Somerset Armed Forces Link Workers
If you want to speak to someone who understands what it's like to serve in the Armed Forces, our Link Workers here in Somerset can help. Between them, they have almost 50 years experience of service life.
They can advise you about a wide range of services available which are specifically targeted at the Armed Forces community in Somerset and if they are unable to meet your needs directly, they will introduce you to an organisation that can.
The Somerset Armed Forces Link Workers are there to support you. They may not have all the answers, but they will do their best to work with you to find a solution to whatever is concerning you.
Some of the areas with which they have supported serving personnel to date include:
- mental health concerns
- social isolation
- worries about family members, for example, settling children into a new school
- changing family dynamics, for example coping with a new baby
- advice if you are considering leaving the Forces
- addictions to alcohol, drugs or gambling
The list above is not exhaustive. If you would prefer to speak to an AFLW rather than email, they are generally available by phone during office hours or you can leave your details and they will call you back:
Physical wellbeing
For general information about how to access NHS services while in active service, click here. For more specific advice to Somerset, chose from the menu below.
As a serving member of the Armed Forces, we would expect you to be registered with a GP at your unit/base. However, this will not be the case if you are a non-mobilised reservist or for your family members.
Furthermore, there are some occasions where you might need to register with an an NHS GP, for example to access cancer services or maternity care. Your unit medical centre will be able to advise you if this becomes necessary.
All Somerset GP practices have signed up to the Royal College of General Practitioners Veteran Friendly accreditation scheme. We also work alongside them to support them in recognising the specific needs of other groups within the Armed Forces community such as reservists, partners and children.
Please let your Somerset GP know that you are a member of the Armed Forces community. There are a number of support services tailored specifically to your needs, but if your GP is unaware you are a member of this cohort, they won't be able to advise you about them.
For more information about GP practices in Somerset and how to register with a GP, click here.
As with registering with a GP, we would expect you to be registered with a dentist at your unit/base if you are currently serving. However, this will not be the case if you are a reservist or for your family members.
Consistent with the nationwide picture, we are aware that there are significant pressures with registering with an NHS dentist in Somerset.
Demand currently outweighs availability and we are aware that waiting lists are long.
To find whether any dentists in Somerset are currently taking new patients, visit the dental choices website here.
For emergency NHS dental treatment, follow the advice here.
To find answers to commonly asked questions about NHS dentists, click here.
As a serving member of the Armed Forces, you will expect to relocate more frequently than the civilian population.
The Armed Forces covenant is designed to ensure that this should not have a detrimental effect on any existing waiting times you, your partner or dependent children have, if you are moving within the UK.
It is important that before leaving the UK area in which you are on a waiting list, you ask your clinician to complete an inter provider transfer form.
If you move home due to a posting in the UK, it is normal for your current place on any NHS waiting lists to be transferred to your new area.
However, this does not guarantee you will have the same waiting time.
Waiting times may be shorter or longer depending on the clinical need in the area you are moving to. To check waiting times in the area to which you are moving click here.
For a guide to NHS services provided to the Armed Forces community, click here.
There is a lot of information available to you when you are intending to leave the Armed Forces. A good place to start is to read the Step-by-step guide for Service leavers which is available here.
It is important that you make your new GP aware that you are a member of the Armed Forces community.
Mental wellbeing
If you are currently serving and feel you need support for your mental wellbeing, your first port of call should always be the medical officer at your unit medical centre. Information on the correct procedure to follow can be found here.
Crisis safe space is an out-of-hours service for adults in Somerset who are struggling with their mental health. A link to their website with further Information about the services they provide, can be found here.
Somerset Domestic Abuse provide support for anyone seeking help with domestic abuse, including those who are causing harm. Details of the support they offer can be found here.
If you believe you need ongoing support to manage your behaviour, speak to your medical officer or contact one of our AFLWs.
Becoming a parent can cause high levels of stress and anxiety. Support is available if you believe you may be at risk of harming your child. Speak to the medical officer at your unit medical centre or the welfare officer.
The Health and Care System in Somerset is running a New Dads' Supporter Project which offers help and advice. Click here for more information.
ICON is a national charity which provides advice and guidance around how to cope with a crying infant.
Home-Start is another national organisation which supports parents to help give their children a better future. More information about this charity can be found here.
They will be running two online peer support groups for new mums or new dads in 2025. Beneficiaries may be serving in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines or be the partner/spouse of someone who is.
These sessions will provide an opportunity to meet other parents who have children under the age of 5 who are in a similar situation. Six weekly Zoom sessions for each group will take place between 10:00 and 11:00. A starting date has yet to be confirmed.
To request more information or to register your interest, please email Home-Start South and West Devon here.
If you believe you need ongoing support with parenting concerns, speak to your medical officer or contact one of our AFLWs.
If you have an addiction which is having an impact on your life, your first port of call should be the medical officer at your unit medical centre.
There are many charities and organisations who offer specific support to those with addictions, and our AFLWs are able to link you in with these.
Turning Point is a Somerset drug and alcohol service which offers a person-centred approach to support.
Ara offer free and confidential support across Wales and the south west for those whose lives are affected by gambling.
Whilst in active service, you should always follow military protocol and contact the medical officer at your unit medical centre.
Information about Army Welfare Support can be found here.
Togetherall provides free mental health support for all members of the UK Armed Forces. It is a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing. The service is managed by clinicians and monitored 24/7 by professionals.
It can be helpful if you:
- are looking to talk to someone but may be hesitant about “clinical” treatment
- may benefit from anonymous support as you don’t feel comfortable seeking or receiving face-to-face support
- are looking for support between sessions/treatment
- have an extended wait time until your first session with a therapist
More information about Togetherall and how to register can be found here.
The NHS Somerset Armed Forces Link Workers are available to support every member of the Armed Forces community, including those currently serving, their partners and dependents, reservists and veterans. Having served themselves, they have a good understanding of military life. Their contact details can be found here.
They will be able to introduce you to sources of support open to serving members of the Armed Forces.
If you have a concern about a family member, you should contact their GP.
Somerset Mind offer 24/7 support for anyone with mental wellbeing concerns. Details of how to contact them can be found here.
Somerset Open Mental Health is an alliance of local voluntary organisations, the NHS and social care, Somerset Council, and individuals with lived experience of mental health. More information about their services can be found here.
Our NHS Somerset Armed Forces Link Workers are another source of support.
Children's education and wellbeing
Somerset Council guidance on enrolling your child into school can be found here.
NHS Somerset guidance on all aspects of children's health can be found on our NHS Somerset children's health webpages.
Additional guidance about ADHD referrals and your right to choose are available here.
As a member of the Armed Forces, it is important that you tell your child's school, as they may be entitled to claim the Service Pupil Premium allowance (SPP). SPP helps a school to provide additional support that a service child may need. More information about SPP can be found here.
Somerset justice system
Whilst we may not be able to directly support serving members of the Armed Forces who find themselves in police custody, please ensure you make officers aware of your serving status.
Our Armed Forces Link Workers may be able to direct family members and dependents to sources of support. Should your situation result in discharge from the forces, they will be able to offer information and support to you throughout this process.
Somerset housing services
Information about the Government's 'Forces House to Buy' scheme is available here. This scheme is open to currently serving personnel with 6 months left to serve. Unfortunately, it is not open to reservists.
You can also find information about Somerset's social housing scheme here, which may be of particular use if you are considering leaving the Forces in the near future and do not own your own home.
Non Somerset-specific information about Pinnacle Service Families housing is available here.
Financial wellbeing
Your welfare officer is available to support you with any difficulties you may be facing financially.
Additionally, if you are facing financial hardship due to specific circumstances, such as gambling addiction, long-term sickness of a family member etc, further help may be available.
Contact one of our Armed Forces Link Workers who may be able to assist you with other sources of support, such as introducing you to your local Armed Forces Champion at the Department of Work and Pensions or supporting you to access food vouchers.
Further information on local services
A thriving Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector exists in Somerset and there is a wide range of services available.
Your Armed Forces Link Workers are there to help you to access this support.
Another source of assistance which is available to all Somerset residents and is not Forces specific, is provided by Somerset Village and Community agents.
Whilst access to a Community Agent requires a GP or adult social care referral, Village Agents can be contacted directly. Click here to find details for your local Village Agent.
If you are a newly arrived serving Armed Forces family in the Wincanton area and would like to connect with other local families, Sandra Stevens is a Family Support Worker based at the Balsam Centre, who can introduce you to the many existing activities and services at the Centre, as well as arrange to get people together either over a cuppa or a fun activity. Click here to email Sandra for more information.
