OUR MISSION STATEMENT:

“We support military veterans struggling to adjust to civilian life; we want all veterans to live great lives, filled with passion, purpose, social connection, service and growth.”

In the UK, military veterans and their families account for 5% of the general population. There are an estimated 2.5 million veterans living in the United Kingdom. For some veterans a return to civilian life can be a joyous experience, however for others it can be an experience fraught with transitional difficulties that are multiple and complex in nature. Sadly, through omission and/or commission we are leaving behind too many of our veterans in the ‘no mans land’ of civvy street. With so many veteran support organisations, groups, charities and providers operating in the same area it is no surprise to hear that veterans struggle to navigate, connect and engage with professional support in a timely manner. Far to often, unregulated providers ‘muddy the water’ by replicating and duplicating services causing confusion, disconnection and anxiety for those seeking help. We aim to provide a safe place where all veterans can feel physically and psychologically supported, respected and welcome. Any veterans accessing our services will be signposted to the most appropriate service so that they can receive timely, high quality, personalised, safe, effective and equitable support, irrespective of geography, gender, race, age, culture or sexual orientation. Our promise to you … ‘we will simplify the chaos!’  

“If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.”  — Goethe

Over the last 12 years we have become a strong voice advocating for a holistic, compassionate continuum of services, treatment and care for our service members, veterans, families, care givers and care providers. Forward Assist facilitate ‘lived experience’ consultation sessions and share our findings to raise awareness, focus outreach support and promote strategic partnerships that streamline and improve access to veteran centric support and health care providers.

Based in the North East of England, but with a geographical footprint across the UK. Forward Assist has moved the professional practice dial forward and developed unique services that foster Post Traumatic Growth. If needed Forward Assist, in collaboration with a host of multi-disciplinary partners can help you access bespoke support to address key issues such as unemployment, homelessness, involvement in the CJS, family breakdown and/or chronic social exclusion. The transition from military to civilian life can be a challenging journey for many UK military veterans. This shift often requires significant adjustments, including finding new career paths, adapting to civilian societal norms, and coping with the physical and psychological impacts of service. While traditional interventions often focus on addressing deficits and treating conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression, strength-based interventions offer a compelling alternative. These approaches emphasise the innate strengths, skills, and resilience of veterans, fostering empowerment and long-term well-being.

Forward Assist’s Strength-based interventions focus on identifying and utilising the individual’s existing assets, capabilities, and achievements. Rather than emphasising problems or deficits, this approach leverages the skills veterans developed during their military service, such as leadership, discipline, adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving. By recognising these attributes, strength-based interventions seek to build confidence and motivation, encouraging veterans to apply their abilities in new contexts.

Veterans often leave the military with a wealth of experience in overcoming adversity. Strength-based interventions help them reconnect with their resilience, allowing them to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. By fostering a sense of self-efficacy, these interventions empower veterans to take control of their own recovery and transition, reducing feelings of helplessness or victimisation. Traditional approaches that focus on pathology can inadvertently reinforce stigma around seeking help, as they may be perceived as highlighting weaknesses.

Forward Assist’s, strength-based interventions, on the other hand, frame support as an opportunity to build on existing strengths. This positive framing encourages veterans to engage more openly with services, helping to normalise the process of seeking assistance and addressing mental health concerns. The military emphasises strength, capability, and mission focus, these values that align well with a strength-based approach. By recognising and validating these values, such interventions resonate more effectively with veterans. They provide a culturally competent framework that respects and honours the veteran’s identity, making them more likely to engage with and benefit from the support provided.

Reintegration into civilian life can be daunting, particularly when veterans struggle to find a sense of purpose. Strength-based interventions guide veterans in identifying how their military skills can translate into civilian roles, whether through employment, volunteering, or community involvement. This approach fosters a sense of purpose and belonging, key factors in achieving long-term stability and fulfilment. By focusing on strengths, these interventions promote a more holistic approach to well-being.

Veterans are encouraged to build supportive networks, engage in meaningful activities, and pursue personal goals, all of which contribute to overall quality of life. Emerging research supports the efficacy of strength-based approaches for veterans. Studies have shown that interventions focusing on resilience, positive psychology, and skill-building can lead to improved mental health outcomes, reduced substance use, and enhanced life satisfaction. We have found that our strength-based interventions represent a powerful tool in supporting UK military veterans as they navigate the complexities of post-service life.

By emphasising resilience, skills, and potential, these approaches foster empowerment, reduce stigma, and encourage meaningful reintegration into civilian society. In a landscape where, traditional deficit-focused models have dominated, strength-based interventions Forward Assists approach offers a refreshing and impactful paradigm.

“ Forward Assist aim to enrich the lives of UK veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity.”

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