The below information was sent, via email to all volunteers and staff across SSAFA, on 6 November 2025.
To: all volunteers, employees and trustees
Dear colleagues,
Focus: Network Delivery Project (NDP) rollout progress and plans for early 2026
As 2025 draws to a close, our NDP rollout continues to progress. The first West Midlands branches have transitioned this week and by the end of the year the West Midlands, East of England, South East and London, Wales and the East Midlands will have fully integrated into the NDP model.
We are grateful for everyone’s support in ensuring these transitions have been smooth and successful.
The South West and North East will be the first regions to migrate in 2026.
When is this happening in the South West and North East regions?
Each region’s transition will take place gradually, ensuring everyone is well informed and prepared.
- Transition dates for the South West: W/C 19 January 2026 - W/C 2 March 2026
- Transition dates for the North East: W/C 9 February 2026 - W/C 23 March 2026
I’m a volunteer in the South West/North East, when will I get more information?
Your branch chair and regional manager will share detailed information and timelines with you. In addition, we have arranged region-specific face-to-face and virtual briefings, throughout November, which you should have received an invitation to already.
- For volunteers in the South West, you can still join the virtual briefing on Tuesday, 11 November 1430 – 1630. Joining details will be shared with all South West volunteers one day before the session.
- For volunteers in the North East, you can register for the briefing by following this link.
Additionally, every volunteer will receive email updates at set points during transition – four weeks, two weeks and one day prior to your migration over to our Volunteer Management System (VMS) GoAssemble. Those affected by Office (O)365 closures will also receive an additional two-week reminder, before their account is closed.
What will I need to do?
Plans are nothing without people, and none of this can happen without the continued support and dedication of you all, our vital volunteers and employees. The Project team and your regional employee teams will be in touch with relevant preparation plans, depending on your role and branch.
For now, we just ask that you keep an eye on your inbox for updates and take some time to read the information that is available using the links below. You can sign up for GoAssemble training at a time most convenient to you, however we recommend choosing a session close to your transition date. That will ensure everything is fresh in your mind when you receive your GoAssemble log in details.
Introducing new reference resources for all colleagues
As part of our ongoing efforts to support and facilitate internal communications, we are introducing two new resources:
1. Meet Your Regional team pack
This pack provides an overview of national resources and the key personnel in each region. Its purpose is to put faces to names, help you identify the right contacts for guidance, and build connections across SSAFA.
- Branch volunteers can access the pack by following this link.
- Caseworkers can access the pack using this link.
2. Welfare Operations Services Overview pack
This pack provides an overview of the services SSAFA offers, highlighting how different teams and roles contribute to supporting beneficiaries across the organisation. It also includes key contacts and guidance on how to refer beneficiaries to specialist welfare services teams when additional support is needed. You can access the pack by following this link.
Where can I get more information?
The NDP Frequently Asked Questions document covers a range of topics addressing questions raised during and since the trials.
The Volunteer Knowledgebase is accessible to all volunteers and employees and contains detailed information on processes and procedures for all volunteer activities.
NDP Information Hub on SSAFAnet and the NDP Information Hub on the Volunteer Knowledgebase both provide a variety of information on NDP – including caseworker and community feedback videos, Town Hall presentations, transition guidance and copies of past updates.
If you have further questions, please contact the NDP Project team: [email protected]*.
*For GoAssemble (GA) users, please copy and paste any email addresses supplied into a GA message to send a query.
Many thanks,
Kett McAfee, Welfare Operations Project Manager
P.S. Volunteers can enjoy a 30% discount on our wide range of SSAFA Christmas Cards from the SSAFA Shop. Follow this link to learn more.