Support for people who served (veterans) and their families in North Yorkshire
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, is working with GP practices in North Yorkshire to help more veterans and their families find the support they need.
The initiative began at Dyneley House GP Practice in Skipton, where SSAFA spoke to GP staff and veterans about the help available beyond medical care.
The aim is to make it easier for GP practices to recognise when someone from the Armed Forces community might benefit from additional support and point them in the right direction.
What support is available?
SSAFA supports serving personnel, veterans and their families.
Depending on your circumstances, this can include help with:
- financial difficulties, grants and accessing benefits
- problems relating to your home or housing
- mobility equipment
- mentoring and counselling
- finding specialist organisations that can help
- practical and emotional support during difficult circumstances.
Trained SSAFA volunteers can also provide one-to-one support, helping people understand what help may be available and how to access it.
Helping GP practices connect veterans with support
GP practices are often one of the first places people turn when they are struggling, but the difficulties affecting someone's health and wellbeing may not always be medical.
SSAFA is hoping to work with more GP practices across North Yorkshire so that staff have a better understanding of the support available to veterans and their families and can help people find it when they need it.
The initiative started with a session at Dyneley House GP Practice in Skipton and could be expanded to more GP practices across North Yorkshire.
How to get help from SSAFA in North Yorkshire
You don't need to wait for your GP practice to refer or signpost you to SSAFA. If you are serving in the Armed Forces, have previously served, or are an eligible family member, you can contact SSAFA directly.
SSAFA North Yorkshire
Telephone: 020 4566 9117
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm
Email: northeast.region@ssafa.org.uk
You can also contact SSAFA through its website to ask for help or find out more about support available in North Yorkshire.
Find out more: SSAFA North Yorkshire
