Veteran carers support
Being a carer of veteran or serving member of the Armed Forces can be challenging.
Carers can often face additional challenges due to the complexities of healthcare issues both mental and physical.
Our veteran carers site can help you to navigate the help and support you may need as a carer or a member of the wider family.
For more information, see:
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
Useful information
Op COURAGE
The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service provides a broad range of specialist mental health and wellbeing care and support for service leavers, reservists, veterans and their families.
Individuals can self-refer to their local service or ask a healthcare professional, charity, family member or friend to do this for them.
Register with your GP as an armed forces family member or carer
You can ask a GP to register you as an armed forces family member on your medical records. They do this by adding a specific code representing armed forces families.
This means NHS staff accessing your medical records are more likely to be aware of the situation and care refer you to specialist care if you need it.
It also makes it easier for a new GP surgery to continue treating you if you move due to a new posting.
Finding support for you
The Ripple Pond
Supporting adult family members of physically or psychologically injured British Armed Forces personal and veterans.
- Website: www.theripplepond.org
- Phone: 0333 900 1028
- Email: help@theripplepond.org
Rethink Mental Illness
Rethink Mental Illness veteran mental health carers support group.
The Oxfordshire Veteran Mental Health Carers Support Group provides a supportive environment where family and friends of veterans affected by mental health issues can come together to share experience and support each other.
- Website: www.rethink.org
- Phone: 01865 904 499
Help for Heroes
Help for Heroes is the leading Armed Forces and veterans’ charity in the UK. It helps veterans and their families live well after service
They can help people with a wide range of issues affecting them and their family.
- Website: www.helpforheroes.org.uk
Veterans Gateway
Provides information, advice and support for veterans and their families.
- Website: www.veteransgateway.org.uk
NHS Talking Therapies
NHS Talking Therapies services offer a range of free talking therapies for people experiencing low mood, anxiety or depression. They follow a stepped care model intervention and will always start with the least intensive treatment; often a course or group.
Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies
Buckinghamshire NHS Talking Therapy Service is for people registered with an NHS Buckinghamshire GP.
- Website: www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/bucks-talking-therapies
- Phone: 01865 901 600
- Text TALK and your name to 07798 667 169
Oxfordshire Talking Therapies
Oxfordshire NHS Talking Therapy Services is for people registered with an NHS Oxfordshire GP.
- Website: www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/oxon-talking-therapies
- Phone: 01865 901 222
NHS England Armed Forces Health Podcasts
Armed Forces Patient and Public Voice
Episode 1: What is the Armed Forces PPV?
Episode 2: Military Medical Experience
Episode 3: Your GP
Episode 4: Physical Health
Episode 5: Mental Health
Episode 6: Families and Children
Non-urgent advice: Urgent support
If you are supporting someone who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts
See our support page for information and guidance if you are worried about someone who maybe at risk of suicide.
Getting help when in crisis
The person you care for may experience a deterioration in their mental health at any time and may require advice or support.
If they are receiving care and treatment from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, contact their key worker or mental health team.
Call the Mental Health Helpline via NHS 111, option 2.
Samaritans
Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We’re here 24hrs a day, 365 days a year.
- Freephone: 116 123
- Email: jo@samaritans.org
SHOUT 85258
Here 24/7 to listen and support you to get to a calm and safe place. SHOUT is free, confidential and anonymous. It is a service for anyone in the UK.
- To start a conversation, text the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258.
In an emergency
Read our support and advice page to learn what to do in an emergency.
Page last reviewed: 15 December, 2023