Armed forces community, events and support

We're proud of our armed forces community and we know the importance of having healthy relationships and being part of our wider communities. Browse our events to find activities to get involved with and see places where you can get help and support if you need it.

Armed Forces Walkway

Our Armed Forces Walkway is a space to remember our armed forces personnel. It's been created with the support of Barnsley College.

The walkway is on Westgate in the college gardens. It's a great place for families and friends to sit and think of those who have served and are serving.

You can find out how to apply for a stone on the Armed Forces Walkway webpage.

Activities, events and groups

There's a range of activities and events for our armed forces community. You'll be able to meet like-minded people of all ages and enjoy some social time. You'll also be able to make new friends and get involved in your community. Browse our activities and events to find a local group or activity to join.

Regular activities

Barnsley armed forces and veteran breakfast clubs

There are three armed forces and veteran's breakfast clubs that regularly meet in Barnsley:

Every Saturday	9:30am	The Manx Arms, 32 Sheffield Rd, Barnsley S70 1HP
Alternative Fridays	9:30am	140 Barnsley Road, Highgate, Rotherham, S63 9AP
First Saturday of the month	10am	Prince of Wales pub, High Street, Wombwell, S73 0DA
Date	Time	Where to meet

Find out more about the armed forces and veteran's breakfast clubs at Live Well Barnsley.

Royal British Legion meetings

Come along and join the Royal British Legion meetings for social, fundraising, and welfare activities.

Group	Date	Time	Where to meet
RBL Churchfield Branch	Every third Sunday in the month	12pm	Wilthorpe and Redbrook Community Centre, 184 Wilthorpe Road, Barnsley, S75 1JR
RBL Wombell and Darfield	Every second Sunday of the month	12pm	Wombwell Working Men's Club, S73 0AY

Deangate Care Home

Deangate care home has become the first in South Yorkshire to achieve Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) status, ensuring armed forces veterans living at the care home will benefit from enhanced care and support. They run regular veteran friendly activities and gatherings - find out more on the Deangate care home Facebook page.

Local groups

You can look at Live Well Barnsley and search for armed forces to find groups and services near you that are aimed at our armed forces community.

Barnsley FC Community Trust

Barnsley FC Community Trust run a programme for inactive adults over the age of 30. It aims to support men to make positive lifestyle changes and become more active. It also helps increase knowledge and skills about living a healthy life.

Let us know about an event

If you want to let us know about an armed forces event or activity that we can help promote for you, please complete our online form.

Tell us about an armed forces event

Bereavement support

Cruse Bereavement Care can offer support online or by visiting a nearby Cruse branch. You can also call the Cruse helpline.
The Independent Inquest Advice (IIA) service provide free legal advice to armed forces families. The service can help you with expert support at all stages of an investigation.
The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) offer support groups for families. They give you the chance to speak to a network of different people. Find out more about SSAFA support groups.
Scotty's Little Soldiers support children and young people who have lost a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
War Widows Association supports war widows with loneliness, isolation and signposting to wider support. Call them on 0845 241 2189.
Family Activity Breaks (FAB) provide fun and challenging activity holidays around the UK for UK bereaved military families.
The Army Welfare Service offers bereavement support for army serving personnel and their families.
Royal Navy Family and People support (RN FPS) offers practical and emotional advice and support for Royal Navy service personnel and their families.
RAF personal support and social work service (through SSAFA) offers bereavement support for RAF serving personnel and their families.
Veteran’s Welfare Service (part of Veterans UK) offer lifelong support to bereaved service families.
Royal Navy and Royal Marines Widows Association offer bereavement support to those whose spouse/recognised partner/parent was serving in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines at the time of their death.
Army Widows Association offer bereavement support to widows and widowers of servicemen and women.
RAF Widows Association offer bereavement support for those whose partner/spouse served in the RAF and died whilst serving.
Royal British Legion offer support for bereaved families. Visit their website or call 0808 802 8080 to access their support.

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA)

SSAFA is an armed forces charity. They provide life long support to those who are serving or have served in the forces. They also provide support to the families of those who have served or are serving.

They also offer a mentoring service to support those transitioning from military to civilian life. Find out more about transitional mentoring for service leavers.

You can call SSAFA South Yorkshire on 07483 214925 or 01226 289517. You can also email ross.waterlow@syorks.ssafa.org.uk. You can also contact the North East Regional hub contact Callum Crane on 020 4566 9117 or at callum.crane@ssafa.org.uk.

Find out more about SSAFA South Yorkshire.

Support for armed forces families

Working in the forces affects not only the person themselves, but also their family and children.

Families and children can be affected by:

mobility - moving from one place to another
interrupted learning - moving from one school to another and changing their learning style
anxiety - due to the serving person being away from home for long periods of time
isolation - family members can often feel isolated from parents and serving members
taking on extra responsibility - this may happen when a parent leaves for active duty.

Here are some services that may be able to help:

Childcare support

The Army Families Federation offers advice about:

how to register for day nurseries, nannies or childminders
childcare options
free early years education
moving schools

Veteran’s Gateway

Veteran's Gateway offers advice and information related to families’ transition from military to civilian life, together with further advice and signposting for veterans and their families. Visit their website or call 0808 802 1212 for more details.

Naval Families Federation

The Naval Families Federation offer information, advice, guidance, and support for Royal Navy and Royal Marine families. Call 02392 654374 or visit their website for more details.

Army Families Federation

The Army Families Federation offer advice, information, and signposting for Army families. Call 01264 554004 or visit their website for more details.

RAF Families Federation

The RAF Families Federation offer information, advice, guidance, and support for RAF families. Call 01780 781650 or visit their website for more details.

Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund offer support for spouses, partners, dependent children and carers of RAF serving personnel and veterans. Call 0300 102 1919 or visit their website or more details.

Army Benevolent Fund

The Army Benevolent Fund offer support for serving army army families. Call 020 7901 8900 or visit their website for more details.

Royal Navy Benevolent Fund

The Royal Navy Benevolent Fund offer financial assistance and support for navy families.

SSAFA

SSAFA supports families of all armed forces personnel and veterans and can offer immediate or long term support. Call 0800 260 6767 or visit their website for more details.

Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion supports families of armed forces personnel and veterans.

Blind Veterans UK

Blind Veterans UK offers support for carers and loved ones of blind veterans. Call 0300 111 22 33 or visit their website for more details.

The Army Welfare Service

The Army Welfare Service offer personal and community welfare support for serving army personnel and their families.

RAF personal support and social work service

The RAF personal support and social work service offers a range of personal services and support for RAF serving personnel and their families. This service is provided by SSAFA.

The Royal Air Forces Association

The RAF Association offer welfare advice and support for currently serving members of the RAF, RAF veterans, and their families. Call 0800 018 2361 or visit their website for more details.

Royal Navy Family and People support

The Royal Navy Family and People Support offer services for Royal Navy serving personnel and their families, helping to navigate the unique challenges of Navy life.

Help for Heroes

Help for Heroes offers practical and wellbeing support for veterans and their families.

Royal Marines Charity

The Royal Marines Charity offer transition, welfare, financial, wellbeing, employment, and education advice. They support both serving and retired Marines, and their families. Call 023 9298 1920 or visit their website for more details.

Veterans Outreach Project

The Veterans Outreach Project gives a voice for veterans across the county. It does this with the support of our local councils and by using their outreach trailer.

The outreach trailer is used to:

provide support to veterans and their families across the county
promote drop-in sessions and meet-ups in the region
support veterans to help them reach their goals

You can find out how you might be able to book the outreach trailer online.

Barnsley Family Hubs

Barnsley Family Hubs deliver services to help children, young people, and families. Visit Barnsley Virtual Family Hubs to find out more and explore what support and activities are on offer in your area.