Somerset Armed Forces Hub
Based in South Somerset, the hub is open to all members of the Armed Forces community including those serving, their families and veterans.
"A few weeks ago, in Taunton I visited the Arc Veterans Project, which is an incredible, supportive community for former members of the Armed Forces who find themselves homeless and struggling. A man I met there – let’s call him John – years after leaving service, had lost everything through depression and addiction. Now, on the road to recovery and a new life through a combination of therapy and social support. It was almost impossible to know who was NHS, who was voluntary sector. And it didn’t matter. What mattered is that they were all contributing, and they were making a massive difference for John, and for people like him.”
NHS England’s Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard speaking at the NHS Confederation Expo 2024
About the Hub
The hub based at ARK in South Somerset, is open to all members of the Armed Forces community including those serving, reservists, their families and veterans. It provides lots of information to help our Armed Forces community to navigate the system and find the services and support they need.
In Somerset we have a large Armed Forces community. This includes serving personnel at two military bases, reservists and a large veteran population, as well as their families. A conservative estimate is that 9% of the Somerset population is part of the Armed Forces community. One in 20 of our population are veterans (compared to 1 in 25 nationally).
Our Somerset hub based at ARK at Egwood, is set in a beautiful rural location. Founded by a Royal Navy veteran and his wife (Nigel and Amanda Bell), Acts of Random Kindness (ARK) is a safe, inclusive place where everyone can connect with others and be themselves
NHS Somerset have commissioned specific Armed Forces Link Workers (AFLWs), who are based at ARK but cover the entire county.
Our Link Workers provide advice and support, tailored to individual need. For example, this could be support for those experiencing homelessness, those who need help with their mental health, support to access funding through military charities or with managing chronic pain etc.
Military personnel, their families, veterans or reservists can self-refer into the service or be referred in by their GP, local village agent, health coach, friends or family.
How to access the service
You can approach our AFLW's directly using the contact options below. 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.
You can also complete a self-referral form for ARK at Egwood by clicking the link below.
