The Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, Combat Stress, exists to serve the men and women of our armed forces. For over 80 years, Combat Stress has been the only services charity specialising in helping those of all ranks from the Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy suffering from psychological disability as a result of their service in the front line defending Britain's interests. For many who are affected, the problems may take years, perhaps decades to surface.
Through a national network of welfare officers, visits are made to veterans at home in order to establish how best to improve their quality of life.Through three treatment centres rehabilitative treatment is provided which aims to help the victim cope with his or her disabilities and to enjoy a better quality of life. In over 80 years of operation, the Society has provided some 75,000 veterans of the two World Wars and the many conflicts since with a unique lifeline. Currently, the Society takes about 700 veterans onto its books each year, the youngest in their early twenties, the oldest in their nineties. There are people in receipt of help who between them represent service in every campaign which the British Armed services has been engaged from the start of World War 2 to the present day.
Childline is the UK's free, 24-hour helpline for children in distress or danger. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect children and young people who may feel they have nowhere else to turn. Almost 1,400 volunteers provide a counselling service, supervised by a team of professional supervisors and managers. Every day counsellors answer around 2,500 calls from children and young people looking for comfort, advice and protection.
Children call Childline about a wide range of problems, but the most common problems are abuse (both sexual and physical), bullying, serious family tensions, worries about friends’ welfare and teenage pregnancy. Since it was launched in 1986, Childline has saved children's lives, found refuges for children in danger on the streets, and given hope to thousands of children who believed no one else cared for them. Childline has now counselled well over one million children and young people. Childline campaigns on behalf of children by relaying what they tell to policy-makers who can help change children’s lives for the better.
Down's South is a thriving member-run charity and support network for children with Down's Syndrome and their families. South London-based, it provides a specialist speech and language therapy service for children (birth to 10 years) unavailable elsewhere, including the private sector. It operates a catchment area from Wandsworth to Greenwich.
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