Why does the Veterans' Foundation support Forward Assist?

Forward Assist provides support and guidance to former servicemen and women who experience difficulties in adjusting to civilian life. 

Based in Dudley, Northumberland, the charity was started 10 years ago by former Royal Marine, Tony Wright, after he noticed how many ex-forces personnel ended up falling into crime. It has led to a range of initiatives designed to help those affected. 

Many veterans experience difficulty accessing support in relation to issues around adjustment, transition and identity, so the charity puts steps in place to help counter unemployment, homelessness, family breakdown and social exclusion.

One of the main elements used is sport and other physical activities, both have resulted in fantastic outcomes for able-bodied and disabled veterans. 

The aim of Forward Assist is to provide an environment where veterans can feel physically and psychologically safe and allow them access - through a 'One Stop' cafe - to specialist employment support and participation in meaningful and challenging activities. 

Forward Assist recognises that women veterans are a hidden population and has campaigned for gender-specific mental health services to address this unmet need. ‘Salute Her’ came into being in January 2018 and has, via a series of consultation groups, identified significant gaps in the services available to women veterans.