First, SSAFA (formerly the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association), provides lifelong support to those who are serving or who have ever served in the British Army, Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force, and their families. This includes both Regulars and Reserves and anyone who has completed National Service.

SSAFA can give practical, emotional and financial support for you and your family . The range of what can be offered is wide and includes Care Homes, Additional Needs Support, Healthcare, Housing Assistance and Respite Care. Through their network of trained volunteers and professional staff they can assess your needs and refer you to a caseworker who will look at what support may be available. The Avon and Severnside Branch can be contacted on 0117 9638082, however, depending on where you live you may be redirected to a more local branch to you. Or visit the website at www.ssafa.org.uk

Secondly, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I ), helps people of limited means in time of financial need. They help working farmers and farmworkers in emergencies, for example following illness, accident, bereavement, family breakdown , or animal disease, and offer long-term help to elderly and/or disabled people who have been farmworkers.

Support includes one-off or regular grants, as well as payment for things like lifeline alarms, mobility aids, essential household goods, and temporary labour. In addition they run residential homes, help with home-help costs and residential home fees , and their Gateway project helps people to develop skills to supplement their income through training grants.

You can call their freephone helpline on 0300 3037373. Or take a look at their website at www.rabi.org.uk

If you would like to have a chat about something that you may wish to refer to either of the above , do feel free to contact Lyndsay Newman, your Village Agent on 07552 206848 or 01275 333700. Or email me at lyndsay@wern.org.uk