Veterans and Armed Forces Community

We provide a range of healthcare services, including community healthcare and specialist mental health services to people living in Bromley, Bexley and Greenwich.

Our work is guided by four key values: We’re kind, we’re fair, we listen, we care.

In line with our values, we believe that members of our community who serve, or have served in the British Armed Forces and their families are owed a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they have made for our country. They should experience no disadvantage in accessing our services and in certain circumstances, they should receive special consideration.

Where barriers do exist, we are working hard to remove them, and for our work in this area we have been recognised as a Veterans' Aware Trust.

We also strive to work effectively with the Armed Forces as an employer by supporting reservists with their training commitments and promoting involvement and career opportunities with the veteran community. For our work in this area, we have received a gold award in the Employer Defence Recognition Scheme.

Our commitment to you

We’re committed to continually improving the services and support we offer to serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families by:

  • Identifying members of the military community using our services to make sure they receive treatment in line with the Armed Forces covenant 
  • Training our staff on the specific needs and culture of the Armed Forces community
  • Appointing Armed Forces champions to make sure we deliver on our promises
  • Acting as a forces-friendly employer by participating in a range of appropriate schemes
  • Building strong connections with military welfare services and charitable organisations to provide continuity of care
  • Asking for feedback to improve our services through our Armed Forces Community survey 

If you are accessing healthcare through Oxleas, please let us know if you or a close family member has ever served in the Armed Forces, so we can help you get you the support you need.
 

Veterans and Family Support

Listed below are details of organisations that offer support to veterans and their families.

Please visit their websites for details of times covered by helplines and online chat, as not all services are available 24 hours a day.

General resources

Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families. It also provides expert advice and guidance, from support on recovery and rehabilitation, through to transitioning to civilian life.

Website: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/ (external link) 

Contact: 0808 802 8080
or online chat on their website

Forces Connect app

The Forces Connect app is available for iOS and Android devices. The app aims to produce an easy-to-use and comprehensive directory of valuable contacts and information, for those seeking help within the Armed Forces Community.

Free download from the Apple store (for iOS devices) : https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/forces-connect/id1447381839  (external link)

Free download from the Google store (for Android devices): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.gov.surreycc.forcesconnect&hl=en_GB&gl=US (external link)

Armed Forces Network (Sussex, Kent and Medway)

The Armed Forces Network is a multi-organisational group which includes members from the NHS, MoD, Armed Forces Reservists, Mental and Physical Health Clinicians, the Royal British Legion, SSAFA and other interested charities and organisations. The pathways were rolled out into Kent and Medway covering topics such as employment, social care, rough sleeping, physical health, mental health and housing.

Website: https://sussexarmedforcesnetwork.nhs.uk/service-champions/kent-and-medway/kent-and-medway-pathways/  (external link) 

Contact: 01273 403693
or via an online form https://sussexarmedforcesnetwork.nhs.uk/about/contact-us/  (external link)

Blind Veterans UK

Blind Veterans UK provides rehabilitation training, practical advice and emotional support to ex-service personnel with sight loss

Website: https://www.blindveterans.org.uk (external link)

Contact: 0300 111 22 33
support.services@blindveterans.org.uk

Employment

Children

Housing

Get in touch

If you want to let us know about organisations that support veterans that are not listed here, please email us at oxl-tr.communications@nhs.net.

we’re kind we’re fair we listen we care

we are kind we are fair we listen we care