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Veterans’ welfare UK: Comprehensive support services for veterans
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23rd April 2026
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There are a number of welfare services available for veterans and their families in the UK, which are designed to help those who have left the military live full and rewarding lives. From the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to charity organisations, veterans don’t have to make the transition to civilian life alone.
Veterans support services can help with navigating benefits, seeking mental health support and answering any questions military leavers may have. Former members of the armed forces are encouraged to reach out to these organisations for the advice they need.
What is the Veterans Welfare Service?
The Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) is one such organisation that works with those leaving the Royal Navy, the British Army or the Royal Air Force. It promotes independence and aims to maintain dignity through its network of welfare managers in conjunction with local authorities, voluntary organisations, service charities and veterans committees.
Operating across the UK, the VWS supports veterans in situations that result in a change to their welfare needs. Its scope includes issues with leaving the services, bereavement, disability, income or finances and housing.
Eligibility criteria for the Veterans Welfare Service
All veterans who have served in the armed forces as a regular or reserve can ask for support from the VWS. What some people may not realise is their families and dependents can access these services too, offering help to the wider forces community.
Ex-military personnel who are eligible for, or in receipt of payments from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or the War Pensions Scheme can seek assistance from the VWS. Former service members who’ve been medically discharged or have an enduring welfare requirement on discharge and bereaved families of service personnel can all turn to the VWS.
Available support and services
Veterans looking to take advantage of the assistance available from the VWS should first contact one of the veterans welfare centres or the MoD. This can be done via phone or email.
The regional offices are as follows:
Key services provided by the VWS include applying for and accessing war pensions from either the War Pension Scheme or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. Assistance is available with housing and mental health support, where changes to circumstances have brought these issues into focus.
Transitioning into civilian life from a military career can be a big upheaval and many veterans require assistance after the strict parameters of the armed forces are no longer in place. The VWS can help service leavers with job reintegration programmes to make taking the next step easier.
Veterans’ needs are varied, so aid comes in the form of emotional support, financial help and rehabilitation services. These services can make a difference in the lives of veterans and their families because they ease the transition and ensure the infrastructure is in place to allow service leavers to build new, sustainable futures.
How to access the Veterans Welfare Service
Veterans looking to take advantage of the assistance available from the VWS should first contact one of the veterans welfare centres or the MoD. This can be done via phone or email.
The regional offices are as follows:
London, south east and south west England
Telephone: 02392 702232
Email: Veterans-UK-VWS-South@mod.gov.uk
South and central Wales, midlands and east England
Telephone: 01562 825527
Email: Veterans-UK-VWS-Wales-Mid@mod.gov.uk
North west England, Yorkshire and Humber, north Wales and Isle of Man
Email: Veterans-UK-VWS-North@mod.gov.uk
Scotland, north east England, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Email: Veterans-UK-VWS-Scot-NI@mod.gov.uk
Ministry of Defence
Telephone: 0808 1914 218
Email: veterans-uk@mod.gov.uk
The government’s Veterans UK arm offers a wide range of support for those who have left the armed forces. It can help with the forms and documentation required to apply for benefits and other types of support.
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© Crown copyright
© Crown copyright
