Speak to a caseworker
You can ring our office and speak to a member of our caseworking team who will discuss
your needs, provide advice and guidance and send you a form to complete to start the
application process. Alternatively, you can click below and fill out the Lightning Reach
application form and we will be in touch. You can also go to RN FPS (Royal Navy Family
and People Support), SSAFA, RBL or one of the other Naval Charities.
Available from 0830 to 1600 Monday to Friday
023 9263 9534
caseworkers@navalchildrenscharity.org.uk
If you need our help please complete a short online form and we will be in touch.
What you can expect from the grant process
At any time you need our help, we have a simple process in place to make sure you get the advice and assistance you need quickly and easily.
Contact us by phone / email / or by filling out the application form above.
One of our caseworkers will contact you within 2 working days to discuss your needs. If an in-person meeting is needed we can arrange that with you.
Our casework team will review your information within 2 weeks, including your financial situation, and assist you in getting the support you need.
We will communicate the decision and provide agreed assistance as soon as possible.
If there are specific difficulties that you are struggling with you will find expert advice by clicking on one of the images below. We have partnerships with other organisations to help you with information and/or direct support. You will find some really useful help here and it is worth exploring before you contact us.
In partnership with Greenwich Hospital
Not all our families, children or young people, are facing crisis or financial difficulties but may be affected by the challenges that can come with a life connected to the Royal Navy.
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Our Life Chances programme has been designed in partnership with Naval young people via our NCC Youth Council and centres around three key themes: Outdoor, Creative, and Education.
Here’s how the Life Chances Programme makes an impact:
Opportunities to build essential life skills through activities that promote resilience, teamwork, and self-belief.
Working towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award? Many of these activities can be counted! We are also working with the Forces Employment Charity to embed careers advice, CV support and future planning.
Connecting young people with others from Naval families, participants can develop a shared sense of belonging and understanding, creating friendships that could last a lifetime.
We have teamed up with the Naval Families Federation to offer Wellbeing Packs for Naval children and young people as well as their parents and carers. Building upon our previous Books for All offer, we’re now offering each family member a ‘pack’ of resources that can be tailored to them. No matter your age or situation, we’ve got something for you – including some of our very own creations!
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Our wellbeing packs are free for families, and each contain 1 book, 1 resource and 1 additional extra. Families can tailor each pack to the child in question, meaning you can make the call on which materials best suit your individual circumstances.
The Charity supports dependant children and young people up to and including the age of 25, whose parent(s) serve or have served in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, QARNNS, WRNS, Reserves and Royal Fleet Auxiliary in times of need, hardship and distress. Each family unit is unique and we help regardless of marital circumstances.
You can call our casework team on 02392639534 to discuss your circumstances and needs. An application form can then be emailed to you, or you can use the Lightning Reach Application Form on the ‘Need our Help’ section of our website.
We are independent of the Royal Navy and would only contact someone with your permission. Each case is treated with the utmost confidentiality. Â
As a means tested charity we will ask you to provide information about your financial situation, current circumstances and details of your child(ren)’s needs. If you are seeking assistance relating to a medical condition, disability or specialist piece of equipment, we will normally ask for supporting documentation to verify and help us understand the child’s medical/educational needs. All of this information enables the caseworkers to make fully informed recommendations for financial grants.
A caseworker will contact you within 2 working days from your initial enquiry to discuss your needs. Once the application has been submitted with supporting documentation we aim to give you a response within 2 weeks. Our Caseworkers also have the ability to award emergency grants in urgent cases. More complex cases may be referred to our Grants Committee for a decision.
Applications are assessed on an individual basis and, depending on circumstances and the needs of your children, particularly where there is a crisis or emergency beyond your means, then consideration can be made to support child specific needs.  Â
If, from initial discussion with our casework team, we establish that it would be beneficial to complete a home visit then we can arrange this with you. We may work with caseworkers from other organisations depending on where you are.
We can consider any child specific need, no matter how large or small. If you are struggling with day to day living or need help with things such as children’s medical equipment/educational needs/hospital travel/school uniform/children’s beds etc then please get in touch. We will discuss your needs with you and try to work out how to support you. This list is not exhaustive.
Not all families need financial assistance. Some children and young people struggle with the challenges of Armed Forces life or their own challenges, particularly around mental health. The Charity offers a wide range of FREE resources to help Naval children impacted by Service life. We also offer opportunities to broaden horizons and enhance their outcomes. You will find these on our website.
As well as our Head Office casework team, we have Outreach Caseworkers in Helensburgh and the Southwest who along with our Community Engagement lead, regularly attend events, homecomings, families days in different areas.Â
If you have a question or not sure what help you need and require information or advice, please use this online form:Â
For applications for financial assistance you can apply by clicking on Register for Help below which will take you to the Lightning Reach portal. This platform is provided by our trusted partner, Lightning Reach, a social impact startup which uses secure technology to make the application process as quick and safe as possible for you.
Once your application has been made a caseworker will be in touch as soon as possible, this is usually within 3 days.
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The profile you create on the Lightning Reach portal can also help you to find and apply for support from other support organisations easily and securely. We recommend that you submit your application to The Naval Children’s Charity first before submitting applications to other organisations.
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For help with completing your application, visit Lightning Support and search for ‘The Naval Children’s Charity’.
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If you have a question or not sure what help you need and require information or advice please use this online form.
Alternatively, If you would prefer to call our casework team, we can be contacted on 023 9263 9534, our office hours are 0830-1600 Monday to Friday.
The Naval Children’s Charity supports children up to and including the age of 25 whose parent(s) serve or have served in the Naval Service: Royal Navy, Royal Marines, QARNNS, WRNS, their Reserves and the RFA. If you need information or advice regarding support for your child(ren) please fill in the form to the best of your knowledge. One of our caseworkers will then contact you.
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If you would prefer to call us we can be contacted on 023 9263 9534, our office hours are 0830-1600 Monday to Thursday and 0830-1300 on Friday.
