Welcome to the November edition of the SSAFA Community Engagement Bulletin
This monthly bulletin has been created to bring together updates and information about Community Engagement. It is a space to help us stay connected as One community and One SSAFA.
Each month you might expect to find:
- Network news and updates from across Community Engagement.
- Examples of great practice from branches, volunteers and staff.
- Upcoming events and opportunities to get involved.
- Resources, guidance and tools to support your role.
- Success stories and impact highlights demonstrating the difference our community engagement activities make.
- Spotlights on innovative projects and partnerships from around the network.
Whether you're a volunteer or member of staff, we hope this bulletin helps you stay informed, inspired and connected, while showcasing the fantastic work being delivered in support of our four Community Engagement pillars: Support, Belonging, Connection and Fundraising.
Thank you for everything you do to strengthen SSAFA's presence in communities across the UK and overseas. We hope you enjoy this month's bulletin.
Don’t miss our next Meet the Teams session!
Meet the Teams takes place on the last Thursday of every month, giving volunteers the chance to hear directly from teams across SSAFA. Keep an eye on GoAssemble for upcoming invitations.
📅 Next session: Thursday 26 November 2026
🕑 2pm
👥 Meet Forcesline
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 🎅
With the festive season just around the corner, we’ve wrapped up some new Christmas guidance to help branches spread a little extra cheer in their local communities. Whether you’re planning hampers, a festive meal, a trip to the panto or simply looking for ways to bring volunteers together, our Operation Christmas Cheer guidance is here to help.
So before you get too wrapped up in the festivities, take a few minutes to have a look at the new guidance and make sure your Christmas plans are good to go! You can find it all in the Branch Handbook Operation Christmas Cheer | Branch handbook | SSAFA Volunteer Knowledgebase There will also be some new additions to this section in the coming weeks so keep an eye out for future updates.
And if you are anything like the Community Engagment Managers, you will be heading over to the SSAFA Shop to pick up some SSAFA inspired decorations in time for Christmas.🎄🎁
Working together at local events - Face-to-face fundraising in your region
Face-to-face fundraising and branch Community Engagement offer people different ways to connect with and support SSAFA. Our updated guidance explains how the two can work alongside each other at local events, helping us coordinate activity, strengthen relationships and increase SSAFA’s reach and impact.
Face-to-face fundraising in your region | Branch handbook | SSAFA Volunteer Knowledgebase
GoAssemble Email Notifications
Did you know you can choose how often you receive email notifications from GoAssemble?
By default, GoAssemble sends an automated notification to a user's registered personal email address whenever they receive a new message in the GA Message Centre. This helps remind users to log in and check their messages.
If a GA user is receiving too many notifications, they can adjust their preferences to receive them once a day or once a week instead of after every message. For further guidance on how to make this change follow the below link.
GoAssemble Feedback Loop
Thank you to everyone who took part in the recent GoAssemble Feedback Loop Survey, which closed on 15 October. Responses are now being reviewed alongside other operational information to identify key themes and areas for further exploration.
A reminder that GoAssemble specific user guides can be found in the volunteer knowledgebase here: GoAssemble User Guides | SSAFA Volunteer Knowledgebase
Veterans, stories, medals – and a cuppa at the Royal Armouries
SSAFA West Yorkshire branch spent a special morning at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.The Royal Armouries hosted the gathering, giving veterans and guests the opportunity to enjoy a fascinating tour of the museum, with experts on hand to share their knowledge and bring the collections to life.
Oxfordshire branch support Army artist to exhibit work in aid of SSAFA
Yesterday, the Oxfordshire branch was out supporting Lance Corporal Annor at his art exhibition, where his oil paintings were displayed. He has already raised £450, with all proceeds from sales going to SSAFA.
Thank you to our volunteers from the Oxfordshire branch for supporting the exhibition. A lovely example of connections being built in the community while helping to raise vital funds and awareness.
Remember to keep your Community Engagement Manager up to date with events and activities in your Branch so they can be featured in the next Bulletin!
If you have any feedback, questions or comments about anything in this months Bulletin please dont hesitate to get in touch - you can either reach out to your Regional Community Engagmenet Manager directly or reach the Community Engagement Team via our mail box [email protected]
Thank you for everything you do to strengthen communities, support beneficiaries and champion SSAFA across the UK and overseas.