SSAFA Forces Help
The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association Forces Help (often just called SSAFA; pronounced SA-FA) is a British charity that supports former and active members of the British armed forces or their families. To qualify for assistance, the individual must have completed at least one day of paid work in the British Armed Forces.
history
The Soldiers 'and Sailors' Families Association was founded in 1885 by James Gildea . In 1919, after the Royal Air Force was founded in 1918, it became an official welfare organization under the name " Soldiers , Sailors , Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA)". Today's SSAFA Forces Help emerged from the merger with the "Forces Help Society" in 1997.
aims
The organization has set itself the task of supporting the following groups of people:
- Members and former members of all ranks and segments of the British Army ("anyone who has ever served");
- Spouses, ex-spouses, families, widows, widowers, children and other dependents of members or ex-members of the British Army;
- Members and former members of the Commercial Navy under the orders of the Admiralty;
- Members or former members of the British Army Nursing Services and the Organization's Nursing Services;
- British members of the Palestinian Police Force who served during World War II and their dependents;
- UK citizens serving abroad and serving in the British Army while abroad and for a maximum of six months after returning to the UK.
With the donations, the SSAFA Forces Help tries to do the following:
- Assure that their services overseas and in the UK will continue to operate and develop,
- Organize volunteers to spend time with families and service providers
- Support the Stepping Stones Homes, a housing option for female servants and their relatives,
- Support campaigns that aim to raise national awareness for those in need,
- Provide training for volunteers in the UK.