The below information was sent, via email to all volunteers and staff across SSAFA, on 14 May 2026.
To: all volunteers, employees and trustees
Dear colleagues,
Focus: Introducing the new Branch Handbook
We’re delighted to share the launch of our new Branch Handbook, which is now available through the Volunteer Knowledgebase.
The handbook has been developed to bring together key guidance, support resources and practical information for branch volunteers and employees in one central location, helping colleagues more easily find the information needed. You can follow this link or click the button below to access the new Branch Handbook.
Access the new Branch Handbook
What is included in the handbook?
The handbook brings together a wide range of information and guidance relevant to branch volunteering across SSAFA, including:
- Volunteer onboarding, roles, and safety
- Key contacts, regional support roles and practical resources
- Training, wellbeing and volunteer development
- Community engagement guidance and support
- Fundraising guidance and policies
- Wider SSAFA welfare and specialist services
- Governance, safeguarding and volunteer policies
It also brings together many existing resources already available, making them easier to find in one place for branch volunteers and for those working closely with branches in their day-to-day operations.
A regularly maintained resource
The handbook is designed to be a practical and evolving resource for everyone across the network. We’ll continue to add additional guidance, resources and support materials as they become available.
Regular updates and improvements will ensure colleagues can always find relevant, up-to-date information in one central place. You might also find it helpful to bookmark the page, so it’s easy to come back to whenever you need it.
Your region’s Community Engagement Managers (CEMs) will continue supporting branches in using this handbook and signposting colleagues to relevant guidance and resources where needed.
As we launch this new resource, please note that the previous Branches section on the homepage of Volunteer Knowledgebase will be retired shortly. This ensures that everyone across SSAFA is looking at the same, most up-to-date information. Thank you for your continued support.
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.
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.
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 in 2026 and in 2025.
If you have further questions, please contact the NDP team: [email protected].
Many thanks,
Kett McAfee, Welfare Operations Project Manager