Support groups for bereaved families

SSAFA's support groups provide a network of people who have been through a similar tragedy, giving you the opportunity to talk though your emotions with an understanding compassionate group. 

Each support group runs one or two day events throughout the year, where beneficiaries can meet up together and receive peer-to-peer support, facilitated in a safe environment.

Bereaved Support Group

This group is for anyone in the family unit (18+) who has suffered a bereavement of a veteran or Serving Armed Forces Personnel.

Military Families Affected by Suicide

For anyone in the family unit (18+) who have been affected by the loss of a loved one through suicide of a veteran or Serving Armed Forces Personnel.

Families of Wounded Injured and Sick Personnel

The FISP support group is for a spouse/partner/parent or carer (18+) of Armed Forces personnel who have been wounded or suffered an injury, or sickness.

Covid-19 Update: At the moment we are still running online information sessions. Please see below for dates for 2021 and use the contact form below to register your interest or email supportgroups@ssafa.org.uk.

We hope that by summer 2021 we will be able to run face-to-face sessions and aim to update you as soon as possible

2021 Dates:

All sessions will run from 10.00 – 12.00 and are available to all members of three support groups or those who are eligible to be a member of our groups.

February 6th - Personal Wellbeing During a Crisis

This session will focus on:
- Explaining emotional responses due to a crisis
- Tools for looking after yourself
- Providing tips on coping mechanisms

The deadline date to participate in this session is Friday 29 January. To register your interest in participating in this session please complete the webform below or email supportgroups@ssafa.org.uk.

March 6th - Supporting Children and Young People During a Crisis

This session will focus on:
- Giving an explanation on how children and young people react to trauma and crisis
- Tools for providing practical support to children and young people

The deadline date to participate in this session is Friday 26 February. To register your interest in participating in this session please complete the webform below or email supportgroups@ssafa.org.uk.

April 10th - Creativity

This session will focus on:
- Using creatively to help ourselves and others in times of crisis
- You do not need to be an artist to attend this webinar

The deadline date to participate in this session is Friday 2 April. To register your interest in participating in this session please complete the webform below or email supportgroups@ssafa.org.uk.

Please note that SSAFA's services are only available to people who have received at least one day's pay from the Armed Forces (British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Marines, including Reserves), or are in the immediate family of someone who served.