The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association – Forces Help dates back to 1885 when a Major James Gildea decided that he would set up a welfare help service for the wives and families left in the UK during the deployment of his regiment with the Second Egyptian Expeditionary Force. At that time, these ideas were revolutionary but they were quickly adopted throughout the British Army. A wide network of volunteers was set up and a formal association was soon established. As SSAFA’s first President, Princess Alexandra, said at the outset: “we are about helping people to help themselves” and “the ready help of friends to friends” remains at the heart of SSAFA’s ethos today.

Over the years, SSAFA has expanded its network and today there are branches of the association throughout the British Isles, the Republic of Ireland, Germany, Spain, Malta Cyprus and, since 2004, there has been one in France also. The basic entitlement to SSAFA support is to have served (and been paid) for 1 day’s service in the British armed forces, and that support extends to wives, widows/widowers and dependent families, and in some cases even after divorce. There is no membership or need to pay an annual subscription – if you have served, you are entitled to support – ‘one day’s pay for a lifetime of support’ being the current catchphrase.

Since it has hit the headlines, perhaps the best known current work of SSAFA is in the assistance being given to victims and their families as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan at the hospital at Selly Oak near Birmingham and the recuperation centre at Headley Court in Surrey. Less well-known is that SSAFA provides the medical contract service for the remaining British forces in Germany, and there is support for both serving and ex-service personnel wherever they may be, with some 7000 caseworkers worldwide. Prior to 2004, there was no formal organisation of SSAFA in France although there were a few caseworkers operating independently and working directly to London. It was clear that better co-ordination of SSAFA activity was necessary in France as the expatriate community expanded. A small fund-raising committee was established in Aquitaine to provide a readily disposable source of income for urgent needs, but this was soon eclipsed as the scale of the demand was realised both in Aquitaine and elsewhere in France. A full branch was established and in both 2005 and 2006 there were recruitment drives for helpers across France, and today there are some 60 qualified caseworkers in France together with an additional 40 or so helpers/visitors. The bulk of money which goes to clients is raised through almonisation with UK based military and civilian charities but there is still a need to raise funds in France for use locally in emergencies, and loyal volunteers in many parts of France do wonderful work in this vital area.

In general, there is now about one new case every week in France as the awareness of SSAFA’s existence spreads. It is not possible to discuss individual cases for obvious reasons but SSAFA France has dealt with a wide variety of problems ranging from house improvements and repairs, to assistance with mobility, schooling, debt, difficulties with EDF, France Telecom etc, repatriation, and the provision of work parties. Confidentiality is the key: SSAFA does not discuss individual cases and it protects the anonymity of both clients and caseworkers/helpers – the UK’s Data Protection Act applies in France also!

All casework is co-ordinated to ensure consistency of treatment, allocation of the best placed assistance and the most economic use of resources. Should you need assistance there are 2 ways of obtaining quick and confidential help: you can contact SSAFA France by telephone (nationwide answer service) on 05.53.01.64.54 or by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it both of which may be freely distributed. "