SSAFA Plymouth Serving Community Team

08/06/2026

Armed Forces Day is just around the corner. Show your support for serving personnel,
veterans and their families with SSAFA’s Armed Forces Day collection

Every purchase supports SSAFA’s work with the Armed Forces community across the UK
and overseas.

Shop the collection:
shop.ssafa.org.uk/collections/armed-forces-day

07/06/2026

As Volunteers’ Week 2026 comes to a close, we want to say one more heartfelt THANK YOU.

To every SSAFA volunteer, you inspire us every day with your compassion and commitment.

This week may be ending, but your impact continues all year round.

05/06/2026

Prison in reach volunteers support members of the Armed Forces community who are in prison. They make a real difference by providing essential support during these incredibly
difficult times.

Here’s some wonderful feedback given to one of our in-reach volunteers:
‘Thanks Trevor, for your time and help. I’m nervous but also confident I have everything in
place to rebuild my life. Thank you for all your support, emails and visits whilst I’ve been at
HMP Aylesbury’.

Here’s another received by a volunteer supporting an Armed Forces veteran in prison in
Northern Ireland: ‘Without SSAFA in here I don't know what I would have done’.

Thank you so much to our amazing volunteers for all they do!

05/06/2026

Join us in showing your appreciation for SSAFA’s volunteers this Volunteers’ Week!

Why not offer a short message of thanks to SSAFA's brilliant volunteers, helping to celebrate their dedication and passion for helping others this Volunteers’ Week?

Take part here: ssaf.as/volunteersweekthankyou

05/06/2026

Mark Armed Forces Day 2026 with SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, by taking on our
iconic in London on Saturday 27 June.

Bring your friends, family, colleagues (and even the dogs) for a 10-mile walk from Trinity
Square Gardens to Battersea Park, following the River Thames and crossing 13 of the
capital’s famous bridges along the way.

A brilliant day out for all ages and abilities, packed with history, culture and community
spirit.

fundraise.ssafa.org.uk/event/13-bridges-challenge-2026

27/05/2026

Ultra – Flash sale – 20% off registration fees** **

Have you got what it takes to conquer the oldest path in Britain? The Ridgeway has been walked for over 5,000 years. Can you follow in our ancestor drovers' footsteps and walk or run this stunning path for 50 or 100km on the weekend of 11-12 July?

You have one or two days to complete the course from Lewknor on Oxfordshire to the prehistoric Avebury Stones in Wiltshire, with a basecamp at Wantage, and there’s 20 per cent off the registration fee until the end of May.

This is a fully supported event with a great campsite and pit-stops, making it one of the most popular Ultra Marathons ever. It’s an ideal starter Ultra and you really can do it at a walk… but if you are super-fit, it’s one of the most competitive Ultras in the UK too – hang on to your PBs!

For full details go to https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us/events/ultra/race-to-the-stones-2026/

22/05/2026

22/05/2026

Today I had the great privilege of attending the HMS Raleigh Passing Out Parade as a VIP guest of Captain Jeremy Ussher RN, Commanding Officer of HMS Raleigh, and his wife Sally Ussher. I was honoured to be invited to Trevol House for lunch before witnessing such a proud and moving occasion alongside my guest, Nikki Durnell, SSAFA’s Serving Community Development Officer.

The Parade inspections of Gould Division were carried out by Lord Simon Stevens of Birmingham, Honorary Captain of the Royal Navy, making the occasion even more distinguished and memorable.

For every sailor standing on that parade ground today, this marks far more than the end of 10 weeks of training. It represents resilience, teamwork, discipline, sacrifice, and the beginning of a journey that will shape the rest of their lives. Watching the recruits march onto the parade square with such pride and professionalism was a powerful reminder of the commitment required to serve in the Royal Navy.

As a former Royal Navy Medical Assistant myself, days like today hold an even deeper meaning. There is something incredibly special about witnessing the moment recruits officially become part of the Royal Navy family. The emotion felt by families, friends, instructors and the recruits themselves is impossible to put fully into words.

I also found myself reflecting on how volunteering with SSAFA Plymouth’s Serving Community Team has opened doors to opportunities and experiences that I will remember forever. To stand alongside those who dedicate their lives to supporting and developing the next generation of sailors was truly humbling, and I am incredibly grateful for the invitation and warm hospitality shown throughout the day.

To all those passing out today — congratulations. You should be immensely proud of what you have achieved. Fair winds and following seas as you begin the next chapter of your naval careers.

And to those just beginning their training journey at HMS Raleigh — keep going. The challenges you face today are building the strength, courage and camaraderie that will carry you throughout your careers and beyond.

Thank you again to Captain Jeremy Ussher RN, Sally Ussher, and everyone at HMS Raleigh for such a memorable day. ⚓

Kerry-leigh Branch Chairman

20/05/2026

19/05/2026

Hundreds of pounds have been raised locally to support the work of SSAFA, The Armed Forces Charity in Plymouth, by keen local golfers. In perfect conditions, 55 players in 14 teams enjoyed the charms and challenges of Yelverton Golf Club on Friday, 15th May, for the annual charity golf day, organised by SSAFA, The Armed Forces charity’s volunteers in Plymouth and raised £940 to help local service personnel, veterans and their families. The winning team took away the first prize of a fourball generously donated by Bude and North Cornwall Golf Club. The raffle was generously supported by many individual donors, as well as Scania, which donated a pack of various materials. Colin Stockman, the organiser, said: “Thanks to the generosity of Yelverton Golf Club and local supporters of our charity, we have had a good day’s golf with the added benefit of raising funds to enable SSAFA to continue to support serving personnel, veterans and their families in our city in their time of need.”
SSAFA in Plymouth is always keen to encourage new volunteers to help the branch continue its good work in the community.🏌🏼🏌️‍♀️⛳️