We're proud of our armed forces community. We know the importance of healthy relationships and being part of our wider communities.
Armed Forces Walkway
Our Armed Forces Walkway is a space to remember our armed forces personnel. It's been created with 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.
Bereavement support
- Cruse Bereavement Care can offer support online or by visiting a nearby branch. You can also call their 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. Find out more about the IIA.
- 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 0845 2412189.
- 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.
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Royal Navy Family and People support (RN FPS) practical and emotional advice and support for Royal Navy service personnel and their families.
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RAF personal support and social work service (through SSAFA) offers bereavement support for RAF serving personnel and their families.
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Veteran’s Welfare Service (part of Veterans UK) lifelong support to bereaved service families.
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Royal Navy and Royal Marines Widows Association – bereavement support to those whose spouse/recognised partner/parent was serving in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines at the time of their death.
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Army Widows Association bereavement support to widows and widowers of servicemen and women.
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RAF Widows Association bereavement support for those whose partner/spouse served in the RAF and died whilst serving.
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Royal British Legion support for bereaved families. Visit their website or call 0808 802 8080.
Events
See our celebrate and support our armed forces community page for details of how you can get involved with armed forces events in your local area. 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.
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.
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
Offers advice and information related to families’ transition from military to civilian life. Together with further advice and signposting for veterans and their families. Call 0808 802 1212 or visit Veteran's Gateway.
Little Troopers
Support and advice for parents and families. This is to deal with specific and unique challenges of being an armed forces family. Visit Little Troopers.
Naval Families Federation
Information, advice, guidance, and support for Royal Navy and Royal Marine families. Call 02392 654374 or visit Naval Families Federation.
Army Families Federation
Advice, information, and signposting for Army families. Call 01264 554004 or visit Army Families Federation.
RAF Families Federation
Information, advice, guidance, and support for RAF families. Call 01780 781650 or visit RAF Families Federation.
Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
Support for spouses, partners, dependent children and carers of RAF serving personnel and veterans. Call 0300 102 1919 or visit Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.
Army Benevolent Fund
Support for serving army army families. Call 020 7901 8900 or visit Army Benevolent Fund.
Royal Navy Benevolent Fund
Financial assistance and support for navy families. Visit Royal Navy Benevolent Fund.
SSAFA
Supports families of all armed forces personnel and veterans. Offering immediate or long term support. Call 0800 260 6767 or visit SSAFA.
Royal British Legion
Supports families of armed forces personnel and veterans. Visit Royal British Legion.
Blind Veterans UK
Support for carers and loved ones of blind veterans. Call 0300 111 22 33 or visit Blind Veterans UK.
The Army Welfare Service
Personal and community welfare support for Army serving personnel and their families. They offer a range of personal support services including help with personal development opportunities for military personnel and their families. Visit Army Welfare Service.
RAF personal support and social work service
Support for RAF serving personnel and their families, provided by SSAFA . Offering a range of personal services. Visit RAF personal support and social work service.
The Royal Air Forces Association
Welfare advice and support for currently serving members of the RAF, RAF veterans, and their families. Call 0800 018 2361 or visit RAF Association.
Royal Navy Family and People support
Support for Royal Navy serving personnel and their families. Helping to navigate the unique challenges of Navy life. Visit Royal Navy Family and People Support.
Help for Heroes
Practical and wellbeing support for veterans and their families. Visit Help for Heroes.
Royal Marines Charity
Transition, welfare, financial, wellbeing, employment, and education advice. Support for serving and retired Marines, and their families. Call 023 9298 1920 or visit Royal Marines Charity.
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.
Welcoming Afghanistan refugees to Barnsley
We’re welcoming Afghan families to Barnsley. We're making sure they feel supported as they start to build their lives in the UK.
Read more about how we're helping Afghan families and where to find details of how you can help.