The stable core of our SSAFA community has always been centred around our branch network of volunteers – a group of people who are passionate about what we do, embody our values, and have a desire to get together to support people in their local areas. Over many years, the branches have built a strong reputation for the charity, drawing people towards us who need support, and connecting people to us who can help the charity meet its mission.

We are a big charity. SSAFA has an international presence with a wide reach, delivering welfare support to a vast number of people within the armed forces community both in the UK and overseas. We are very proud of our large-scale international footprint, which has been carefully built up over many generations.

Being a big charity is a good thing. However, having a local SSAFA network of branches on the ground, is one of our most important unique selling points as a charity. A big charity is only as effective as its ability to connect with people. A community-based presence enables people to connect to our work in a meaningful way in their own areas, right at home where they live and work. 

As they always have been, SSAFA’s branches are a key pillar of the organisation, providing a vital local SSAFA presence in our communities.

The branches have three main aims for delivering community engagement:

1.       Branches draw people towards our services when they need our support.

2.       Branches connect supporters who are eager to help the armed forces community.

3.       Branches provide a sense of belonging to all who volunteer for SSAFA, work for SSAFA, and interact with us.

Our branches exemplify our charity vision - a society where the armed forces, veterans, and their families can thrive. As true ambassadors for our work and active community connectors, they are making this vision a reality in their own communities.