working age find employment in the UK.
Melo – information, advice and self-help resources from Aneurin Bevan Health Board to help you look after your mental health and well-being.
Mind Cymru - can help if you are experiencing mental health problems or going through a difficult time in your life.
MOD and Veterans UK – Information for Veterans needing urgent help
Newport Veterans Hub - a veterans social and support group that aims to bring veterans out of isolation and give them a place to socialise and make new friends, creating their own support network.
Newport Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club - a social group for serving members of the Armed Forces and Veterans who live in the Newport area.
Newport Live – free swimming for Veterans with a Defence Privilege Card at public swimming times and corporate membership rates for those serving or in receipt of a military pension.
The Poppy Factory - supports ex-service men and women with health challenges into fulfilling employment.
RAFBF – Royal Air Force benevolent fund - the RAF's leading welfare charity for serving and former members of the RAF, their partners and dependent children.
RFEA (the forces employment charity) - provides lifelong, life-changing support, jobs and training opportunities to service leavers and veterans, reservists and their families.
Royal Air Forces Association - a membership organisation and registered charity that provides welfare support to the RAF family.
The Royal Artillery Association - supports Royal Artillery Veterans and Royal Artillery serving soldiers and their families. Material and financial support on a case by case basis
Royal British Legion - lifelong support for serving men and women, veterans, and their families.
Samaritans Cymru - If you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to, Samaritans will listen.
You can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 116 123 (free from any phone) or email: [email protected].
You can also call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line (free from any phone) on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).
SSAFA - can help provide practical, financial and emotional support for service personnel, veterans and their families.
Supporting Service Children in Education Cymru – guidance for service families with children in education.
Veterans Bereavement Support Service - provides support to those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, Merchant Navy and Emergency Services through bereavement and loss throughout the year.
Veterans NHS Wales - one service across Wales working to provide outpatient assessment and psychological therapy for ex-service personnel, with a service related mental health difficulty.
Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) - support to enable the transition from service to civilian life, assist bereaved families and respond to life events that present welfare needs.
Walking with the Wounded - supporting all veterans with injuries to gain skills and qualifications.
Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust - aims to provide relief in cases of necessity or distress among its members and their dependants. The Trust can also make grants for the education of members.
Woody’s Lodge – A meeting place for those who’ve served in the Armed Forces or Emergency Services offering advice & support, friendship & camaraderie as well like-minded people. Help is also available to the families and loved one of those who have served.