Support for the Bereaved Community Appendix 1

Appendix 1

The tables below capture some of the key organisations who provide support to the bereaved veteran community, to illustrate the kinds of provision available. This list is not exhaustive and does not include many of the bereavement services available to the general population across the country who can – and do – provide an invaluable support to members of the veteran community who access them.

Key Support Organisations & What They Offer the Veteran Community

Charity/Organisation	Who They Support	Services Provided
SSAFA	Bereaved families of serving or veteran Armed Forces personnel (adult family members, and those impacted by loss).	Peer support groups, bereavement events, practical help.
Scotty’s Little Soldiers	Children and young people (0-25) who have lost a parent who served in the British Armed Forces (regular or reserve), regardless of cause of death.	Three main programmes: Smiles (outings, gifts, respite, fun events), Support (bereavement-counselling, emotional support, guidance for carers), Strides (educational and personal development grants) plus “Springboard.”
Forces Children Scotland	Scotland-based charity supporting children and young people from Armed Forces/veteran families.	Mental health & wellbeing services, youth participation, transition support.
Forces Children’s Trust	Children whose parent has died or been seriously injured while serving.	Bereavement counselling, group holidays, social events, educational visits and support.
RAF Families Federation	RAF Personnel and their Families	Practical advice and support; signposting to other support
Army Families Federation	Army Personnel and their Families	Practical advice and support; signposting to other support
Naval Families Federation	Naval and Marines Personnel and their Families	Practical advice and support; signposting to other support
Families Activity Breaks (FAB)	Bereaved military families, especially with children up to ~19 years.	Fully funded activity camps offering respite, peer support, and family time.
Beyond The Wire	Wider military bereaved community (spouses, partners, grandparents, siblings, etc.).	Trauma-informed support, listening, advocacy, resource connection, reducing isolation.
Child Bereavement UK (Scotland Project)	Children and young people grieving a death, including those in military families.	Training, local bereavement networks, collaboration and signposting.
Cruse Scotland Bereavement Support	Anyone who has suffered a bereavement.	Support services such as helplines and webchats, one-to-one counselling, listening services, including specialist support for children and young people, those recently bereaved, and suicide bereavement. Community projects in support of local grief networks and other on-line guides and resources.
Defence Medical Welfare Service	Welfare and emotional support for older veterans and their families, including widows/widowers.	Specifically includes Scotland.
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans Charity	Supports widows/widowers of Blesma members after their passing.	Scotland outreach office included in support network.
Widowed and Young	Support network for anyone who has lost a partner before their 51^st birthday.	Peer to peer support, including a specific military group, organised events, a telephone support line offering counselling, legal and financial support, and other on-line resources.

MOD / Government Provision: Key Components

Initiative/Mechanism	What It Does	Eligibility & Scope (incl. Scotland)
Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC)	Coordinates practical requirements following death, injury or serious illness of a Service person.	UK-wide, for serving members of the UK Armed Forces.
Purple Book Bereavement Guide	MOD guidance for bereaved families: entitlements, benefits, funerals, practical steps, signposting.	UK-wide, includes support for children.
Armed Forces Bereavement Scholarship Scheme	Scholarships for children of Service Personnel whose death is service-attributable. Covers tuition, maintenance, etc.	UK-wide; acknowledges SCQF Level 6 in Scotland.
HIVE/RN Family and People Support	Initial welfare support, guidance, referrals, help with education and childcare post-bereavement.	Available in Scotland via local HIVE or welfare cells.
Army Welfare Service	Counselling, wellbeing support, referrals post-bereavement.	UK-wide, including Scotland.
Royal Air Force Community Support	Counselling, wellbeing support, referrals post-bereavement.	UK-wide, including Scotland.
Royal Navy & Royal Marines Welfare	Counselling, wellbeing support, referrals post-bereavement.	UK-wide, including Scotland.

Organisations Specifically Supporting Military Widows and Widowers

Organisation	Support Provided	Scotland-Relevance/Notes
Army Widows Association	Volunteer-run emotional and practical support, community connection.	UK-wide, includes Scotland. Independent but liaises with MOD.
Royal Navy and Royal Marines Widows Association	Volunteer-run emotional and practical support, community connection.	UK-wide, includes Scotland. Independent but liaises with MOD.
RAF Widows Association	Volunteer-run emotional and practical support, community connection.	UK-wide, includes Scotland. Independent but liaises with MOD.
War Widows Association	Advocacy and representation for widows/widowers of military personnel.	UK-wide, includes Scotland. Independent but liaises with MOD.