A new and exciting project has been launched thanks to the funding of The Armed Forces Covenant Fund. This new Northern Ireland specific service will offer Alternative therapies along side traditional therapies. It is aimed at Veterans’ Families and Carers with all veterans eligible for assistance. Included in the range of therapies is Horticultural Therapy, Equine Therapy, Music Therapy and a range of psyco-educational courses. for more information download our brochure here

WHO ARE WE? WHAT IS THE ROYAL ENGINEERS ASSOCIATION? The Royal Engineers Association (REA) is the Regimental Association of the Royal Engineers. Charity numbers 258322 and SC 041832. The original REA was founded in 1912 under the name of The Royal Engineers Old Comrades Association. Its name was changed to the Royal Engineers Association in 1952. WHAT WE DO The Aim of the Association is to promote and support the Corps of Royal Engineers among members of the Association by fostering esprit de corps and a spirit of comradeship and service, and by maintaining an awareness of Corps traditions. The Association also acts as a link between serving and retired members of the Corps and it provides financial and other assistance to serving and former members of the Corps, their spouses, widows and dependents who are in need. Grants, within Association Guidelines, are made to the Army Benevolent Fund and to other charities that further the objectives of the Association.

Branch History The Northern Ireland Branch was formed in March 1956 in Victoria Barracks (since demolished) in Belfast. The majority of the foundation Members were ex-war time Signallers, many of whom had joined the Territorial Army after the war. Over the years there has continually been a good mix of ex-war time, ex-regular, ex & serving TA Members. There has also always been a good mix of Commissioned, Senior and Junior ranks. Social Activities Social activities include various interesting speakers or demonstrations, discos, Annual dinner etc. Each year in June a number of Members attend the Royal Signals re-union at Blandford. On Remembrance Sunday the Branch Members attend church service with 40 (NIH) Signal Squadron (V).   We hold regular monthly meetings the third Wednesday of each month. If you live anywhere in Northern Ireland and would like to join us you would be most welcome!

SSAFA is a national charity operated on a regional basis. All our Branch members are highly trained volunteers, giving their time freely. SSAFA helps serving and ex-service men or women and their wives, husbands, partners and dependant family members, who need friendship, advice or assistance, from the day their service starts and for the rest of their lives. This help continues for widows and widowers, after divorce, and for people separated from established partnerships and for dependant children. We do not sit in judgement, we simply help people to sort out problems – with their agreement and as fast as possible. We are available, at the end of the telephone, by email or by letter, to do everything possible to relieve distress or to solve a problem. We will discuss the matter with you and agree the action to be taken. You can come to us with any problem or request – we don’t limit the type of problem or the type of help that might be possible. And we will see it through with you to the end – we won’t abandon you during the process.

The Legion is there for all members of the UK Armed Forces community, not just serving members of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, but also ex-Service men and women (veterans), their carers and families. Millions of people in the UK and overseas are eligible to call on the Legion for help and half of those helped by the Legion are below retirement age. We provide practical care, advice and support to the Armed Forces family all year round. Welfare is at the heart of everything we do. Our Pop-In Advice & Information centre is situated at 51-53 Fountain Street, in Belfast City centre (directions here). Open from Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm, the Pop-In provides a welcoming modern facility where staff and volunteers are available to meet with callers. The Area Office for Ireland (covering NI and the Republic) is at the same address in Belfast. We currently operate an Outreach service in Omagh, Portrush, Limavady and Newtownards. Details of your nearest outreach facility and the operating times of these services is available here. Our secondary office in Dublin is at The Capel Building, Mary’s Abbey, Dublin 7. Our Contact Centre operates seven days a week, from 08:00am to 08:00pm. The UK Freephone number for the Contact Centre is 0808 802 8080. For callers from the Republic of Ireland, the Freephone number is 1800 992 294. For more information, visit our website www.britishlegion.org.uk. Our website offers a live web chat facility and access to our extensive Knowledge Base. Why not ‘pop in’ and see us:

The Association’s Objectives 1. To provide opportunities for members to meet and keep in touch, through organised social events and other activities. 2. To maintain contact with former members of The Regiment, their families and dependants; and in cases of need, to provide assistance by the most appropriate means whether or not the person is a member of the Association. 3. To bring to the attention of the relevant authorities any cases, which come to the notice of the Association, of former members of HM Forces requiring assistance. 4. To support The Ulster Defence Regiment Benevolent Fund. 5. To support The Royal Irish Regiment. The Ulster Defence Regiment became operational on 1st April 1970 in response to the demand for additional troops to support the civil powers in Northern Ireland. The Regiment  was on continuous operational service for a period of twenty-two years, a distinction held by no other regiment in the history of the British Army. The gallantry and devotion to duty of the many thousands of men and women who served in the UDR was acknowledged by the large number of honours and awards for gallantry bestowed upon individuals. On 1st July 1992, the Regiment merged with the Royal Irish Rangers to form the Royal Irish Regiment. The unique service and sacrifice of the UDR and Royal Irish (Home Service) was marked by Her Majesty the Queen’s award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross to the Royal Irish Regiment on 6th October 2006,

Victims and Survivors Service VSS deliver funding and support to victims and survivors of the Conflict/Troubles, on behalf of The Executive Office. We are here to assist all victims and survivors identified in the Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. This means that we can provide support to those who have been affected by the Conflict/Troubles in the following ways: those who have been injured (physically or psychologically); those who care for people who have been injured in this way; and those who have been bereaved. If you have been affected in any of these ways and feel that you need some support, please contact us. Our team is ready to speak with you in confidence, to find options for help that may be available.