Armed Forces & Veterans

Dedicated support for serving personnel, veterans and military families navigating SEND, transition and everyday life — from a team that understands the unique challenges of forces life.

About
Promotional poster for NeuroDiverse Community CIC titled “Armed Forces Families Support.” It advertises tri-service support for Army, RAF, Navy, veterans and families, offering practical guidance during moves, transitions and settling into a new area. The poster includes images/icons representing the Army, RAF, Navy and families. It says support is available for moving and relocation steps, what to do when posted to a new area, school, EHCP and local support transitions, consultations and practical guidance, and ongoing support for veterans and families. Consultation and support starts from £45. Contact details shown are info@neurodiverse-community.co.uk and 01325522362.

Armed Forces & Veterans

Military life brings unique pressures — frequent relocations, deployment, transition to civilian life, and navigating SEND systems that change with every posting. At NDC, many of our team have lived experience of forces life, so we understand these challenges first-hand.

Our armed forces programme provides peer-led support, practical guidance and a genuine community for serving personnel, veterans and their families — whether you’re based in Catterick, Windsor or anywhere in between.
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Tailored to Forces Life

Every forces family’s situation is different. Whether you’re dealing with SEND assessments mid-posting, supporting a child through yet another school move, or navigating the transition out of service — we meet you where you are and build support around your specific circumstances.
  • SEND Navigation: Help with EHCPs, school placements and local authority processes — especially when you've just been posted to a new area
  • Peer Support Groups: Connect with other forces families who understand the lifestyle, the moves and the pressures
  • Transition Support: Practical guidance for veterans and those leaving service, including employment support and accessing civilian services
  • Wellbeing & Mental Health: Safe spaces to talk, decompress and access signposting to specialist support
  • Family Activities: Inclusive sessions for the whole family — building connections and reducing isolation
  • Armed Forces Covenant Support: We're a Covenant-friendly organisation and can help you access the support you're entitled to
Promotional poster for NeuroDiverse Community CIC titled “Armed Forces Families Support.” It advertises tri-service support for Army, RAF, Navy, veterans and families, offering practical guidance during moves, transitions and settling into a new area. The poster includes images/icons representing the Army, RAF, Navy and families. It says support is available for moving and relocation steps, what to do when posted to a new area, school, EHCP and local support transitions, consultations and practical guidance, and ongoing support for veterans and families. Consultation and support starts from £45. Contact details shown are info@neurodiverse-community.co.uk and 01325522362.
Grey and white Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award logo. The design shows a crowned lion holding a Union Jack flag above the words “Armed Forces Covenant.” Below, bold text reads “Employer Recognition Scheme” and “Silver Award.”

Our Approach

At NDC, our armed forces support is shaped by lived experience of military life. We use practical, peer-led methods to help forces families navigate SEND, transition and everyday challenges — at their own pace.
  • SEND Navigation: Guidance on EHCPs, school placements and local authority processes — especially when you've just been posted to a new area
  • Peer Support Groups: Connect with other forces families who understand the lifestyle, the moves and the pressures
  • Transition Support: Practical help for veterans and those leaving service, including employment guidance and accessing civilian services
  • Wellbeing & Mental Health: Safe, confidential spaces to talk, decompress and access signposting to specialist support
  • Armed Forces Covenant: We help you understand and access the support you and your family are entitled to
  • Family Activities: Inclusive sessions that bring families together, build connections and reduce isolation
Partnership in Mind logo with a dark navy banner and large white text reading “Partnership in Mind.” Above the title is an icon of three hands in blue, light blue and red. Below the banner are the logos for “Thrive Together” and “The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.”
Little Troopers logo with the words “little TROOPERS” in purple, white and red, alongside a small Union Jack-style graphic and a silhouette of an adult holding a child’s hand. Underneath, the tagline reads “For all Forces Families.”
Reading Force logo showing the words “Reading Force” in dark green, with an open book graphic containing a camouflage pattern.
A teal graphic with a white circle in the centre showing the RFS logo. Curved white text reads “I’m proud to be an RFS community champion,” with a red ribbon-style banner across the middle. Text at the bottom reads “Strengthening Military Families and Defence.”
Purple banner with white border reading “Proud Defenders of the Forces Children’s Rights Charter” and “Learn more: forceschildrenscotland.org.uk.” On the left is a circular badge with a cartoon child and the text “I am a proud rights defender” and “Forces children’s rights.”
Green rectangular graphic with bold dark text reading “#SCOTTYS PLEDGE.”
Groups

Our Sessions and Support

Forces Families Drop-In

**Alternative text:** A person smiling behind a NeuroDiverse Community information stall at a community safety event. The table displays leaflets, visual communication resources, sensory ear defenders, PDA information and support materials for neurodivergent individuals, families and Armed Forces communities. Other organisation stands and attendees are visible in the background.

Informal sessions for military families to connect, share experiences and access SEND advice in a relaxed setting.

All ages · Catterick & Windsor

Veterans Peer Support

A smiling couple dressed formally at an Armed Forces event, standing on a large concrete helipad at sunset. One person is wearing a dark green evening dress, and the other is wearing a white military-style dress jacket with medals, black trousers and a bow tie. A military helicopter and personnel are visible in the background beneath a dramatic cloudy sky.

A safe, confidential group for veterans to talk openly about transition, wellbeing and navigating life after service.

Ages 18+ · In-person & Online

SEND & Posting Support

An adult in formal military uniform stands indoors with three smiling children. The children are dressed smartly, with two wearing red jumpers and the older child wearing a black floral dress and cardigan. The group are standing by a large window in a warmly lit room.

One-to-one guidance for families dealing with SEND assessments, school moves and EHCP transfers between local authorities.

All ages · In-person & Online

Family Activity Sessions

An adult smiling warmly while holding a young child indoors. The child is wearing a dark blue top with red detail and holding a strawberry, looking towards the camera. The background is softly blurred with warm lighting and greenery visible through a window.

Inclusive, fun sessions for the whole family — building confidence, connections and community.

All ages · Catterick & Windsor

Looking for more?

Below are some of the organisations who work with the MOD to support serving, reserve, cadet, veterans and MOD families

Army Carers

Army Carers Network (Army Carers Net) was established to support serving Army personnel who have caring responsibilities, including those caring for family members with SEND, disabilities, mental health needs, acute or chronic illness, or other additional needs. The network provides a community where serving carers can connect with others who understand the challenges of balancing military service with caring responsibilities, access advice and support, and be signposted towards relevant Army, MOD and external services. It also has links with wider Defence networks including the Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum (FANDF) and CANDID, helping to strengthen awareness and support for carers across Defence.

Army Supportability Additional Needs and Carers Guide
Defence Dyslexia Network logo on a pale blue background, featuring the words “Defence Dyslexia Network” alongside a vertical multicoloured bar in yellow, blue, red and green.

Defence Dyslexia Network (DDN) is a lived-experience-led network supporting serving Armed Forces personnel, MOD civil servants and veterans who are dyslexic, think they may be dyslexic, or are neurodivergent. The network works to improve understanding of dyslexia across Defence, challenge misconceptions, share experiences and promote more inclusive working and learning environments. It also helps individuals connect with information, peer support and routes to appropriate workplace or educational support, while advocating for greater awareness and recognition of the strengths that dyslexic and neurodivergent people bring to Defence.

You will need to log in to your Defence Gateway to access this information
Dyslexia in Defence logo featuring a navy-blue shield containing three interlocking blue puzzle-piece figures, symbolising unity, inclusion and support. Four coloured bars in yellow, red, blue and green sit across the top of the shield. The words “Dyslexia in Defence” appear in bold navy-blue lettering to the right, on a transparent background.

Dyslexia in Defence is a registered Community Interest Company, created to support people with dyslexia and neurodiversity across the UK Defence community by improving understanding, sharing lived experience, and connecting people to the right support.

 

They are an independent, volunteer led initiative. 

 

They publish plain English guidance for people joining, serving and leaving service, run a peer community where questions can be asked without judgement, share lived experience from across the Defence community, and signpost people to established support. 

Visit the website
The Forcer Protocol logo on a black background, featuring the words “THE FORCER PROTOCOL” in large, bold, white capital letters, arranged across three lines. Blue and red horizontal lines separate and underline the text. Beneath the logo, the tagline reads: “WHEN THE GUNS GO SILENT, THAT’S WHEN THE BATTLE BEGINS” in smaller, white italic capital letters.

The Forcer Protocol is a life-saving preventative measure for UK veterans and serving personnel, including reservists. Pre-share vital details, including health conditions, triggers and safe places, and if you’re ever reported missing, this can help speed up the search and help you access the right support. Born from lived experience and built with UK forces and veterans in mind, the Forcer Protocol is rolling out nationwide.

If you are a veteran, a serving member of the armed forces (regular or reservist), or a family member, you can register with The Forcer Protocol to ensure a rapid, more informed police response if ever reported missing or in crisis.

Registering in advance helps emergency services and supporting organisations to recognise your military background and act quickly to safeguard your wellbeing.

Register Here
Find out more
PTSD Resolution logo featuring bold white lettering on a rectangular background that transitions from dark red on the left to blue on the right. The letters “PTSD” appear against the red background, with “Resolution” extending across the blue background. Two narrow yellow diagonal lines separate sections of the text.

PTSD Resolution delivers professional counselling, face-to-face or online through their network of 200 therapists across the UK and globally.

 

They help former members of the UK Armed Forces, Reservists, and family members affected by PTSD, trauma, depression, anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and related mental health issues.

 

Call free on: 0300 302 0551

Register for help
Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) logo featuring a gold lion holding a staff entwined with a serpent, symbolising medical care and support. The initials “DMWS” appear below in bold dark green lettering. A vertical grey line separates the emblem from the organisation’s name, “Defence Medical Welfare Service”, in gold, with the tagline “Supporting the frontline” in dark green beneath.

Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is an independent charity providing medical welfare to those who have, and continue to, serve on the frontline.

 

Their services are proven to help people:

  • Have better experiences of healthcare and recover from illness quicker
  • Feel less stressed and anxious
  • Access financial support to reduce the stress of money
  • Feel less lonely and more connected to their communities
  • Enjoy positive relationships with families and friends
  • Find and stay in safe housing
  • Overcome alcohol and drug misuse
  • Access treatment for mental health illnesses such as PTSD
  • Stop thoughts of taking their own life
  • Find meaningful employment or volunteering after service
Find support
Pinnacle Service Families logo on a white background, featuring a colourful geometric star-shaped design in green, pink, red and purple, with the words “Pinnacle Group” in white at its centre. Below the symbol, “Pinnacle Service Families” appears in dark grey lettering across two lines.

Pinnacle Service Families helps look after homes for military families. They run the National Service Centre, where families can call to ask for help with repairs, moving in, moving out, or getting a home.

 

They support families living in Service Family Accommodation (SFA) across the UK, working with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).

 

They have teams who:

– Help families apply for and get their homes.
– Take repair calls and book appointments with DIO’s repair companies.
– Support move‑ins and move‑outs through local housing officers.

– Look after complaints and compensation when something needs to be put right.

 

HomeHub is an online system that helps Service families report and track housing repairs. It is available for homes maintained by DIO’s repairs contractors, Amey and VIVO.

With HomeHub you can:

– Request repairs and book appointments
– Check the progress of repairs
– See any outstanding repairs and manage appointments
– Log a complaint or compliment
– Update your contact details
– View your move‑in and move‑out documents

Register for HomeHub
Visit Pinnacle

The Ripple Pond exists to ensure that anyone caring for an injured veteran or serving personnel is truly seen, heard, and supported in their own right.

Whether the injury is physical, psychological, emotional or moral, their community is here for you.

 

They understand how challenging it can be to support a loved one, especially while navigating treatment pathways alongside the demands of everyday life. These challenges can feel even more overwhelming when combined with the complexities of military injury.
 

Whether you have experience of military life or not, and whether you are a parent, spouse, grandparent, sibling, adult child, chosen family member, or any kind of loved one, you are welcome here.
 

By joining The Ripple Pond, you’ll become part of a compassionate community of people who understand what you’re going through.
 

Membership is free, and as a member you’ll have access to the following support services:

  • Initial Contact
  • Peer Support Forums
  • Workshops and Events
  • Specialist Subject Talks
  • Peer Support Meet Ups
  • Specialist Support (Referrals and Navigation)
Join the Community
Veterans Dementia Support UK logo on a white background, featuring a navy-blue silhouette of a saluting veteran alongside a smaller figure, with a Union Jack design beneath them. To the right, the words “VETERANS DEMENTIA SUPPORT UK” appear in bold navy-blue and red capital letters. Below, the tagline reads: “TOGETHER WE REMEMBER, TOGETHER WE SUPPORT.”

Veterans Dementia Support UK are dedicated to providing compassionate support to Armed Forces, Merchant Navy, and Emergency Services families affected by dementia, Alzheimer’s, or memory loss.

 

Their mission is to empower and assist those navigating the challenges of these conditions, ensuring no one faces this journey alone. Together, they can foster understanding and create a supportive community for all.

Find more information
Op COURAGE logo on a white background, featuring “Op” in red and “COURAGE” in bold blue lettering, with three horizontal bars in navy blue, red and light blue beneath. The NHS logo appears below on the right. At the bottom, the text reads “The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service” in bold black lettering.

Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service

Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families.

How Op COURAGE can help

Op COURAGE can help you and your family with a range of support and treatment, including:

  • helping you transition from military to civilian life by providing mental health care with Defence Medical Services (DMS)
  • helping you recognise and treat early signs of mental health problems, as well as more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma
  • providing support and treatment for substance misuse and addictions
  • helping you to access other NHS mental health services if you need them, such as finding an NHS talking therapies service and eating disorder services
  • liaising with charities and local organisations to support your wider health and wellbeing needs, such as help with housing, relationships, finances and employment
  • supporting armed forces families affected by mental health problems, including helping them to access local services

YouTube: NHS video on what Op COURAGE is and how it can help

Who will I speak to?

Op COURAGE is an NHS service supported by trained professionals who are from, or have experience of working with, the Armed Forces community.

This service can help if you’re finding life difficult after leaving the military. Working together with Armed Forces charities, Op COURAGE will help you get the right type of specialist care, support and treatment for your specific needs.

Who Op COURAGE can help

To receive help and support from Op COURAGE, you must:

  • be a resident in England and have served in the UK armed forces for a full day
  • be registered with a GP surgery in England, or be willing and eligible to register with a GP
  • provide your military service number

It does not matter how long ago you left the armed forces or how long you served for. You can contact Op COURAGE even if you left many years ago.

You can also contact Op COURAGE if you’re still serving but have a discharge date.

Contacting Op COURAGE

You can contact the service in many ways, including:

  • directly getting in touch yourself, or through a family member or friend
  • asking a GP or other healthcare representative to refer you
  • asking a charity to refer you

The service will arrange for you to have an assessment, to make sure you get the right care and support.

It’s important to contact the Op COURAGE service for your local area. This allows them to give you the best support they can provide.

Find support
Forces Employment Charity logo on a white background, featuring three overlapping, angular ribbon shapes in light blue, coral red and navy blue, symbolising connection and support. Beneath the emblem, the words “Forces Employment” appear in large, bold, dark grey lettering, with “Charity” in smaller, light grey text below.
Op ASCEND logo on a white background, featuring “Op” in bold red lettering and “ASCEND” in large, bold blue capital letters. Beneath the text are three horizontal bars in navy blue, red and light blue, reflecting the NHS Op programme branding.

Forces Employment Charity provide life-long, life-changing support across employment to all members of the Armed Forces community, and they support veterans in the justice system, providing tailored advice and assistance, regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.

Learn more

Empowering veterans and their families for career success
Op ASCEND is an Office for Veterans’ Affairs programme awarded to us through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. It is a natural extension of the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), enabling veterans and their families to maximise their potential and take their careers to the next level.

A life-long support system for veterans
Op ASCEND provides clear, accessible career pathways for veterans, ensuring they are empowered to succeed from the moment they join the Armed Forces, throughout their service, and beyond. Whether continuing in national security or transitioning to civilian careers, Op ASCEND ensures that veterans and their families can access meaningful opportunities that build on their unique skills and experience.

View OpASCEND
Abstract logo featuring bold geometric shapes in red, dark blue and light blue across the top, with a large black section beneath. The design has irregular, overlapping edges against a white background. No readable text is visible.

Op NOVA, delivered by the Forces Employment Charity and commissioned by NHS England, provides support for veterans who are in contact with the justice system, enabling them to access the services they need.

 

Op NOVA’s specialist team is drawn from those who have served in the Armed Forces, as well as partners, children and parents of those who serve or have served. Other members of the team have worked in the police, probation, prisons or charity sector. The team is trained in Information Advice and Guidance, Level 4, and Mental Health First Aid.

Find out more
Op FORTITUDE logo on a white background, featuring “Op” in bold red lettering and “FORTITUDE” in large, bold light blue capital letters. Beneath the text are three horizontal bars in navy blue, red and light blue, reflecting the NHS Op programme branding.

Op FORTITUDE is the government-backed centralised referral pathway designed to support veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

 

Op FORTITUDE works with individual veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness, supporting them either into suitable accommodation or supporting them to maintain their current home.

Referrals can be made directly from veterans.

They also accept referrals from a range of sources, including:

  • the public
  • the homelessness sector
  • the veteran charity sector
  • local authorities
  • the HM Prison and Probation Service
  • Defence Transition Services

Phone: 0800 9520 774

Find out more
Op RESTORE logo on a white background, featuring “Op” in bold red lettering and “RESTORE” in large, bold blue capital letters. Beneath the text are three horizontal bars in navy blue, red and light blue, reflecting the NHS Op programme branding.

Op RESTORE, The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service is an NHS service that supports individuals who have served in, or are leaving, the UK armed forces and have continuing, physical health injuries and related medical problems attributed to their time in the armed forces. It is hosted at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

 

Working together with military and civilian medical professionals, along with armed forces charities, their teams understand military life and the longer-term care and support that may be required for veterans, service leavers, reservists, families and carers.

 

It does not matter when the physical health injury or related medical problems occurred or how long ago you left the armed forces, Op RESTORE can help you if:

  • you have served at least one day in the UK armed forces

  • you are soon to leave or are in the process of leaving the UK armed forces

  • you have sustained a physical health injury that was attributable to your time in service regardless of when that happened

  • you have ongoing medical problems related to the physical injury sustained in service

  • we have received a clinical referral from your GP practice

Learn more
Op COMMUNITY logo on a transparent background, featuring “Op” in bold red lettering and “COMMUNITY” in large, bold navy-blue capital letters. Beneath the text are three horizontal bars in navy blue, red and light blue, reflecting the NHS Op programme branding.

OpCOMMUNITY is an easily accessible point of contact with a dedicated email and phone number to support the Armed Forces community as a whole. This includes Serving (Regulars and Reservists) and Ex-Service Personnel, immediate family members and carers of those from within His Majesty’s Armed Forces. They will be able to assist directly with your query and can provide advice, guidance and support on a range of issues. Ensuring that the Armed Forces Covenant and the Armed Forces Act 2021 are applied where appropriate.

 

What can OpCOMMUNITY help me with?

  • Liaise with other organisations on your behalf facilitating safe and expedient transfers of and continuity of care and support for those transferring into the area
  • Supporting Reservists and their families in seeking assistance
  • Continuation of treatment and/or maintaining your place on a NHS waiting list
  • Providing advice, guidance and support on how to use the NHS
  • Advise on Veteran Friendly GP Practices within the local area
  • Social Prescribing support
  • Direct your query to a Service Champion within an organisation
  • Link with other Armed Forces specific services e.g. Op RESTORE: Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Network, Op COURAGE: Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service

If OpCOMMUNITY is unable to help directly, they will try and signpost or refer you to the appropriate service.

This service is available from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. All contacts will be responded to within 48 working hours.

More information about OpCOMMUNITY
Fighting With Pride logo featuring the words “FIGHTING WITH PRIDE” in navy-blue capital letters, with “PRIDE” displayed in large, bold lettering. Three horizontal stripes in navy blue, pink and light blue appear beneath “FIGHTING”, representing the transgender pride flag. A row of coloured stripes beneath “PRIDE” incorporates the Progress Pride flag colours, symbolising LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity. The logo has a transparent background.

Fighting With Pride (FWP) is a military charity, created on the 20th anniversary of the complete lifting of the ban on LGBTQ+ service – the ‘Gay Ban’.

 

Initially Fighting With Pride was created to support those affected by the ‘Gay Ban’ lifted on 12th January 2000, where thousands of LGBTQ+ service personnel were removed or forced from service and abandoned, having served with pride. Today FWP also supports current serving personnel, their families and those leaving the services today to be proud members of the LGBTQ+ Armed Forces Community.

 

FWP work with veteran supporting organisations to build capacity for LGBTQ+ veteran support, to recognise their service and help resolve the challenges they face in their lives beyond military service.

Find support