Getting help with criminal justice issues as a veteran
Find out what support is available to veterans in contact with the criminal justice system, including help for offenders and ex-offenders.
If you live in England
Contact Op Nova
Op Nova is the government-backed service designed to help veterans who are in contact with the justice system. It’s delivered by the Forces Employment Charity and commissioned by NHS England. They can help you access the services you need.
Op Nova
Freephone: 0800 917 7299
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, 8am to 2pm
Email: opnova@forcesemployment.org.uk
If you live in Scotland
Contact Sacro
Sacro is a Scottish community justice organisation which works with veterans in contact with the criminal justice system.
They operate a Veterans Mentoring Service.
Sacro
17 Gayfield Square
Edinburgh
EH1 3NX
Phone: 0131 624 7270
Email: info@sacro.org.uk
Contact NOVA Scotland
The Forces Employment Charity operates NOVA Scotland, an initiative supported by the Veterans’ Foundation.
They can help veterans in Scotland who are in contact with the criminal justice system.
NOVA Scotland
Freephone: 0800 917 7299
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, 8am to 2pm
Email: opnova@forcesemployment.org.uk
If you live in Wales
Contact NHS Veterans Wales
NHS Veterans Wales can support veterans in contact with the criminal justice system in Wales.
They can help with issues such as:
- mental health support
- education and learning needs
- reintegration into the community
You can find the contact for your region on their website.
If you live in Northern Ireland
Contact the Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland
The Veterans Welfare Service Northern Ireland can help veterans of the UK armed forces in Northern Ireland access services and support.
You can find the contact for your region on their website.
Organisations that can help
Royal British Legion Industries
Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) delivers the LifeWorks course, working with veterans to help them identify and access meaningful and sustainable employment. This includes ex-offenders who want to train and find new opportunities. Visit the LifeWorks website to learn more.
SSAFA - the Armed Forces charity
SSAFA is a charity supporting regular and reserve service personnel and their families. SSAFA operates a Veterans in the Criminal Justice System service to support veterans serving prison sentences, and their families.
Contact your local SSAFA regional hub for more information.
Care after Combat
Care after Combat is a charity that provides support for veterans and their families within the criminal justice system in England and Wales. They provides services including mentorship support, group meetings in prison, remote support service and telephone helpline assistance.
Care after Combat
Telephone: 0300 343 0255
Email: enquiries@careaftercombat.org
Website: Care after Combat
Find more organisations
To search and filter support organisations by topic and location, visit the GOV.UK directory for veteran support.
Updates to this page
Published 12 September 2024Last updated 7 October 2024 + show all updates
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Updated signposting information to include Sacro.
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First published.