Life Matters

SSAFA is here to support all members of the Armed Forces community in their times of need. 

For many, there is no worse a time than when a loved one passes away, particularly if that person is still young, and leaves a family behind.

SSAFA provides direct emotional support to people who have lost a family member - whether due to, during, or after service - and we are proud to honour the memory of those who have died having served their nation.

Please help SSAFA with a small donation, and keep our services running for those in need - including our specialist groups who look after those affected by death and injury.

 In 2013, Angela Shaw’s husband, Robert, of the Irish Guards, took his own life while serving in the British Army.

“There are no words to describe anything to do with finding my husband after his death,” Angela says.

After Robert’s death, Angela’s focus went to her children and the need to protect them. 

In addition to the stress of relocating her grieving family, she also felt the stigmatisation of suicide and the lack of will to engage and support military families and children bereaved by suicide.

Though society values and embraces families whose loved ones have died in combat and honours their service in military memorials and ongoing events, there is no template for how to acknowledge and support people whose serving loved ones have died from taking their own lives.

Fortunately SSAFA’s Military Families Affected by Suicide support group was there to help: a community, regular point of reference, and professional support. She could let her guard down after so many years of protecting herself and her husband’s memory.

The tools gained through her participation in SSAFA’s support group have given her a foundation for growth.

“I actually address the trauma now because I have a safe platform,” she shares. “I’ve got that tranquillity, whereas before I was in this dark horrible hellhole, and I couldn’t process what was happening."

Read Angela's full story here

The SSAFA support groups bring together individuals and families who have been through similar tragedies.  They provide safe spaces for people to talk through their emotions, receive peer-to-peer support, and guidance for the future.

Military Families Affected by Suicide

For anyone in the family unit (18 years +) affected by the loss of a loved one through the suicide of a serving member of our Armed Forces or a veteran.

Bereaved Families

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

Families of Wounded, Injured and Sick Personnel (FISP)

FISP support group is for a spouse, partner, parent or carer (18 years +) of any member of the Armed Forces who has been wounded, suffered an injury or has a serious illness.

Your donation can not just help us run these groups, but also make sure that people know that we have these specialist services for when they are needed.