CNWL has been accredited as Veteran Aware by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA).

We signed the Armed Forces Covenant to show our ongoing commitment as an NHS organisation towards the Armed Forces community.

The Trust has received the Bronze Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) for our commitment to support existing employees within the armed forces family, and we are collaborating with Step Into Health to support prospective employees who are members of the community.

This page includes a range of support services for the armed forces community and information about the work CNWL is doing.

The Armed Forces community encompasses individuals who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces and individuals affiliated with the Armed Forces, including family members and dependants.

Some of the roles and people which make up the community: 

  • Armed Forces regulars – currently serving members of the Armed Forces.
  • Service leavers – individuals in the Armed Forces who are transitioning to civilian life or who have recently left the Armed Forces.
  • Veterans - individuals who has left the Armed Forces after serving at least one day.
  • Armed Forces reservists – individuals who volunteer their time to serve in the Armed Forces alongside a civilian career.
  • Families of Regular, Reservists and Veterans - The immediate family, who are defined as spouses, civil partners, and children for they are responsible. Can be extended to parents, unmarried partners, and other family members. 
  • Bereaved - The immediate family of service personnel and veterans who have died, whether or not that death has any connection with service. 

CNWL signed the Armed Forces Covenant at a public ceremony on 6 February 2023, pledging our commitment as an employer and healthcare provider in making sure those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated fairly and not face disadvantages when accessing our services.

The Covenant raises awareness about the impacts of service life, asking public bodies to consciously consider the Armed Forces community when making decisions and developing new policies and programmes.

Our covenant contains a number of pledges specific to CNWL, that we agree to uphold. 

Have you, or someone you care about served in the armed forces and used CNWL health services? If so we would love to hear from you!

We want to improve both our physical health and mental health services. To do this we need your views on what’s worked well and what could be improved.

The suggestions people share will be treated in confidence and used to help improve our services. 

Please email the involvement team on involvement.cnwl@nhs.net if you are interested or have any questions. 

If you’d prefer to share your views a different way, such as phone or email, please let us know. 

Below you can find information about support services, campaign groups and other organisations which provide advice and support for the Armed Forces Community: 

OpCOURAGE

Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families.

Op COURAGE can help you and your family with a range of support and treatment, including:

  • helping you transition from military to civilian life by providing mental health care with Defence Medical Services (DMS)
  • helping you recognise and treat early signs of mental health problems, as well as more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma
  • providing support and treatment for substance misuse and addictions
  • helping you to access other NHS mental health services if you need them, such as finding an NHS talking therapies service and eating disorder services
  • liaising with charities and local organisations to support your wider health and wellbeing needs, such as help with housing, relationships, finances and employment
  • supporting armed forces families affected by mental health problems, including helping them to access local services

YouTube: NHS video on what Op COURAGE is and how it can help

OpRESTORE

The Veterans Trauma Network (VTN) is now called Op RESTORE: The Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service. This is an NHS service providing specialist care and treatment to veterans who have physical health problems as a result of their time in the armed forces.

Op RESTORE will continue to accept only GP referrals. 

Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion is here to help members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families. They support serving and ex-serving personnel all year round, every day of the week.

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA)

The UK's oldest national tri-service military charity, providing support for serving personnel, veterans and their families in their time of need.

Veterans Aid 

Veterans Aid has been battling homelessness among the ex-service community, and their activities revolve around helping ex-servemen and women in crisis. 

Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)

DMWS is an independent charity providing medical welfare to those who have, and continue to, operate on the frontline. We place trained professional welfare officers in locations throughout the UK to deliver much-needed additional support for those who are on the clinical pathway.

Veterans Gateway

They are the first point of contact for you and your loved ones. Contact Veterans Gateway 24/7 for help across housing, mental wellbeing, finances and more. Get in touch with our friendly helpline team by phone, chat, text and email. 

The Poppy Factory

The Poppy Factory supports veterans and family members on their journey into employment, helping them overcome any barriers.

The veterans they support can face some of the most challenging situations in the Armed Forces community, with complex mental and physical health conditions often compounded by issues such as homelessness and addiction. Family members too may face similar challenges, with caring responsibilities for children and veterans adding further pressure. Our services empower each of these individuals to make positive progress on their own terms.

The Ripple Pond 

Supporting adult family members of physically or psychologically injured British Armed Forces personnel and veterans. 

Little Troopers

Little Troopers is a registered charity supporting all military children who have parent(s) serving in our British Armed Forces, regular or reserve.

Sisters in Service

A safe and supportive network for female veterans of the UK Armed Forces, Regular or Reserve, currently working in healthcare. Sisters in Service is a dedicated space for mutual support and connection. 

Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund

The RAF Benevolent Fund supports current serving and former members of the RAF and their families, through practical, emotional and financial help.

Find out more in this guide (opens PDF). 

The Community Engagement Worker (CEW) programme supports socially isolated members of the RAF Family by re-connecting them back into meaningful social activities. CEW’s can support individuals overcome barriers to greater social interaction, reducing feelings of loneliness.

Veterans Growth

Improving veterans’ mental health through horticulture.

Veterans’ Growth works with veterans from the tri-services who are suffering with mental health issues. Courses include one-to-one sessions and group work, where they provide Social and Therapeutic Horticulture to participants. 

Building Heroes 

The leading tri-service military to construction charity. Helping those that have kept us safe with a seamless transition into the civilian workplace through training leading to a gateway of construction employment opportunities.

OpCOURAGE Veterans drop-in

OpCOURAGE host a series of drop-in events for veterans at St Pancras Hospital. These are a safe space for veterans to speak with each other and a variety of professionals, to support them to access a range of help with health and social issues. All ex-service personal are welcome, no matter the service length. This includes serving personal with a set discharge date.

There will also be a space where relaxing skills and games can be learned and played with fellow veterans, such as origami, chess and other board games.

2024 dates

  • The last Thursday of each month from 5pm to 7pm
  • Next drop-in is taking place on 27 June 2024

Find out more in this poster.

Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs

Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Clubs are informal, community-based organisations that provide a supportive and welcoming environment for veterans of the armed forces. These clubs aim to address the welfare needs of veterans through a variety of activities and initiatives including:

  • Social connection
  • Peer support
  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Assistance with benefits and services
  • Charitable activities
  • Advocacy

You can find a breakfast club near you by searching on this website, including:

  • Uxbridge Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club
  • Wimbledon (AFC Foundation) Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club
  • Royal Hospital Chelsea Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club
  • Islington Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club
  • Milton Keynes Armed Forces Breakfast Club

D-Day

Date: 6 June 2024

This year marks the eightieth anniversary of the D-Day landings of 6 June 1944, which was the largest seaborne invasion in history. Along with the associated airborne operations, it marked the beginning of the liberation of France and western Europe.

There will be community events around the UK on 5 and 6 June 2024.

D-Day 80 | Remembrance | Royal British Legion

Trooping the Colour

Date: Saturday 15 June 2024

The official birthday of the Sovereign is marked each year by a military parade and march past, known as Trooping the Colour or The King’s Birthday Parade. The event takes place each June on Horse Guards Parade, Whitehall in front of crowds of onlookers as well as being enjoyed by millions worldwide. The troops participating in the parade are drawn from fully trained, operational officers and soldiers from the Household Division.

Trooping the Colour | The British Army (mod.uk)

Armed Forces Week

Date: 24 to 29 June 2024

Armed Forces Day (Saturday 29 June 2024) is a chance to show your support for the people who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving personnel to service families, veterans and cadets.

It also marks the culmination of a week of celebrations, beginning on Monday 24 June, when the public show their support and appreciation for the Armed Forces community.

Armed Forces Week | The British Army (mod.uk)

About – Armed Forces Day

Reserves Day

Date: 26 June 2024

Armed Forces Week also includes Reserves Day, which provides the country with an opportunity to recognise our Reserve Forces.

Reserves Day – Armed Forces Day

Sisters in Service

Date: Thursday 27 June 2024, 7pm to 8pm (online meeting)

A safe and supportive network for female veterans of the UK Armed Forces, regular or reserve, currently working in healthcare. It is a dedicated space for mutual support and connection.

Register interest and find out more: sistersinservice.co.uk

The Seeds of Hope: A New Dawn exhibition

Exhibits mixed media artwork created by veterans – including serving men and women - as well as friends, family and supporters. The exhibition displays paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, 3D installation, film and poetry.

The exhibition is a result of the collaboration and support of The Soldiers’ Arts Academy and other Veterans services including London Op COURAGE, The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service at the North London Mental Health Partnership, STOLL, The Fighting Chance, SAA the Soldiers Art Academy.

The exhibition is open to the public until 31 October at St Pancras Hospital. 

The Fighting Chance

Boxing training, outdoor sessions and boot camps including special events, guests and masterclasses.

  • Boxing training for veterans
  • Boxing training for injured veterans
  • Boxing training for female veterans and families

Find out more in this flyer.

Remembrance Sunday

Date: 10 November 2024

Remembrance Sunday is the Sunday nearest to 11 November - Remembrance Day, which is the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the First World War. The national ceremony is held at the Cenotaph on Whitehall, London.

Remembrance Sunday is a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.

Remembrance Sunday | The British Army (mod.uk)

Remembrance Day

Date: 11 November 2024

The Armistice, an agreement to end the fighting of the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations, began at 11am on 11 November 1918.

To this day we mark Remembrance Day around the United Kingdom with a Two Minute Silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month.

217 Squadron London: Exercise Medical Endeavour

Date: 11 September 2024
Cadet Training Centre Frimley Park, Frimley Road, Camberley, Surrey GU16 7HD

Exercise Medical Endeavour is a team building and look at life of a reservist day, run by the Army Reserves Medical Services for health professionals. It gives you the chance to experience some of the skills that are taught to reservists during their training, and to work in a team in a challenging and different environment.

Come and spend a day out of your workplace and work together in a team, completing various tasks that will challenge you both mentally and physically. Anyone can take part, as long as you’re reasonably fit and healthy and not carrying any existing injuries. Participants must be over 18.

Find out more in this poster

Work with us

Search here to find a new job, a new career, an opportunity to up skill or to simply change your career direction. Become part of our team. We care for you as much as you care for others.

Volunteer with us

For a full list of roles, visit this page. We are looking for people from across the community to help continue providing care to our services, support our service users, their carers, friends and family and our staff.