Donate time and/or money

How Can You Help?

Click here to Volunteer

Could YOU help SSAFA in Somerset? Have you the skills and some spare time to make a real difference to those people, and their families, who have served their country?

Click on the image above to send an email to SSAFA Somerset’s Recruiting Officer.


Click here to help with Fund-raising

Would YOU like information about the Friends of SSAFA Somerset, would like to assist at our events or would like a speaker for your club or community group.

Click on the image above to send an email to the FOSS Secretary.

Click here for ways to Donate

Would YOU like to make a donation. FOSS accepts donations securely using PayPal but the SSAFA website provides other ways to donate to the oldest Military Charity in the UK.

Click on the image above to jump to the Ways to Donate page.

Who are FOSS and SSAFA

More About Us

The Friends of SSAFA Somerset (“FOSS”) is here to support the Somerset branch of SSAFA by raising funds and organising events throughout the year and look forward to welcoming you at some of them! See our Events page for what appeals to you.

The Friends of SSAFA Somerset (FOSS) was established in 2000 by Sir Jerry Wiggin and Brigadier DP de C Morgan. As a committee it was set the challenge of raising £10,000 a year to support the Somerset Branch of SSAFA.

We are the UK’s oldest Armed Forces charity. Our 130 years of experience have helped us to understand the unique demands of military life – and we believe that those who have served their country should get the best possible support when they need it.

From Facebook and twitter

Latest Social Media Feeds

Facebook Feed

SSAFA Somerset

2 days ago

SSAFA Somerset
SSAFA Staffordshire and Tri Services and Veterans Support Centre. Registered charity 1159599 have started Facebook Messenger Rooms for veterans during the lockdown to help alleviate isolation. #LetsTalkLoneliness Kathy Munslow, Divisional Secretary for Stafford and Newcastle-under-Lyme says: "It is extremely important for our veterans to have time to connect online. It is also amazing to see this generation jumping at technology, connecting virtually, and alleviating some loneliness and isolation."The Division has run several sessions, working in partnership with students from Keele University's School of Allied Health Professions and Physiotherapy, conducting health and wellbeing activities to combat Covid-19.Local veterans benefiting include former British Army sapper, World War Two veteran, and centenarian Norman Lewis (pictured bottom right). Norman was captured by the Germans in 1940 and held in as a prisoner of war in Poland for five years, until he embarked on an epic 10,000-mile escape. You can read his story on our website ▸ ssaf.as/normansstory ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

SSAFA Somerset

4 days ago

SSAFA Somerset
Some great local news!Two officers from RNAS Culdrose have been singled out for their exceptional contribution and service in the Royal Navy.Warrant Officer (WO1) Scott ‘Barney’ Barnett is to be presented with a commendation by the head of the navy, the First Sea Lord, for his part in producing more than 35,500 face masks in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.The 46-year-old, who lives in Mullion, was inspired to start producing visors in the spring of 2020.The Merlin helicopter air engineering officer helped set up a group of fellow 3D-printing enthusiasts in Cornwall to begin producing visors at home. He is also part of Culdrose’s Innovation Hub, which quickly turned its 3D-printers to the same purpose and enlisted volunteers from across the station to produce thousands of masks which were handed out widely across Cornwall.Speaking of his praise last year, First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin said: “I was delighted to hear about what Warrant Officer Barnett has achieved. Collaboration and teamwork are at the heart of the Royal Navy ethos, and to have set up a group in his spare time that has delivered assistance to the local community on this scale is superb.”Warrant Officer Barnett said this week: “It’s nice to get that recognition. It was something I really enjoyed doing. I remember thinking at the start that if I could make 100 masks, that would be amazing.”Meanwhile, Warrant Officer (WO1) Robert ‘Bob’ Holborn, aged 57 and from near Redruth, is to be handed a meritorious service medal for his distinguished service of 40 years.He left what was then known as Redruth Comprehensive School at the age of 17 to join the Royal Navy as a naval airman aircraft handler, part of the team who specialise in firefighting and manoeuvring aircraft on ships’ flight decks.He is now the most senior warrant officer of the Aircraft Handlers’ Branch and works at Culdrose’s Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations, helping train men and women as new naval airmen.His long service has seen him serve in the ships’ company with the aircraft carriers HMS Illustrious, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Invincible, as well as the warship HMS Ocean, and lately with the new carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.In between deployments and periods at the training school, Warrant Officer Holborn has served as an instructor with new recruits at the Cornish training base HMS Raleigh and back at the fire station at Culdrose’s airfield.He said: “I’ve spent a lot of my career away from home. Perhaps the most interesting was on Queen Elizabeth, bringing a new ship out of build.“As aircraft handlers, we always work as part of a team, either as a watch or a group, and there’s a lot of camaraderie that comes with that. We push that ethos of discipline and professionalism because you want to be the best.”He said one of the most poignant parts of the job was seeing how former recruits he had mentored during his time as a divisional officer at HMS Raleigh have now progressed in their careers.Many have since thanked him for his words of encouragement during their demanding training.“That’s what makes this job really important to me, knowing that you’ve helped people who might otherwise have left the service,” he added.“I leave the service myself in June after 40 years and I’ve had a brilliant time. It’s been great.” ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

SSAFA Somerset

5 days ago

SSAFA Somerset
On this day in 2000 the ban on LGBTQ personnel was lifted in HM Armed Forces. People perform better when they can be themselves. This has ensured a diverse and inclusive Armed Forces. SSAFA - The Armed Forces Charity celebrate our Armed Forces family... ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Twitter Feed

SSAFA SomersetFollow

Avatar
Retweet on TwitterSSAFA Somerset Retweeted
AvatarSSAFA@SSAFA·
15h

"What keeps me going is knowing our branch is giving people some hope and doing good. We’re making a difference in the world."

Join @SSAFA's volunteers like Eric, and help us change lives for the better ▸ https://ssaf.as/volunteer2021

3
Reply on Twitter 1350706924241772545Retweet on Twitter 135070692424177254517Like on Twitter 135070692424177254535Twitter 1350706924241772545
Retweet on TwitterSSAFA Somerset Retweeted
AvatarSomerset Jobs@SomersetJob·
14 Jan

Could you be a volunteer caseworker? @SSAFASomerset are looking for people who want to do something highly rewarding. #volunteering #SomersetJobs https://somersetjobs.co.uk/job/caseworker-ssafa/

Reply on Twitter 1349631577765146625Retweet on Twitter 13496315777651466252Like on Twitter 13496315777651466251Twitter 1349631577765146625
Retweet on TwitterSSAFA Somerset Retweeted
AvatarSomerset Libraries@SomersetLib·
13 Jan

Just a reminder that we still have a range of services for you during lockdown - take a look at our website for details: http://www.somersetlibraries.co.uk

Reply on Twitter 1349302602656321536Retweet on Twitter 13493026026563215366Like on Twitter 13493026026563215368Twitter 1349302602656321536
FOSS, SSAFA Somerset and SSAFA News

Latest News

SOMERSET

Rob Heard MBE

Somerset artist Rob Heard, who created the art installation ‘Shrouds of the Somme’ has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours. Rob is a Vice-President of SSAFA Devon. …

FOSS

FOSS 2020 Update

Dear Friends,  It has been an extraordinary year and I hope you have been able to adapt during the past months with the variety of restrictions imposed by the COVID19 …

SOMERSET SSAFA

Dress Down for Charity

Olivia Boyd, alongside King’s College Headmaster Richard Biggs, presents a cheque to Brigadier Mike Hodson and Sue Adams of the Friends of SSAFA Somerset. A Taunton student’s creative fundraising idea …

EVENTS / SOMERSET

Poppies to Paddington

GWR joins forces with The Veterans Charity to plan special ‘Poppies to Paddington’ operation for Remembrance Day Wreaths from across Great Western Railway network to be carried to the capital …

Read More
SSAFA Somerset Branch Support

How Can We Help You?

SSAFA Forcesline

SSAFA Forcesline is a free and confidential telephone helpline and email service that provides support for serving (regulars and reserves) and ex-service men and women from the Armed Forces and for their families. As an independent charity, SSAFA is not part of the military chain of command. In the majority of cases, anything that you tell us will be kept private and between you and our staff. Learn More

SUPPORT FOR THE ARMED FORCES IN SOMERSET

If you have, or have ever had, a connection with the armed forces or are a dependent, and struggling in areas such as home improvements or family breakdown, we may be able to help you. Please use email form left to make contact with Branch if at all possible as the telephone number is a messaging service only.



SSAFA Somerset, Eagle House, 21-22 Alexandra Parade, Weston super Mare, Somerset, BS23 1QX
020 8938 3633
Somerset@ssafa.org.uk