SSAFA
IN SUSSEX
In June 2015 the Sussex Branch of SSAFA was honoured to
receive the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award
given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise
outstanding work done in their own communities. It was
created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of the Queen’s
coronation and is described as the MBE for volunteer groups.
Any group doing volunteer work that provides a social, economic or
environmental service to the local community can be nominated for the award.
Each group is assessed on the benefit it brings to the local community and its
standing within that community.
The Sussex Branch of SSAFA is very proud of its record of supporting
members and former members of the armed forces and their families in need.
We provide a comprehensive range of support including:
●●
General caseworking in relation to alleviating need
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Visiting the vulnerable and lonely
●●
Direct grant giving
●●
Debt advice
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Referrals for mental health treatment
●●
Prison in-reach services
●●
Support for local authorities and businesses in implementing the
armed forces covenants
Cuckfield
& Crawley
Uckfield
Horsham
Chichester
Hastings
Brighton
& Lewes
Worthing
Eastbourne
WHO WE ARE
SSAFA provides lifelong support to those who are serving of who have ever
served in the British Army, the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines or the Royal Air
Force, and their families.
HOW WE CAN HELP
You and your family are eligible for our help if you have completed at least one
day of paid service in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Army, or the Royal
Air Force, including National Servicemen. Members and former members of the
Reserve Forces and Cadet Forces are also eligible for help under slightly different
rules, as are members of the Merchant Navy, other seafarers and the RNLI.
WHAT WE DO
The Sussex Branch covers the whole of East and West Sussex, and the City
of Brighton and Hove, and is structured into eight local divisions. Our core
function is to consult with people applying for our help so that we can
establish their needs and financial positions, then to approach fundholding
charities to obtain any necessary funds to meet those needs. This process is
called caseworking and all our Branch members support this work. Once we
receive the funds we make all the necessary arrangements to disburse them.
Our aim is always to complete the process as quickly as possible.
HOW WE DO IT
In the Sussex Branch we have over 60 unpaid volunteers who are specially
trained and experienced in looking into individual cases with understanding
and sensitivity — supported by a similar number of volunteers carrying out
the work of team leaders, treasurers, fundraisers, visitors and helpers. We
help whenever there is hardship, loneliness or need. Our help and advice is
completely confidential, and we assist people of all ages.
WHAT HELP WE GIVE
We work closely with the other Service charities and occupational and general
charities as well as central and local government agencies. The assistance we
give varies greatly: it may be helping to pay a war widow’s heating bill, dealing
with housing and care problems, providing debt guidance, helping a family with
a disabled child, arranging the provision of essential disability equipment or
providing financial assistance for the purchase of clothing or household goods.
In all cases, need is the most important criterion. If you need our help, or if you
know someone who we could help, please contact the relevant division by e-mail
or the Branch Secretary (details on the back) by telephone, e-mail or letter.
CAN YOU SPARE SOME TIME?
We are looking for volunteers to give a little time to help our Forces and their
families. If you would like to join us as a volunteer caseworker, fundraiser, helper
or other office holder please contact the Branch Secretary who will be very
happy to discuss options. Training and support are given and expenses are paid.
HOW YOU CAN HELP US IN OTHER WAYS
We welcome donations to help us to meet our operating costs and to
supplement grants when necessary. If you would like to make a donation
please send it to the Branch Secretary. We particularly welcome donations
made under the Gift Aid Scheme, which increases their value to us if you are
a taxpayer. Information about the scheme can be obtained from the Branch
Secretary. When making or reviewing your will you may wish to consider
including the Sussex Branch or one of its divisions among your beneficiaries.
Details of appropriate wording can be obtained from the Branch Secretary.
ONE DAY’S SERVICE – A LIFETIME OF SUPPORT
SSAFA, the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association was founded
in 1885 and for more than 130 years has been supporting serving
and ex-Service men, women and their families when they are in need.
Branches in Sussex were among the very first in the country to be
formed at a local level.
“No greater responsibility rests on men and women than the care of
the wives and families of their soldiers and sailors.”
— Major (later Colonel Sir) James Gildea, founder of SSFA, 1885
“In the knowledge that his family at home are being well cared for
by SSAFA, the soldier fighting overseas may wholeheartedly devote
himself to his duty.” — General Montgomery, 1944
CONTACT US
The Sussex Branch of SSAFA makes every effort to respond rapidly to requests
for assistance and, in the event that we are unable to help directly, will try to
signpost you to the appropriate agency.
However, please remember that in Sussex we are all volunteers, many of us in
full time employment carrying out our voluntary roles in our spare time, and so
an immediate response is not always possible.
If you are seeking help for yourself or for another eligible person, it is best in
the first instance to try to contact directly by email the division covering the
area in which the potential client resides.
Alternatively, or for urgent matters, you can use our freephone: 0800 169 9060
Brighton, Hove and Lewes Division
E: [email protected]
Chichester Division
E: [email protected]
Cuckfield and Crawley Division
E: [email protected]
Eastbourne Division
E: [email protected]
T: 07522 431 081
Hastings and Rother Division
E: [email protected]
T: 01424 736 836
Horsham Division
E: [email protected]
Uckfield Division
E: [email protected]
Worthing, Lancing and Shoreham Division
E: [email protected]
Or call us free of charge on 0800 169 9060
LEGACY PLEDGE FORM
This form is confidential to SSAFA and is in no way legally binding.
If you are planning on leaving a gift to SSAFA in your will, notifying us of your
intention is extremely helpful. This gives us the opportunity to plan for the
future with confidence and, if you so wish, to keep you informed of the ways
in which we are using money given to us to provide practical and financial
assistance to those who serve in our Armed Forces, those who used to serve
and the families of both.
Please complete the form below:
I intend to remember the Sussex Branch of SSAFA in my will.
I have remembered the Sussex Branch of SSAFA in my will.
I plan to leave / have left:
A specific sum of money.
All of the residue of my estate.
A share of the residue of my estate.
A specific item.
Title
First name
Surname
Address
Email
Telephone
Date
We are interested to learn why you are so kindly intending to leave a gift to The Sussex
Branch of SSAFA in your will. If you are happy to let us know, please would you be kind
enough to write your reason(s) below.
Once completed, please return this form to the Sussex Branch Secretary at the address
overleaf — or for further information please contact the Branch Secretary on 0800 169
9060 or email [email protected]
If you would like us to send you periodic updates on the work of SSAFA in Sussex, please tick this box.
To contact the Sussex Branch
Call free: 0800 169 9060
Central Office:
Sussex Branch Secretary
Queen Elizabeth House 4 St Dunstan’s Hill London EC3R 8AD
The Branch Secretary can be
contacted either by telephone
or by email as follows:
T: 0207 403 8783
E: [email protected]
ssafa.org.uk
T: 0800 169 9060
E: [email protected]
Registered Charity No. 210760 and SC038056. Est. 1885. S048.0515