The below information was sent, via email to all volunteers and staff across SSAFA, on 9 January 2026.
To: all volunteers, employees and trustees
Dear colleagues,
Focus: 2026 - Network Delivery Project (NDP) in practice
We hope you had a restful festive break and feel recharged as we step into 2026.
To kick off the year, our Director of Welfare Operations, Julie McCarthy, invites you to a Network Delivery Project (NDP) in Action Virtual Town Hall on 19 and 21 January. The two sessions will cover the same content, with some variations depending on speaker availability – please join the one that suits you best. Since our initial invitation on 4 December, many of you have already signed up. If you haven’t yet, please register using this link or the button below.
Shifting focus: From transition to practice
The NDP model is swiftly becoming the standard way we work at SSAFA, with over half of our regions fully transitioned and the remaining regions already adopting elements of the model wherever possible. In 2026, we are focused on completing this national picture, beginning with the South West (transitioning from 2 Feb) and the North East (transitioning from 9 Feb). By the end of June, every branch in England, Scotland and Wales will be operating under this unified model, with Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and our overseas branches adopting all possible elements.
What to expect from the Town Hall this month
As the model is now active across much of the UK, this session moves beyond project updates to provide a 'live' look at our integrated services. We have invited volunteers and employees from across our network to share real-life examples of how they collaborate as one team. The Town Hall will include:
- Opening Remarks: Working as "One SSAFA" - Julie McCarthy, Director of Welfare Operations, sets the scene for 2026.
- Community Engagement in Focus: One of our dedicated Community Engagement Volunteers (CEV) and their Community Engagement Manager (CEM) discuss how expert support is turning local ideas into impactful community action.
- Enhancing Your Experience: The Volunteer Experience (VE) team unveils new support tools launching soon, including a helpdesk ticketing system and the improvement of the telephone support line.
- The Casework Partnership: A live conversation with one of our volunteers on the close collaboration between caseworkers and regional offices.
- Specialist Services Spotlight: Real-life examples from the Serving Community Teams (SCT) on working collaboratively across the network.
- Raising our Profile: Our volunteer(s) and their Regional Marcomms Manager (RMM) share how local initiatives, from Christmas hampers to war grave adoptions, are achieving positive media coverage.
- Q&A Session: An opportunity to ask questions you have in mind.
Choose the session that suits you best:
- Monday, 19 January: 1800 – 1915
- Wednesday, 21 January: 1100 – 1215
Register here to help us plan. You are also welcome to join on the day, even if you haven’t had a chance to register in advance. Joining details will be shared with everyone in advance, via email. For those unable to attend, the session will be recorded and shared afterwards.
Understanding our regional roles and collaboration
To help everyone navigate our unified model, we have developed a new SSAFA Regional Roles: Responsibilities and Collaboration Overview guide. The infographic provides a breakdown of how our regional employees work together to support volunteers and branches. Click here to know more.
Where can I get more information?
NEW as of NOVEMBER 2025 - The Vision for Community Engagement in Branches document was developed following feedback from across the network and outlines the approach for increasing our reach, promoting understanding of our work, and building resilience.
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 engagement 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].
Many thanks,
Kett McAfee, Welfare Operations Project Manager