I support a veteran

How to refer someone

You can contact us if you want to refer a:

• Family member
• Loved one
• Friend

Call 0300 323 0137 or email mevs.mhm@nhs.net

There is also an emotional support line available for veterans by calling 0300 323 0139. This line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.​​​​

How we work with a veteran’s family, friends and supporters

We’re here to listen and help

You can:

•    Ask us any questions
•    Tell us about any worries
•    Ask for help
•    Let us know if something is missing
•    Talk about what’s going well or not so well

We want to help you feel more hopeful and positive.

Let’s work together

We’ll talk with you to find out what support you and your family might need. This could include:

•    Help with feelings and emotions
•    Tips for looking after yourself
•    Support with money or relationships
•    Help if you feel unsafe
•    Understanding mental health
•    Meeting others in similar situations
•    Finding local support or veteran charities

Who you’ll talk to

The person you speak with may not be the same person who is helping the veteran in your life.

Everyone is welcome

We support all carers - no matter your age, background, gender, sexuality, relationship status, or ability.

We know that male carers are often not seen or heard as much in the Armed Forces community. We’re open to ideas on how to change this.

Do I look like I CARE?

You might not think of yourself as a carer - but if you help a veteran in your life, you probably are.

What does caring look like?

Caring can mean:

• Being there for someone during a tough time
• Helping with daily tasks
• Supporting someone emotionally
• Going to appointments with them
• Helping them feel safe
• Filling out forms or managing medication
• Helping them understand NHS or civilian services

You might be a:

• Partner
• Parent
• Child
• Sibling
• Friend

Sometimes it’s hard to see where your caring role ends and your relationship begins.

Balancing life and caring

Many carers also:

• Work or study
• Look after children or elderly parents
• Manage their own health and wellbeing

Caring is often unpaid and can be emotionally draining - especially when supporting someone with mental health problems.

Life after the military

When a veteran leaves the Armed Forces, it can be a big change for them - and for you.

Supporters of veterans often face unique challenges.

Caring can affect you too

Caring can impact your:

• Physical and mental health
• Education
• Job opportunities
• Family life

This can make it harder to support your loved one.

Did you know?

According to the Royal British Legion, one in four working-age family members of veterans provide unpaid care. That’s more than in the general population.

Carer identification

Are you a carer?

If you look after someone, you might be a carer.

Telling people you are a carer can help you get support.

You might get:

• A free flu jab
• Money help
• Support at home
• A Blue Badge for parking
• A Carer Discount Card
• Breaks from caring (respite)
• Cheaper travel and leisure activities

Learn about your rights

Carers UK has made a guide to help you:

• Understand your rights
• Talk to professionals
• Make sure your voice is heard

To download the guide 'Being Heard – A self-advocacy guide for carers in England' visit the Carers UK website. 

Things you can do to help

• Tell your GP you are a carer
  Download this letter template from the Carers UK website to help you.
   
• Ask for a carer’s assessment
  This helps you get the support you need. Your local council or carer support service can help.
   
• Check your work policy
  Your job might give you time off or flexible hours. This is part of the Carer’s Leave Act 2024.
   

• Get a carer card
  You can buy a Hidden Disabilities Carer Card with your name on it. This shows others you are a carer. Visit the Hidden Disabilities website to find out more. 

Make a plan

Carers UK can help you make a contingency plan. This is a plan for what happens if you can’t care for someone.

To find out more, visit the Carers UK website.

Young carers

Do you have children or young people in your home who help out?

They might:

• Do jobs around the house
• Listen and give emotional support
• Look after their brothers or sisters

Children in Armed Forces families who are carers are often strong and caring, but sometimes they miss out on fun or learning because of their caring role.

Help for young carers

Young Carer Services can give support like:

• Information and advice
• Fun activities and breaks with other young carers
• Someone to talk to about feelings and wellbeing
• Peer mentoring (support from other young carers)
• Carer’s assessment to understand their needs
• Support at school
• Learning new skills
• Help with education, jobs and training

To learn more, visit the Carers Trust website. 

Crisis support

Personal safety plan

When a veteran starts with Op COURAGE, we help them make a personal safety plan.

This plan helps if the veteran:

• Feels unwell
• Has a crisis
• Feels unsafe

It shows:

• What helps the veteran
• What doesn’t help
• Who to contact in an emergency

The plan also includes important phone numbers and contact details. These are for when a veteran is in crisis, feels unsafe, or needs urgent help.

Mental health support 

NHS

• A&E or call 999 in an emergency
• NHS 111: Call 111 and choose the mental health option
• Your GP or local mental health team

Veteran-specific support

• Midlands Op COURAGE: Call 0300 323 0139 (Emotional support line for veterans, open 24/7)
• Combat Stress: Call 0800 138 1619 or text 07537 173 683
• Samaritans Veterans line: Call 0808 175 3075 or use the Samaritans Veterans app

Mental health charities 

• Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight)
• MIND: Call 0300 102 1234 (9am to 6pm)
• SANEline: Call 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm to 10pm)
• National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK: Call 0800 689 5652 (6pm to midnight)
• Shout: Text ‘Shout’ to 85258 (If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support)

Veteran peer support

• No Duff: Call 07985 411 154
• Sapper Support: Call 0800 040 7873 or text 07860 018 733

Help with PTSD

• For information and support, visit the PTSD UK website

The Ripple Pond

Midlands Op COURAGE works with a charity called The Ripple Pond and can make direct referrals on your behalf.  

The Ripple Pond helps adult family members who care for someone in the British Armed Forces who is:

• Physically injured
• Mentally unwell (psychologically injured)

They make sure carers feel:

• Seen
• Heard
• Supported

What The Ripple Pond offers

• Online groups where members support each other
• Talks with useful information
• Online events and fun activities
• Virtual meet-ups with other members
• Help finding the right support
• One-to-one support from trained volunteers

To find out more, visit The Ripple Pond website.

Other support

Many charities that help veterans also support family members. 

Walking With The Wounded

Midlands Op COURAGE works with Walking With The Wounded, specifically its Head Start programme. 

They also offer other support for veterans and their families. 

To learn more, visit the Walking With The Wounded website.

Help for Heroes

Help for Heroes gives special support to families. This includes:

• One-to-one coaching for carers
• Mental health support
• Training
• Sports and social activities
• Help with money and welfare

To find out more, visit the Help for Heroes website.

Forces Employment Charity

The Forces Employment Charity’s Families Programme helps:

• Spouses and partners of still-serving personnel and veterans, including divorced, separated, and bereaved, on their journey into employment.

Service life and transition can impact the whole family, so they also help children and young people aged 16–24 from service families with:

• Mentoring (someone to talk to and learn from)
• Career advice and support

Their advisors are also military spouses, so they understand what it’s like. They give:

• One-to-one support
• Help with finding a job and getting ready to work

 To learn more, visit the Forces Employment Charity website.

The Poppy Factory 

The Poppy Factory's Families Employment Service gives personal job support to adult family members who care for or support a veteran with a health condition (or who has recovered from one).

This includes:

• Spouses and partners (even if separated)
• Parents
• Adult children
• Close friends or “chosen family”

Support is given online (via Teams, Zoom ) or by phone to best suit your needs.

Family members can self-refer, or can be referred using the partner registration form. 

The Warrior Programme 

Most veterans settle well into civilian life, but for some, it can be hard and stressful.

Families may feel worried or anxious, and this can lead to different problems - sometimes ones that last a long time.

The Warrior Programme gives you tools and support to help you cope with everyday challenges and feel more in control.

For more information, visit The Warrior Programme website.  

Betknowmore UK

Gambling Support for the Armed Forces Community

Betknowmore UK has a special programme to help veterans and others in the Armed Forces community who are affected by gambling problems.

The goals are to:

• Raise awareness about gambling harms
• Educate people about the risks
• Offer early help and support before things get worse

Find out more on the Betknowmore UK website.  

Veterans’ Family and Friends Group

We run an online group every two months for family and friends of veterans called the Veterans’ Family and Friends Group.

This group helps us:

• Stay connected with people who support veterans
• Improve the services we offer
• Hear your thoughts and ideas

You can:

• Join when it suits you
• Leave early if needed
• Skip meetings if you're busy - that’s okay!

Who can join?

If someone you care about is getting support (or has had support) from Midlands Op COURAGE, this group is for you.

Your voice matters, and we’d love to hear from you.

Meeting Dates for 2025

All meetings are held online and run from 12:30 to 1:30pm.

How to join

To get meeting invitations and more information, please fill in our online form.