Here to help

The Armed Forces Team at NHS Somerset is here to support you ... whether you are currently serving; have ever served in the past; are a partner or under 18 child of a veteran or someone currently serving; or a reservist.

Our role

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, including the bereaved, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives.

In March 2024, we published a report summarising what we had been told by members of the Armed Forces community living in Somerset. To view the report click here or to share your views with us, please email somicb.armedforce@nhs.net.

We are here to offer advice and support to the Armed Forces community in Somerset with issues that impact daily life. Examples include - but are not limited to - healthcare, education, housing and the justice system.

NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board funds two full-time Armed Forces Link Workers who are based in Taunton and South Somerset.

Our Somerset Armed Forces Hubs

At NHS Somerset ICB we have a two-person Armed Forces team whose role is to listen to the voices of the Armed Forces community and act upon their needs.

In March 2023, we launched our two permanent Armed Forces Hubs. These are both based within already established organisations. Our NHS funded Armed Forces Link Workers are here to support the needs of our Armed Forces community in Somerset. They can offer advice, support and opportunities to meet with other members of the Armed Forces community.

Photo 03-04-2024, 12 09 30

Meet the team

Jon Richards

Armed Forces Link Worker

Tel: 07759 005067

Jon is based at ARK@Egwood and served in the Royal Navy for 24 years.

Samantha Jones

Armed Forces Link Worker

Tel: 07376 090383

Samantha is based at Arc in Taunton and served in the Royal Air Force Police for 12 years.

Sam Shepherd

Armed Forces Link Worker

Tel: 07561 350995

Sam is based at ARK@Egwood with Jon, and served in the Royal Navy for 9 years.

Teri Underwood

Teri is the Community Lead and heads the Armed Forces team at NHS Somerset ICB.

Rebecca Oliver

Rebecca works alongside Teri at NHS Somerset ICB as the Armed Forces Community Officer.

Find support relevant to you

Want to learn more about our Outreach Services?

Join us at one of our four Armed Forces Outreach Service groups which run across the county. Anyone from the Armed Forces community is welcome to attend.

Come along for a brew and a chat, or if you have a specific enquiry, meet with a range of professionals who are there to support you.

At each session, various agencies will be on hand to provide one-to-one advice about a whole range of issues, and you will always find one of our Armed Forces Link Workers and Teri or Rebecca from the NHS Armed Forces team to welcome you.