Support for military individuals and families
Life in and around the military can bring unique pressures for serving personnel, veterans and their families. Sensory tools may help some people manage stress, anxiety and overstimulation, offering calm in challenging moments.
Who this page is for
- Serving military personnel managing stress or sensory overload
- Veterans adjusting to civilian life or living with PTSD
- Partners and children of military personnel
- Military family support workers and welfare officers
Products that may help
Frisson8 offers sensory tools selected for their potential calming, grounding and focusing benefits.
- Weighted blankets - deep pressure that some people find calming and supportive for rest.
- Therapy putty - quiet, tactile activity for stress relief and hand-based regulation.
- Fidget devices - discreet tools that may support focus and anxiety management.
Everyone responds differently. Please choose products based on the individual’s needs and follow the manufacturer’s safety guidance.
Useful support organisations
- COBSEO - the Confederation of Service Charities.
- STOLL FOUNDATION - Accommodation help for UK serving personnel, veterans and their families.
- SSAFA - lifelong support for serving personnel, veterans and their families.
- Help for Heroes - support for wounded veterans and their families.
- Veterans’ Gateway - a first point of contact for veterans seeking support.
For detailed NHS information, read Veterans and serving UK military: priority NHS treatment.
The Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant is a UK-wide pledge that aims to ensure serving personnel, veterans and their families are treated fairly and with respect.
Its core principles are:
- Key Areas: Covers access to healthcare, education, housing, employment support, and financial services.
- Legal Duty: Enshrined under the Armed Forces Acts, certain public bodies like local authorities and the NHS must pay "due regard" to the Covenant when handling housing, education, and healthcare.
- No disadvantage: members of the Armed Forces community should not face barriers or reduced access compared with civilian citizens when accessing public and commercial services
- Special consideration: in some circumstances, particularly for those who have given the most, special provisions or priority access may be appropriate.
The Covenant covers areas including housing, healthcare, education and employment. Organisations can find out how to show their support.
You may find it useful to us the NHS Right To Choose option for UK Medical Services
NHS Right to Choose is a legal right in England that lets patients choose an alternative, NHS-contracted provider for first outpatient appointments—including for physical health or mental health services like ADHD and autism assessments—often to avoid long local waiting times
Need personal advice? Contact Frisson8 if you would like help finding the right information or sensory products for your situation.
This page provides general signposting and is not a substitute for medical, legal or specialist advice. Please check the current information directly with each organisation.