Locations & Projects

DMWS currently operates across the UK and Cyprus. DMWS Welfare officers and staff are located within NHS Trusts in hospitals and communities and provide welfare support to the armed forces, veterans, NHS staff, emergency services, The Merchant Navy & their immediate family. We also provide a UK wide telephone welfare support service via the DMWS Emergency Response Service.

We respond to civilian crisis, national emergency and military deployment. Since 1943 our welfare officers have deployed alongside the military to provide help and support in field hospitals during all major conflicts.

Who we support

We support the armed forces, veterans, NHS staff, emergency services, The Merchant Navy & their immediate family when they are receiving medical treatment in hospital.

Success Stories

Our success stories illustrate the difference we make to our service users, their family members and healthcare providers.

Impact Report 2020

Take a look at our latest impact report to find out in more detail how we make a difference to the patients and organisations who use our service. You will also find further information about our locations and projects across the UK and Cyprus.

The Benefits

Find out more about the benefits to the patient, healthcare organisations and employers.

Partners & Supporters

It is because of our supporters, donors and partners that our service can help those who have been there for all of us. We break through barriers to recovery, reduce delays to transfer of care and reduce unnecessary readmissions.

Positive Pathways Programme

We work with people and organisations to access the Armed Forces Covenant Positive Pathways programme. Part of the Veterans’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, the Positive Pathways programme funds projects that develop and run activities supporting the mental health and wellbeing of ex-Forces.

Our latest news

NHS Lanarkshire honoured for outstanding support towards the Armed Forces

NHS Lanarkshire honoured for outstanding support towards the Armed Forces. Congratulations to health and social care staff across Lanarkshire after they received the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award for outstanding support towards the Armed Forces community. DMWS Welfare Officers Kenny and Ash...

"There when it matters most".

As part of the Defence Medical Welfare Service partnership with ABF The Soldiers’ Charity we were the focus of their recent Go Inspire campaign highlighting the vital work we have delivered during the last 18 months. Download and read all about how we have helped over 5500 individuals within t...

Minister for Crime and Policing Kit Malthouse and National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales John Apter visit DMWS

Minister of State for Crime and Policing Kit Malthouse and National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales John Apter visited Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) head office in Andover, Hampshire to hear first hand some of the brilliant work DMWS have been delivering to police office...

Outstanding Charitable Contribution Award for services during Covid 19 pandemic

DMWS Welfare Officer Ashley Winter along with Mike Davey from The Veteran Support Centre, Herefordshire, have been acknowledge for their outstanding work helping isolated veterans during the pandemic at The Armed Forces Community Lockdown Awards In Partnership With Hugh James and Pathfinder Magazine...

Defence Medical Welfare Service win Charity of the Year

30th April, 2021: Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) have been awarded Charity of the Year at the South West Business and Community Awards. The award recognises the work delivered by DMWS in the South of England supporting the armed forces, veterans, police officers, The Merchant Navy and their...

DMWS Welfare Officers Demmie Savvides and Stacy Loizou win Team of the Year Award

DMWS has teams working in hospitals and the community in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Cyprus. The pandemic made 2020 challenging and the most difficult of years with all members of staff in the organisation reacting and adjusting routine working practices to continue to deliver our vital...

DMWS shortlisted for Charity of the Year at the South West Business & Community Awards

We are pleased to announce that Defence Medical Welfare Service have been shortlisted for The Charity of The Year at the South West Business and Community Awards. This is a huge achievement with over 1,000 nominations and 83 entries within this category. The award nomination recognises the work de...

DMWS delivers a new Welfare Support Programme Service to all 43 police forces in England & Wales

Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is providing a new Welfare Support Programme (WSP) to all subscribing police federation (PFEW) members across England and Wales. The scheme complements services already available to officers. The bespoke service offers a wide range of welfare support including...

Qigong 'the new yoga' offered to veterans across Cumbria via DMWS

Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) are excited to offer Qigong sessions to veterans across Cumbria along side the welfare service DMWS provides. Qigong, labelled the ‘new yoga’ is an ancient practice with heaps of rewards including helping with physical and mental well-being. This is...

Walking Football and Wellbeing Support Service

Herefordshire Football Association and Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) have come together to offer Walking Football Welfare Support in Herefordshire for veterans. It is available to veterans of all ages, physical ability and also their family membe...

5,500 individuals supported during three-year partnership between Defence Medical Welfare Service and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity

5,500 individuals supported during three-year partnership between the Defence Medical Welfare Service and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity The end of March marks the culmination of a three-year partnership between the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. The two have wo...

DMWS sets up crafting & companionship for isolated veterans in Wiltshire

The crafting & companionship group for female veterans in Lyneham & surrounding areas in Wiltshire was set up by DMWS and is lead by Welfare Officer Julie Ponton. The successful and growing project is funded by The Armed Forces Positive Pathways pathways programme which funds activities that...

"Michael from DMWS looks out for veterans in the Borders" highlights the Southern Reporter

Michael a veteran himself says, “I am determined to continue assisting other veterans, no matter what age they are, to access the services that they vitally need, but may not know they are eligible for. I help by acting as a bridge so that the medical professionals can better understand vetera...

Scotland's First Minister thanks Defence Medical Welfare Service calling new mental health service for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde "A Shining Example"

Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon calls new mental health service at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Vale of Leven Hospital “A Shining Example” and thanked all those involved including Defence Medical Welfare Service. MSP Maurice Corry, chair of the cross-party Veterans Co...

Help at the hospital bedside, and beyond: Meet the DMWS team in Scotland.

We are delighted to feature in the first The Unforgotten Forces produced by Age UK Scotland. In edition 1 you’ll find an interview with Dereck Hardman, founder of the Armed Forces and Veterans’ Breakfast Club movement, stories about Unforgotten Forces partners including us, DMWS along with Com...

Armed Forces Covenant Positive Pathways Programme

Do you support veterans? Do you have an idea for an activity that will help and improve the health and wellbeing of veterans? Are a registered charity or community interest company? If so applying for a grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Positive Pathways Programme might be f...

Flowers from Afar

DMWS provide a valuable service to families of serving or ex-serving personnel, who have lost loved ones, and who are buried overseas. Flowers from Afar enables family members to have flowers placed on the resting place of their loved one, providing comfort to those left behind. One of our service u...

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