SSAFA Woodbridge Serving Community Team

16/01/2026

SSAFA Short Breaks are free, residential activity breaks for families currently serving in the Armed Forces who have a child (aged 5–18) with an additional need and/or disability.

Applications are open now for the 2026 break! More info below ⤵️

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity Short Breaks are free, residential activity breaks for families currently serving in the Armed Forces who have a child (aged 5–18) with an additional need and/or disability.

These breaks offer families a chance to spend quality time together, enjoy inclusive activities, and build confidence and resilience.

Who Can Apply?

• Families with children aged 5–18, where at least one child has an additional need and/or disability.
• Children must be dependents of a current serving person or reservist.
• At least one parent must attend the break.
• Families must not have attended a SSAFA Short Break in the last five years.

Two-Stage Application Process

This year, SSAFA is introducing a two-stage application process for Short Breaks applications. We will prioritise families where the need is greatest. This assessment helps us understand your situation and make sure support is offered fairly and where it can have the most impact.

Every family deserves access to support that reflects their lived reality. For military families with children who have additional needs and disabilities, that support must be flexible, respectful, and emotionally safe. This assessment helps us understand what that looks like for you and your family and helps us determine if SSAFA’s Short Breaks can meet that need at this time, when considered in relation to other applications.

Stage 1 – Basic Eligibility

Families complete an online form to confirm they meet the core criteria. Only those who pass Stage 1 will be invited to Stage 2.

Stage 2 – Assessment of Family Need

Eligible families complete a self-assessment, which is supported by an assessment tool to prioritise applications based on need. This stage asks about:
• Child’s education, development, and behaviour
• Family circumstances (financial status, caregiving, support systems, parental needs, statutory assistance, and military-specific challenges)

Applications close on Friday 30 January 2026 for Stage 1. See link in comments below for more information and to apply.

30/10/2025

Tune-in to the BBC Radio 4 Appeal to find out from adventurer and former Royal Navy Reservist Ben Fogle how you can help SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity support our Armed Forces family, so they never battle alone.

Ben Fogle makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of SSAFA, the armed forces charity.

29/10/2025

🎄This Christmas, spread cheer with SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity's exclusive shop items! Browse the full collection now at https://ssaf.as/xmasshop25

10/10/2025

🎄This Christmas, spread cheer with SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity's exclusive cards, available from the SSAFA Shop now at https://ssaf.as/xmascards2025

Why you’ll love them?
• Printed in the UK using eco-friendly, sustainable materials
• Biodegradable, recyclable, compostable - kind to the planet!

[NB. A 30% branch discount is available to all SSAFA volunteers who are buying products that they intend to use to fundraise for SSAFA, please email [email protected] for details.]

09/10/2025

Thank you to all those that came to the hall today to support us and a very special thanks for all the cake contributions, without you we couldn’t have raised the vital funds to support our community.

We will be supporting the Be Well Bus again on 4th December, see you there 😁🙏

09/10/2025

SSAFA is set up in the Alan Crompton Community Hall. Come along for coffee and cake today 0915-1315

01/10/2025

Could you make a real difference in the heart of the active military community in your area?

We're looking for passionate, committed individuals to join our SSAFA Woodbridge Serving Community Team (SCT) to help support the local Armed Forces community and their families.

Volunteering for SSAFA is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, and whether you have a few hours a month or can dedicate more time, there’s a role for you.

No experience? No problem! We provide role specific training as well as ongoing support.

Take a look at all available volunteer positions and apply via the links below ⤵ or contact [email protected]

◾ Woodbridge SCT Community Volunteer - https://volunteer.ssafa.org.uk/opportunities/90500-sct-community-volunteer-woodbridge-2025-06-03
◾ Woodbridge SCT Community Connection Champion - https://volunteer.ssafa.org.uk/opportunities/90499-sct-community-connection-champion-woodbridge-2025-06-03
◾ Woodbridge SCT Fundraising Volunteer - https://volunteer.ssafa.org.uk/opportunities/90495-sct-fundraising-volunteer-woodbridge-2025-06-03

A Serving Community Team is run by a small team of volunteers who provide emotional, practical and financial support to the serving community. Fundraising Volunteers help support local fundraising activities to raise vital funds for the SCT.

01/10/2025

Calling all bakers! Thursday 9th October.

We would really appreciate cake donations to support the Wellbeing Bus visit to Sutton Heath.

SSAFA Woodbridge will be on hand alongside the Be Well Bus to introduce ourselves to the Woodbridge community and offer support.

Any cake donations will be used to raise funds to directly support Serving personnel, families and veterans in Woodbridge.

If you would like to donate a cake, please drop us a message or alternatively you can contact [email protected]

We kindly ask that cakes are brought to the Crompton hall by 0900am on Thursday 9 October.

If you would like to donate a cake, an ingredients card will be required for allergy purposes.

See you there 😁