Ex Service Personnel

FirstLight Trust supports veterans of the armed forces, emergency services and their families

We are currently working with Goals in Portsmouth to provide a monthly Coffee and Chat session.

It is a space for veterans to attend have a brew and banter while socialising, along with the chance to start up a veteran’s football group.

Support will be available for any veterans needing help with isolation, loneliness, new hobbies/skills, or confidence building.

A Support Coordinator will also be available to assist veterans with housing, benefit claims and debt.

The Forces Employment Charity provides life-long, life-changing support, jobs and training opportunities to Service leavers, veterans, reservists and their spouses, partners and children, regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.

If you’re looking for support with your CV, returning to work after a break or need advice on transferring skills and qualifications from the military, we can help!

We support spouses and partners, including divorced, separated and bereaved on their journey into employment. We understand Service life and transition can impact the whole family, so we also offer mentoring and career guidance to military children and young people aged 16-24.

Access a programme of employment pathway events through Op PROSPER - details of which can be found through the events section on the FEC website.

COVID-19 Update: Open as usual adhering to the latest government COVID-19 Advice

Hampshire Homes for Veterans offers housing and support to ex-Service personnel who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless.

The Inspiration Federation is an educational Not-for-Profit organisation that works with communities to inspire, raise aspirations and promote positive citizenship. It also helps raise money to support those injured in the Emergency Services and Armed Forces.

The Forces Families Project

The Forces Families project (formerly Joining Forces for Families), an Armed Forces Covenant funded project that has been running since October 2018. It is delivered in partnership by Citizens Advice Hart, Rushmoor Citizens Advice and Portsmouth Citizens Advice. It aims to help serving personnel and their families when they encounter life's stressful events. It is free, confidential and independent and impartial. The Forces Families Project is tri-service and operated in North East Hampshire and Portsmouth and other south coast areas such as Gosport Fareham and Havant. We often attend military events such as health fairs, family fun days and of course Armed Forces day.

Providing signposting and guidance, including immigration advice to current serving RN and RM and their families.

Our phone line and emails continue to operate as usual, face to face and virtual meetings are taking place.

Championing Royal Navy & Royal Marines families.

Providing signposting and guidance to current serving RN and RM and their families.

Most people experience grief when they lose someone important to them. It affects everyone differently. There's no right or wrong way to feel.

Loneliness affects tens of thousands of people across the RAF community. Whether it’s a veteran struggling to adapt to life after service, or a family member facing difficulties alone, loneliness can be devastating to people’s mental and physical wellbeing.

The RAF Association’s Connections for Life service aims to fight loneliness with friendship and create a resilient, empowered and connected RAF Community.

In addition to the Supported Housing we provide through our RNRM Veterans Outreach programme, we offer specialist care and guidance to vulnerable Veterans who have served in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines or Royal Fleet Auxiliary and are over 55. This service is also available to those in receipt of a full service pension and includes those who are currently living in their own homes

We run a dedicated support service for Serving and ex-Service Personnel who are living with or caring for someone with a serious or life-limiting illness, or are recently bereaved.

Did you serve at least 1 day in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy?
Are you experiencing loneliness or social isolation?
Are you struggling with the impact of your illness physically and/or emotionally?
Have concerns about the future and whether your loved ones will be looked after?
Our wide range of services, including a dedicated Veteran Companions buddy service, can help you find answers.

Weekly social groups take place on Mondays - Living Well Centre - ring to book - limited spaces
** NEW** Thursdays Gosport Community Hub 10:30 to 12:30 every week - drop in for any veterans and Serving Personnel, who are living with a serious or life-limiting illness where you can seek advice, support or just a friendly chat with others in the same situation.