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: Introducing the Branch Vision
We’re pleased to share an update on SSAFA’s Branch Vision, developed following feedback from volunteers and employees on the draft Community Engagement Strategy. This internal paper sets out the direction of travel for our branches and builds on our shared goals, with a focus on increasing community engagement, raising awareness, and strengthening our network’s resilience. The Branch Vision was shared at the Volunteer Conference 2025 on 18 November, and you can download the presentation and watch the conference recording by following this link or clicking on the button below:
Volunteer Conference 2025: Project updates and insights
Why a ‘Branch Vision’ and what does it cover?
The Branch Vision reflects the feedback we received from colleagues, to provide a clearer and more relevant foundation for branches. It outlines the goals, principles, and stakeholder groups that guide branch activity, but does not prescribe detailed guidance, as each branch operates within its own context and local plans will naturally differ. A wider, SSAFA-wide Community Engagement Strategy will follow in due course.
Key points at a glance
Goal: SSAFA’s branch network will be empowered and strategically aligned, working collaboratively to extend SSAFA’s reach through community engagement, while building trust and raising awareness of our services.
Aims:
- Increasing our reach through community engagement.
- Promoting understanding of our work through compelling information.
- Building resilience by strengthening our community of support.
Support available: Each region’s Community Engagement Manager (CEM) will work with branches to develop local plans and stakeholder analyses.
Thank you for your continued commitment and dedication. Your feedback continues to shape how we move forward together.
Have you met your regional team?
Get to know the people supporting you across SSAFA – the Meet Your Regional Team packs help put a face to a name. Many colleagues have also shared what motivates them to be part of SSAFA, and their reflections may be similar to your own or offer a different perspective on what inspires us to support our beneficiaries each day.
- Branch volunteers can access the pack by following this link.
- Caseworkers can access the pack using this link.
If you want an overview of the wide range of services SSAFA offers, including key contacts and guidance on referring beneficiaries to specialist welfare services teams, the Welfare Operations Services Overview pack is available here for all colleagues.
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.