A message from Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, Joy Allen: Why SSAFA’s Work Matters More Than Ever

I am incredibly proud to have been reappointed as local Patron for SSAFA Durham, an organisation that quietly changes lives every single day for veterans, serving personnel and military families across our communities.

I recently met with SSAFA Chief Executive Steve Shell when he attended the AGM of the Durham Branch and Bishop Auckland Veterans Group which was held at Bishop Auckland Football Club. During his visit he heard how the group has become a lifeline for many veterans, helping combat loneliness and isolation through friendship, support, and community connection. 

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has supported the military family for more than 140 years. Yet many people still do not fully realise the scale of the work it does. From practical help with housing, benefits, and financial hardship, to emotional support and welfare advice, SSAFA stands beside those who have served our country and the families who have supported them throughout their military lives.

For me, this role is deeply personal. As the wife of a serving soldier, I spent seven years living in Germany within the military community while also working for HM Forces as a civilian employee. Those experiences gave me first-hand insight into both the incredible strengths and the hidden challenges that come with military life.

Military communities are built on resilience, camaraderie, and service. The friendships and bonds formed are unlike anything else. But service life can also bring enormous pressures, long deployments, family separation, frequent relocations, and uncertainty about the future.

While many veterans transition successfully into civilian life, others can struggle once the structure and support of military life is gone. Too many veterans continue to face challenges linked to homelessness, poor mental health, trauma, addiction, and social isolation. Behind many of those issues are invisible wounds that can remain long after service has ended.

That is why organisations like SSAFA matter so much. Here in Durham, the charity’s work goes far beyond traditional casework. Their outreach programmes and veterans’ groups are helping reconnect people with support services, trusted networks, and a sense of belonging. 

Importantly, SSAFA also recognises that support must extend to families too, because military life affects husbands, wives, partners, children, and carers as much as the person serving.

The charity is increasingly helping people experiencing trauma, crisis, and domestic abuse, ensuring families can access support before situations escalate further. That early intervention can be life changing.

As Police and Crime Commissioner, I see very clearly the links between trauma, vulnerability, mental health, addiction, and wider community safety challenges. Supporting veterans and their families is not just the right thing to do morally, it is essential if we are serious about building safer, stronger, and more resilient communities.

That is why I am looking forward to working closely with Steve Shell, my local Branch Chair Mike Donne and the wider SSAFA team over the coming months to explore how we can further raise awareness of the support available locally and ensure more veterans and their families know help is there.

As both Police and Crime Commissioner and local Patron for SSAFA Durham, I see enormous opportunities to bring these roles together to help build safer, stronger, and more resilient communities. 

By working alongside charities like SSAFA, Police, Councils, Health and Ambulance Services and wider partners, I can help strengthen support for veterans and military families, tackle isolation and vulnerability early and ensure those who have served our country are not left behind or forgotten.