Get involved: Great ways to support soldiers

Whether you're a veteran or a civilian, there are always ways you can get involved and support soldiers. Those in the Armed Forces face things on a daily basis that many of us can't comprehend and do their best to protect and serve our country, but sometimes, they need a little help too.

If you want to offer your help and support to those who are currently serving or previously served, we've got some great tips.

Donate to a charity

One of the simplest ways – but still incredibly appreciated – to offer your support is to donate regularly to a military charity. There are a lot of charities out there that offer help to servicemen and women, their families and veterans in several different areas, so you can find one that really speaks to you.

Have a look at what charities there are and what they do for people. Some may offer mental health support, others could provide housing for veterans. There are many reasons those in or formerly part of the Armed Forces might need help, meaning a variety of organisations.

Once you've found your charity or charities, donate money so they can continue to do their good work. This can mean a one-off donation, monthly payments or just sending what you can when you can. No matter what type of donation you make or how much you give, it will be appreciated.

Raise awareness

Not only do military charities need donations, they also need more people to know about them. This means that you can help out by raising awareness for a cause that you believe in, which could ultimately really help soldiers.

There are numerous ways you can do this, including sponsored activities – such as marathons – that allow you to raise money for a specific charity. You might also want to volunteer your time to the charity to get involved with an event in your area in order to tell more people about it and what it does.

Even just starting a conversation about a charity or an issue affecting servicemen and women and veterans can be beneficial, as it helps people to understand and could get them involved too.

Be a shoulder to lean on

Offering support to individuals is also a great way to get involved, especially as this shows soldiers who may be facing a rough time that there are people there for them. You may want to see about doing this via a charity, but even talking to those currently enlisted or veterans through Forces Penpals can be incredibly helpful.

We offer a great network of people, many of whom may need a shoulder to lean on now and then, as well as an easy way to offer your support.

You can also send letters and care parcels to soldiers who are currently deployed, sending them a little slice of home and letting them know people appreciate them. If you don't have a specific soldier to send something to, there are ways to send items or whole parcels to those you don't know. Visit Support Our Soldiers to find out what your options are.