Behind Every Veteran: Supporting the Families Who Serve Too
When someone serves in the Armed Forces, their whole family serves with them. They may not wear the uniform, but they carry the weight — through deployments, homecomings, transitions and, sometimes, silence. And when service ends, the impact on loved ones doesn’t simply disappear.
Partners, children and close family members often become the front line of support. They witness the effects of trauma, hearing loss, physical injuries, financial stress or isolation. And yet, they’re rarely given the tools or recognition needed to cope with the emotional toll it takes.
At Justice4Heroes, we believe that supporting veterans means supporting their families too. Whether it’s helping a spouse navigate a partner’s PTSD, assisting with claims for hearing loss or mis-sold pensions, or simply making space for the shared reality of post-service life, family wellbeing is central to every veteran’s recovery.
This blog explores the unique challenges UK military families face after service — and the growing network of support available to help them feel seen, heard and hopeful again.
The Hidden Cost of Service: How Families Are Affected
For many families, life after service is not as calm or settled as expected. The shift to civilian life can create tension, confusion or distance, even in the strongest relationships.
Common struggles include:
Communication breakdowns due to hearing loss, trauma or withdrawal
Financial strain, especially after poor advice or delayed compensation
Emotional burnout from constant caretaking or anxiety
Children struggling with behavioural issues or changes in schooling
Isolation from peers who don’t understand military life
Uncertainty about how to support a loved one through undiagnosed issues
Many families quietly carry the emotional fallout of service — particularly if their veteran partner is reluctant to seek help. Over time, that silence becomes its own burden.
Real Voices from Military Families
We’ve spoken to many families over the years, and while every situation is different, some themes echo across them all.
“He doesn’t talk about his time in, but it comes out in other ways — the shouting, the sleepless nights, the way he zones out. I didn’t sign up for that, but I love him. I just wish someone had warned me.”
— Partner of an Army veteran, Greater Manchester
“Mum was always worried about money after Dad left the Navy. He got messed about with his pension and never really recovered from that stress. We kids just thought it was normal to not ask questions.”
— Daughter of a Cold War-era veteran, Kent
“I didn’t realise how much I’d absorbed my husband’s anxiety. I was tiptoeing around him, second-guessing everything. When we finally got support, it helped both of us — not just him.”
— Spouse of a Falklands veteran, Yorkshire
These stories are difficult to share, but they are far from uncommon.
Family Wellbeing and Financial Stress
Financial hardship is one of the most consistent sources of pressure in post-service family life. When a veteran has been:
Mis-sold a pension
Denied compensation for hearing loss
Unable to work due to injury or trauma
...the entire household feels it.
Veterans often carry guilt about the impact on their families. Spouses, in turn, carry worry — not just about bills, but about how to hold the household together emotionally.
That’s why helping veterans access rightful compensation is more than a financial issue. It’s a wellbeing issue. Justice, in these cases, means security, dignity and peace of mind for everyone under the same roof.
Parenting After Service
Children are often more aware of the tension at home than adults realise. A parent who once seemed confident may now be withdrawn or irritable. Hearing loss can cause communication barriers. Emotional wounds may make veterans more distant or reactive.
Some children:
Struggle to understand why their parent is different from other adults
Feel they have to “walk on eggshells” at home
Develop anxiety, sleep problems or emotional outbursts
Feel protective of the veteran, even at the cost of their own needs
These are deeply personal, and often painful, realities. But early support makes a difference — and there are specialist services available to help.
Where Families Can Find Support
1. SSAFA – The Armed Forces Charity
Offers support for families, including spouses, children, and carers. Services include counselling, financial help, and housing advice.
www.ssafa.org.uk
2. Veterans’ Gateway
A 24/7 point of contact for veterans and their families, signposting to mental health support, family services and welfare advice.
www.veteransgateway.org.uk
3. Combat Stress – Family Support Services
Runs dedicated workshops and support groups for family members of veterans with PTSD or mental health needs.
www.combatstress.org.uk
4. Royal British Legion – Families and Carers Support
Includes respite breaks, carer support and family-focused events.
www.britishlegion.org.uk
5. Naval, Army and RAF Families Federations
Offer tailored resources for families depending on their veteran’s branch of service.
Simple Ways to Strengthen Family Wellbeing
Even small steps can create meaningful change. Families we work with have shared things that helped them regain connection and confidence:
Set up open, pressure-free conversations, even if brief
Create new routines together, such as weekend walks or shared meals
Encourage the veteran to take small steps toward help, rather than forcing big changes
Make time for the carer or spouse to recharge — even one hour a week alone can help
Don’t ignore your own emotions — you matter too
Share stories with other families going through the same thing
There’s no “right” way to navigate this journey, but there is support — and strength in shared experience.
Why Justice4Heroes Cares About Families
We see the bigger picture. A mis-sold pension doesn’t just affect the veteran — it affects the partner who picked up extra work, the child who missed out on a holiday, the family who carried the stress.
Hearing loss isn’t just a medical issue — it’s a communication issue that shapes relationships and parenting.
When we push for compensation, recognition and reform, it’s with families in mind. Every successful claim we help support means more security for the whole household. Every story we share raises awareness for those still silently struggling.
Families deserve justice too — and we are here for them.
Final Thoughts
Behind every veteran is a family. Behind every strong family is the support they deserve.
Visit www.justice4heroes.org to find out more about our support for veterans and their families — and how to get help with hearing loss or financial mis-selling
Sign the petition calling for justice for pre-1987 veterans and the families affected by their exclusion:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/715800
You’ve carried each other through the toughest times. Let’s carry this next step together.
