SSAFA – the Armed Forces charity, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, is a UK charity that provides lifelong support to serving men and women and veterans from the British Armed Forces and their families or dependents. Anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force and their families, both regulars and reserves, is eligible for their help. SSAFA’s professional staff and network of 7,000 volunteers assist more than 90,000 people every year, from World War II veterans to the families of young servicemen and women wounded or killed in Afghanistan. Founded in 1885, SSAFA is the UK's oldest national tri-service Armed Forces charity. Clients SSAFA offers help and support to all serving and former members of all ranks of the Armed Forces, including: Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Forces, including Royal Navy Reserves, Royal Marine Reserves, Army Reserves and Royal Air Force Reserves Nursing services. The following people are also eligible for SSAFA’s support: Wives and former wives Husbands and former husbands Widows and widowers Civil partners and former civil partners Partners who are, or were, in an established relationship with a Beneficiary Children who are dependent on a beneficiary Those who provide, or provided, care for a beneficiary. Welfare advice and support SSAFA offer welfare advice and support for serving personnel, veterans and their families through a worldwide network of volunteers. Branches in local communities provide help for veterans and their families and committees on military bases help serving families. For currently serving personnel and their families Support in service communities SSAFA has a network of volunteers on Army, RAF and Naval bases in the UK and around the world who give local support. Housing for wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and their families SSAFA Norton Homes in Selly Oak, Birmingham, and Headley Court, Surrey provide home-from-home accommodation for families visiting wounded injured or sick service or ex-service personnel and outpatients. SSAFA also provides day-to-day management of Fisher House UK at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB). Mentoring for injured, wounded or sick service leavers SSAFA’s mentoring scheme was set up in 2011 and supports those transitioning out of the Army or RAF due to medical discharge. SSAFA’s volunteer mentors provide support to wounded, injured and sick service leavers through a long-term 'one-to-one' relationship that underpins the transition from the