Mental health and wellbeing
RAF Benevolent Fund – provides practical, emotional and financial support for all serving RAF personnel and veterans as well as their partners and dependants.
SSAFA – supports the whole RAF family offering support to adults and children for mental health, difficult relationships, domestic abuse, financial and cost-of-living concerns, resettlement, housing, childcare, equality issues, bereavement, military discharge or deployments. They are available on Whatsapp, live chat, Facebook, in person at most stations or via the helpline on 0800 058 4690 (UK callers) or 020 4570 3939 (overseas callers).
RAF Association – courses on navigating dementia and mental wellbeing.
Op COURAGE NHS Veterans and Reservists Mental Health service – only with discharge date.
Combat Stress - a free 24-hour mental-health helpline for serving personnel. Family members concerned about a service person’s mental health can also call the helpline: 0800 323 4444.
Togetherall – for everyone looking for mental health support
NHS Every Mind Matters – tips to lift your mood or ease anxiety.
HeadFIT – an online tool to help defence people manage the stresses of everyday life. Includes breathing exercises, body posture and relaxation techniques.
Headspace – an app providing guides on mindfulness, meditation and sleep. Serving RAF personnel get free membership to the app by emailing [email protected] from an MoD email address and quoting their service number.
Samaritans – the charity has created a Military Support Guide to provide advice on how to support someone who is struggling to cope.
Mind - the mental health charity provides support to anyone who needs it.
The Bullying, Harassment, and Discrimination helpline offers support for all Defence Personnel, available on 0800 014 2381 (UK) or +44 330 008 5942 (Outside UK).
Shout – the charity offers 24/7 confidential crisis support via text when you need immediate assistance. Text SHOUT to 85258.
The Defence Academy Mental Fitness and Resilience Fundamentals Online Course – 2 hour e-learning course giving the essentials to build psychological resilience and is available 24/7. The Annual Mental Fitness Brief is also available with MODnet access via The Defence Gateway.
RAF Chaplains – our multi-faith Chaplains offer universal support to all our personnel irrespective of their religious background. To talk to someone, contact your station guardroom for the number of the duty Chaplain.
HSE Talking Toolkit for Preventing Work-Related Stress – this Government toolkit has advice for remote working.
The following resources are available to RAF personnel on MODNET:
Physical health and fitness
Remote workout series - follow our at-home workouts on YouTube led by RAF Physical Training Instructors.
LES MILLS - the RAF Central Fund has partnered with LES MILLS to offer RAF personnel 60 days free access to LES MILLS™ On Demand – an online fitness service – plus a special discounted rate for those wishing to continue their membership beyond this period. Get your free trial.
Defence Nutrition Advisory Service - DNAS provides expert advice on diet, nutrition and military feeding.
Defence medical services e-consult - use this digital access service to contact your medical centre electronically.
NHS & Exercise - advice for daily exercise here, including the couch to 5k programme.
Sleep- tips for improved sleep quality from the Sleep Foundation.
Public Health England - The Government’s advice and guidelines on dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
NHS - Medical advice regarding COVID-19.
The following resources are available to RAF personnel on MODNET:
- Return to Fitness Programmes
- Pre/post-natal PTI
- RAF Disability and Carers Network
- RAF medical guides
Financial support
Government Benefits Calculator – free and anonymous benefits calculator to check what you could be entitled to.
Discover My Benefits – find out what support and benefits are available.
Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund – provides practical, emotional and financial support.
SSAFA – supports the whole RAF family offering support to adults and children for mental health, difficult relationships, domestic abuse, financial and cost-of-living concerns, resettlement, housing, childcare, equality issues, bereavement, military discharge or deployments. They are available on Whatsapp, live chat, Facebook, in person at most stations or via the helpline on 0800 058 4690 (UK callers) or 020 4570 3939 (overseas callers).
Help for Heroes – Money Management, Employment Support, Financial Benefits, War Pension assistance.
Forces Finance – mortgages and savings advice.
Defence Discount Service – The official MoD discount service for the Armed Forces, Veterans and Armed Forces Community.
Blue Light Card – The UK's leading discount provider for the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces
ATG Tickets – Local Heroes, 25% off theatre tickets.
RAF Central Fund – funding for sport and physical activities.
NAAFI – Units can apply for NAAFI Funding to support projects that improve.
Charity for Civil Servants – offers financial support if you are experiencing hardship.
CSSC – exclusive discounts for Civil Servants.
Family wellbeing and support
Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund – Building Stronger Families, Relationship Counselling, Care Breaks and Welfare Breaks.
SSAFA – supports the whole RAF family offering support to adults and children for mental health, difficult relationships, domestic abuse, financial and cost-of-living concerns, resettlement, housing, childcare, equality issues, bereavement, military discharge or deployments. They are available on Whatsapp, live chat, Facebook, in person at most stations or via the helpline on 0800 058 4690 (UK callers) or 020 4570 3939 (overseas callers).
Help for Heroes – Home Visits, Housing Difficulties, Domestic Abuse support, Support for Families.
Parents Return to Work Network
RAF Families Federation – support for RAF personnel and their families worldwide.
RAF Serving Families Support – Advice for partners and families of RAF personnel, including what to do in an emergency.
Information for serving parents on Sharepoint and Trade unions for civil servants – available to RAF personnel on MODNET.
Spiritual wellbeing
Veterans Welfare Service – professional help and advice to veterans, their families and dependants, as well as those supporting veterans.
Charity for Civil Servants – offers practical and emotions support if you are experiencing hardship.
The following resources are available to RAF personnel on MODNET:
RAF personnel also have access to more support and services at their local RAF station, including:
- Local chaplains
- On-site childcare facilities
- Defence medical services
- PRU/Battleback
- On-site gym access
- Recall days
- Thirving at work course and TRiM