First SSAFA Wales conference held

05 April 2025

Newtown in Powys was the location for the inaugural Wales Conference of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

Held earlier this week at the Elephant and Castle Hotel, the event brought together around 50 volunteers and staff from Wales, others from England and even one from Scotland, but whatever their nationality, all are now members of “SSAFA Team Wales”.

It provided the chance to get to know people and renew acquaintanceships, and to hear an overview from Stephen Thomas – SSAFA’s Wales Regional Representative – as well as briefings from different SSAFA teams including Volunteering, Veterans in the Criminal Justice System, Community Engagement, and Mentoring for Service Leavers.

One of the speakers was the Veterans’ Commissioner for Wales, James Phillips, who gave an insight into not only his role, but that of his office and the issues he, in a non-partisan and apolitical way, deals with in Wales and how he champions the cause of veterans in the nation to Cardiff Bay and Westminster.

Ably assisted by colleagues, Steve Boswell – SSAFA’s Wales Regional Operations Manager – led the conference, and later reflected: “It was a fantastic day, a day full of enthusiasm, creativity, and ideas, a day of old and new partnerships and a day that really brought people together as Team Wales.

“I’ve got to say I was also really proud that we could launch our SSAFA Wales website at the conference. It’s the hub, the one-stop shop for information and news about our work here, and as time goes by will grow into a vital resource for everyone in Wales in the Armed Forces community,

“Our team here is a mix of veterans and civilians, men and women, old and young and I’m bound to say it, but they’re an amazing team. And, like Wales in general, we punch above our weight in terms of the bespoke support we provide.

So, regardless of ship, regiment, or squadron, Regulars or Reserves, whether serving or a veteran, SSAFA Wales is here for you and your family just as SSAFA has been for 140 years.”