OUR VISION

We believe that military veterans are the civilian communities greatest asset. Our life enhancing, totally inclusive, educative and advocacy driven research projects promote inclusion and facilitate the learning of new skills and systemic change. We actively promote bespoke activities that enhance mental and physical wellbeing. Our best in class ‘trauma informed’ interventions improve the quality of life of all those that access our support service by rekindling citizenship.

RESEARCH - EDUCATION - ADVOCACY- SUPPORT

Tony Wright, the Founder and CEO of Forward Assist, established the charity in 2013 in response to a pressing need for better support systems for military veterans transitioning to civilian life. Having served briefly in the military he later worked extensively with vulnerable groups as both a registered Social Worker and Probation Officer for over 42 years. Tony recognised that there was a significant gap in services that truly addressed the psychological and social challenges veterans faced upon discharge. He founded Forward Assist with the mission to advocate for and support all veterans, particularly those struggling with complex issues such as mental health conditions, homelessness, substance misuse, involvement with the CJS, social isolation, undiagnosed PTSD and difficulties navigating civilian systems.

During his work at Forward Assist, Tony became acutely aware that women veterans were often overlooked within the broader veterans' support community. Many women faced unique challenges, including experiences of military sexual trauma, gender discrimination, and lack of recognition for their service. These issues were often compounded by a lack of gender-specific support structures or care pathways. Understanding the need for a safe and inclusive space for female combat veterans, Tony initiated a dedicated women’s project within Forward Assist which still exists to this day, aiming to provide trauma-informed care and a platform for these women to share their stories and receive targeted support.

As the women’s project gained momentum with dedicated funding from the Department of Culture Media & Sport (DCMS) he was able to prove its critical importance by initiating numerous ethnographic 'Lived Experience' research reports in partnership with Baseline Research to capture the hidden voices of women veterans. Tony personally allocated a grant he received from the Churchill Fellowship Activate Fund to develop, (with the support of the Forward Assist Trustees) a standalone charity for women called Salute Her UK. This decision reflected both his selfless commitment to equity in veterans’ care and a desire to ensure sustainability and visibility for a hidden population. Through this evolution, Tony and the Forward Assist Trustees, demonstrated visionary leadership and a deep dedication to honouring the service and sacrifice of all veterans, especially those whose voices had too often gone unheard.

For the last thirteen years Forward Assist has been busy developing an innovative ‘Theory of Change for Veterans’. All Forward Assists projects and interventions are based upon the core Social Work values of service; social justice, dignity, self determination, the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. When necessary we will care coordinate services so that veterans and their families can access non-judgmental help and support. Working with the whole Armed Forces Community we can guide, signpost and advocate as veterans navigate the best support available to them.

“No special training required. The weight, shared, might just become bearable”

All our interventions are designed to improve the quality of life of those referred to the charity. Our ‘Soldier2Citizen’ quality of life support model focuses on nine life domains which cover the three key areas of;

Being - Belonging - Becoming

We believe that all veterans deserve equity of access to services and a high quality of life. Adjusting to life after military service requires new skills of adaptation and a willingness to embrace life as a citizen. Belonging to any community requires a sense of purpose and connection. We must endeavour to explore all opportunities for self improvement whilst being of service to others.

Adapted from: The Quality of Life Profile: A Generic Measure of Health and Well-Being. Toronto: Quality of Life Research Unit; University of Toronto. Raphael, D., D’Amico, J., Brown, I., Renwick, R. (1998).

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