Families are the focus of new Leonardo partnership with SSAFA

03 September 2024

Leonardo, one of the UK's leading engineering companies, has become a corporate partner of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

The defence, security, and aerospace giant – which has many of its products in service with UKAF, including the AW159 Wildcat and the AW101 Merlin helicopters – is supporting a new family-focused programme in partnership with SSAFA.

The aim of the programme is to address the specific needs of the families of serving and retired members of the Armed Forces, in order to increase their wellbeing and ability to thrive in the future.

This will take the form of three core initiatives: short breaks for families with additional needs, the Community Connection Champions project, and SSAFA’s refuge for women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

Leonardo, which partners with a range of Armed Forces’ charities in line with its commitment to the military community, expects to foster a positive impact on the communities SSAFA serves by supporting their wellbeing and mental health, especially for the most vulnerable.

Commenting on the partnership, Chair and CEO of Leonardo UK, Clive Higgins, said: “Leonardo is proud to support SSAFA in its outstanding work. Maintaining a sense of wellbeing and positive mental health is central to each family’s ability to live a happy and well-balanced life. By taking a targeted approach, we hope to make a long term difference to families of the armed forces to help them move forward.”

Jenny King, SSAFA’s Corporate Development Manager, added: “Corporate Partnerships are extremely valuable to SSAFA as they help us provide life-changing and even life-saving support to the entire Armed Forces Community.

“None of the work we do would be possible without the support and commitment from companies such as Leonardo, and we’re really looking forward to the raft of ideas, initiatives, and activities the company will undertake as we expand and enhance our partnership.”

SSAFA works across the UK and around the world for the entire Armed Forces family whether reserve or regular, serving or retired, and regardless of rank or regiment, squadron or ship.

You can learn more about Leonardo by reading their dedicated Corporate Partnership page. 

Thumbnail Image: AW159 Wildcat LC, ©Leonardo