Serving Community Teams

Supporting serving communities in the UK and overseas.

To be able to meet the unique needs of Armed Forces personnel and their families, SSAFA provides volunteer support to local serving communities both in UK and at British military bases overseas. 

Our volunteer-led Serving Community Teams help the serving community access financial, practical and emotional support whenever they need it.  

Separate from the chain of command, SSAFA volunteers provide a confidential service to those in the serving community, including Reservists, serving personnel and their families whether living on bases or in their own homes.

What do Serving Community Teams do?

Raising awareness and funds are important elements of the work Serving Community Teams do. Depending on your location, other types of support available could include:

  • Community Connection events - groups that bring community members together promoting connection and reducing loneliness.

  • Community Volunteer support – a listening ear, practical help with odd jobs, or signposting to other organisations.

  • Community Grants – small grants to assist services as they deliver support to the serving community.

  • Individual Grants – small one-off grants to support individuals with urgent needs that are not funded by welfare or statutory agencies.

  • Loan stores – hire equipment to help you in your home.


I want to speak to my local Serving Community Team

There is a full list of Serving Community Team locations on this page (see to the right or below).

For general enquiries, please email sct.interest@ssafa.org.uk and we will get back to you.

If you need support urgently, then please do not hesitate to contact our Forcesline help team, available by telephone, webchat or email:



How Serving Community Team volunteers helped in 2024

  • Serving Community Teams collectively raised over £60,000 for their local SCT through a wide range of events and activities - an increase of 15% from 2023. 

  • 4,828 members of the serving community benefitted from direct support given by SCTs through financial, practical and emotional support.

  • 4,600 people attended Community Connection activities to bring communities together to alleviate loneliness and isolation.  

  • 92 individual grants and 95 community grants were awarded to serving personnel, family members and serving communities in 2024 – a 25% increase on the previous year. Overall, grant giving in the serving community totalled £55,000.

  • The top three areas of support for beneficiaries contacting SCTs were for practical help, travel, and befriending/being a listening ear. 

 

Anyone can become a Serving Community Team Volunteer - please find out more here.