Why the Family Focus programme matters so deeply
“As military carers, our stories are often shaped by dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering support for our loved ones that have served.”
Caring for a loved one through injury or illness is never easy. It can reshape your daily life, your relationships, and your sense of self. Whether you’re navigating fluctuating health conditions or living in a more stable situation, the challenges are real and often overwhelming.
From adapting your home environment and managing finances to juggling appointments, medications, and emotional support—military carers face a unique and demanding journey.
Never just a carer
As a carer, you may not always consider your own wellbeing and needs.
Our Family Focus programme puts the spotlight back on you and other family members, ensuring you are seen, heard, and valued.
We’re supporting organisations such as The Ripple Pond, who work alongside families caring for loved ones with physical, psychological or emotional injuries during their time in the UK armed forces. They tell explain how supporting a loved one can be particularly isolating for family members.
“While your loved one may be surrounded by medical teams, case workers, or support organisations, you may be quietly fading in the background, seen as ‘just the partner’, ‘just the parent’, or ‘just the family’. But there is no ‘just’ about what you do.”
Sarah’s story
The Ripple Pond has worked alongside Sarah, who now uses her story to raise awareness of the needs of families: “Behind every wounded veteran, reservist or serving armed forces personnel are families like ours who need to be seen.”
Sarah never thought she’d be a military carer: “I met my husband while he was still serving in the army and we got married soon after. We were happy, balancing work, life, and family. But looking back there were signs things weren’t ok.”
Years after leaving the military, her husband’s sporadic moments of out-of-character behaviour became more frequent and they knew they needed help. Her husband was diagnosed with complex PTSD.
“For us the journey got worse before it got better. The emotions my husband had worked so hard to hide became present in our every day. We’ve battled to stay together as a family. To create an environment that works for all of our needs.”
Like many families caring for an injured serving person or veteran, both Sarah and her husband have had to learn and adapt. Their story is one of many that the Family Focus programme seeks to support.
Family Focus
Last year, we funded 16 projects focusing on the needs of families like Sarah’s. We want these families to feel better informed and able to access relevant information that can help them. We want families to feel less isolated and to be able to develop the confidence and skills they need to follow their own training and employment path when they are ready.
Projects we’ve funded so far include:
- Tailored mental health and wellbeing support
- Group support for carers
- Practical advice on debt, finances, welfare and housing
- Activities to combat isolation
- Peer mentorship
- Employment support, and more.
Explore the full list of awards made so far, to see the impact.
Apply now
The Family Focus programme is currently accepting applications from eligible organisations who want to improve life for families of wounded, injured or sick serving personnel or veterans.
Work might focus on strengthening the family unit, or it might reach out to hidden carers. This programme is about the unique needs of family members, led by their individual experiences.
The application deadline is 24 September 2025. Full details of this important programme are available on our Family Focus programme page.