Leisure

Royal Marines Association

The Royal Marines Association supports all Marines and their families from cadets through to service leavers moving back into civilian life. The Association provides support and activities with other former Marines, the opportunity to mentor new Marines and practical support. There are several branches across Devon.
Visit: royalmarinesassociation.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RMAOPS

Royal Signals Association

The Association exists to provide comfort and relief to past and present signallers and their dependants who are in need, hardship or distress. They are also a way of maintaining friendship and morale.
Visit: www.royalsignals.org/rsa
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/royalsignalsassociation

Coldstream Guards Association

The Association exists to provide support for anyone who has served as a Coldstream Guard. They can help with some financial assistance, support to find employment and have regular meetings and events.
Visit: www.coldstreamguards.org.uk/association.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/coldstreamguards

Officers’ Association

The Officers’ Association can offer professional, impartial and practical help and advice to help ex-officers build their next career.
Visit: www.officersassociation.org.uk/employment/

The Regimental Association of the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment

Membership is open to anyone who has served with The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, its antecedent Regiments and members of the successor Regiment – The Rifles. The association helps members stay in contact and attend social events, share information and access welfare and support when needed.
Phone: 01392 492435
Visit: www.devondorsetregiment.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DevonDorsetAssociation?nr
Old Comrades Forum: www.d-doldcomrades.net/login

Forces Reunited

The largest British Armed Forces Community on the web with over a million members. A place to find friends from your service with free services such as our forums, military news, photo gallery and more.
Visit: www.forcesreunited.co.uk

Veterans Peer Support

A trained peer support outreach service for Veterans and family members. They also run free coffee drop-ins around Devon where veterans and family members of any age or background can get together to chat and share experiences in an informal, social way.
Phone: 07522 973236
Email: vpsadmin@btinternet.com
Visit: www.veteranspeersupport.co.uk

Help for Heroes Band of Brothers

The Help for Heroes Band of Brothers (BoB) offers life-long support and opportunities to those suffering from life-changing injury or illness. You can access days out, events and holidays through Band of Brothers.
Phone: 01980 844280
Email: bandofbrothers@helpforheroes.org.uk
Visit: devon.cc/h4hbob

Band of Sisters

The Help for Heroes Band of Sisters network is open to loved ones, both male and female, who care for those who have suffered a life-changing injury or illness while in service.
Visit: devon.cc/h4hbandofsisters

HMS Heroes

A national support group for the children of Service men and women and their relatives. As a network of after-school clubs, HMS Heroes brings together members of Service families aged between three and 18 years old from all over the country. Over 50 schools in Devon and Plymouth are part of HMS Heroes.
Visit: www.plymouthcurriculum.swgfl.org.uk/hmsheroes

The Warrior Program

The Warrior Programme runs residential programmes in the South West for veterans and adult family members.
Visit: www.warriorprogramme.org.uk

Mediation and counselling services

Adapting to civilian and family life after a period in the armed forces can be complicated. Many ex-forces families experience difficulties and there are services available which will understand the issues and offer support.

Mediation services in Devon: devon.cc/devonmediation

Directory of counselling services: devon.cc/counsellingdevon

Cruse

Following a bereavement Cruse can provide information and support to military families.
Phone: 0844 477 9400
Visit: www.cruse.org.uk

The Wave Project

Located in North Devon and across the UK, The Wave Project for young people (between 8 and 21 years old) provides support to overcome anxiety and improve emotional health. These are surf course that make people feel calmer and more motivated.
Visit: www.waveproject.co.uk

Gyms

There are a range of leisure centres with gym and swim facilities across Devon. Some have specific equipment to support people with additional physical needs. Contact your local centre to find out what they have available.
Visit: devon.cc/leisurecentres

Surf Action

Surf Action is a charity dedicated to supporting military veterans including TA and reservists and their families, especially those affected by PTSD and physical injuries or struggling to re-adjust to civilian life. They provide a community, a place to share experiences and support to move forward. They run a range of projects including surf clinics, residential camps and a buddy system.
Phone: 01736 365645
Visit: www.surfaction.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/surfaction.co.uk

Help for Heroes Sports Recovery

Help for Heroes run three distinct pathways within the Sports Recovery programme which include a Recreational Pathway, an Employment, Education and Training Pathway and the Performance Pathway. They fund opportunities for veterans to take part in around 50 different sports.
Email: sportsrecovery@helpforheroes.org.uk
Visit: www.helpforheroes.org.uk/sports-recovery

Plymouth sport and leisure facilities

Plymouth’s sport and leisure facilities offer a wide range of activities, including the Plymouth Life Centre which has a 150 station fitness suite, a 50m swimming pool, a family leisure pool, a 12-court sports hall an 8-lane indoor bowls rink and a large indoor climbing facility.
Visit:www.plymouth.gov.uk/sportsfacilities

Plymouth’s Sports Development Unit

The Unit co-ordinates a variety of free and low-cost opportunities to participate in sports and physical activity across the city including beginner running, back to netball and community tennis. They can also provide information on local sports clubs and facilities.
Phone: 01752 307008
Email: sportsdev@plymouth.gov.uk
Visit: www.plymouth.gov.uk/getactive
Twitter: @sportplymouth

Bravo 22 Company – Royal British Legion

Bravo 22 Company is The Royal British Legion’s Recovery through Theatre Programme based in Plymouth. Taking part can allow you to meet new people, learn new skills and boost your confidence.
Phone: 01752 230379
Visit: devon.cc/bravo22

Family Holiday Breaks – Royal British Legion

The Legion provides families of ex-service personnel the chance to take a break and get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life. Only certain families are eligible – check the website to see if you can apply for the scheme.
Visit: www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/social-support/family-holiday-breaks

Hush Farms

Hush Farms provides time out in a rural environment for people who are going through a period of change or who want to learn new skills and gain confidence. Hush Farms is based in East Devon and works with veterans and their families.
Phone: 01404 549515
Email: info@hushfarms.co.uk
Visit: www.hushfarms.co.uk

Running Deer CIC

Running Deer provides access to training, volunteering, life skills opportunities and work experience in rural skills, bushcraft and survival, and therapeutic horticulture.
Visit: runningdeer.org.uk

Farm-able Project

Social farming and rural skills projects supporting veterans and emergency service personnel to recover from trauma-related conditions.
Visit: www.farmable.co.uk

The Not Forgotten Association

The Not Forgotten Association is a national charity which provides entertainment, leisure and recreation for the serving wounded, injured or sick and for ex-service men and women with disabilities. This is through a programme of activities including outings, concerts, holidays, events and by providing televisions and TV licences.
Phone: 020 7730 2400
Visit: www.nfassociation.org

Countryside Mobility

Countryside Mobility enables you to access outdoors areas easily through all terrain scooters which are available for hire at many outdoor visitor attractions across Devon.
Visit: www.countrysidemobility.org