Op TELIC (Iraq) & Op HERRICK (Afghanistan)
The Joint Casualty & Compassionate Centre has a Call Centre whose purpose is to act as a focal point to address the concerns of the families who have family members deployed on Op TELIC and Op HERRICK. The number to call is (0044) 01452 519951 and the Call Centre is currently open 24 hours a day.
It should be noted that casualty information is not, and will not be, available through the Call Centre. In the event of a soldier actually becoming a casualty, Army policy is that the soldier's Emergency Contacts will be notified as quickly as information is made available. However family members may call in to ensure we have their most current address, for instance if you intend visiting a relation for a few days.
Advice and Support
There are many Service organisations on hand to offer support to, or links for, families. They can be contacted through the links and numbers below:
Initially your prime point of contact is the Visiting Officer. They will have access or information on the main agencies who can provide help and assistance.
Service Personnel & Veterans Agency Welfare Service Officer. He/she can help with accessing claims for compensation under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and the Armed Services Pension Scheme where appropriate.
Contact with the SPVA(WS) can be made through Tel: 0800 1692277
www.veterans-uk.info/
In the medium to long term support can be gained from either of the following:
Army Inquiries & Aftercare Support Cell (AIASC) - Tel (0044) 01980 61 5567/5557/8762. The AIASC maintain contact with bereaved families until as far as the Service and family are concerned it is no longer necessary. They will hand the ongoing care of the family to the Regimental Headquarters of the deceased and also to the Service Personnel & Veterans Agency Welfare Service. Both of these agencies are long term contacts with the Army.
Army Families Federation (AFF) Contact through the Visiting Officer.
Army Welfare Service (AWS) Provides Welfare assistance to families and liasion with civilian welfare agencies. Contact can be made directly or through your Visiting Officer.
Army Widows Association (AWA) - provides support for widows/widowers. Your Visiting Officer will deliver a letter from the AWA so that you can make contact if you wish.
BFBS Radio – to send messages. Call 08701 202 121
Brisith Forces Post Office (BFPO).
Post is being delivered as normal, but nothing over 2Kg and in a Jiffy-bag. Anything over this weight should be divided where possible and sent in separate bags. If a particular Post Office refuses to send packages of 2Kg or less, the sender should call 0208 818 6450 to register a complaint and that Office can be advised accordingly.
Other queries on BFPO numbers can be addressed to the following, but callers should be aware that there may well be delays in getting through.
08457 697 978 (contact for BFPO numbers)
0208 818 6259 (Customer care)
0208 818 6417 (Public Relations & Communications)
Confidential Support Line:
UK: 0800 731 4880
Germany: 0800 182 7395
Cyprus: 080 91065
Anywhere in the world: 0044 1980 630 854
MoD Public Enquiries: Mon-Fri 083001700 – 0870 607 4455
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association – Forces Help (SSAFA-FH) www.ssafa.org.uk
For information on, and to make a donation to, the UK Forces Gulf Fund see http://www.efundraising.org/usthome.html
Telephone Debit/Credit card donations can also be made on 0800 107 0200.
Postal Donations can be sent to :
UK Forces Gulf Fund
FREEPOST TN2257
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4TA
This fund is proposed to help those serving in or with UK Forces in Op Telic, and their families, with immediate and short term needs, until longer term benefits are available
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