We are proud to share our latest Impact Report, reflecting on another year of standing alongside the Armed Forces Community across Greater Manchester and the wider North West.
Over the past 12 months, the need for support has continued to grow in both scale and complexity. More veterans and families than ever before came to AFCHQ facing homelessness, poor mental health, financial hardship, loneliness, trauma and social isolation. Yet behind every figure in this report is a person, a family and a future that matters.
Growing Need, Greater Reach
Between April 2025 and March 2026, AFCHQ supported 326 people through 365 targeted interventions, representing a 25% increase in reach compared with the previous year.
This growth reflects not only rising demand, but also our continued ability to respond with compassionate, trauma-informed and life-changing support for those who need it most.
Housing, Stability and Homes at Ease
Housing and homelessness remained one of the greatest areas of need throughout the year. Through Homes at Ease, we supported 172 beneficiaries and achieved a 99% tenancy sustainment rate, helping veterans and members of the Armed Forces Community move away from crisis and towards safety, stability and hope.
By combining rapid practical intervention with long-term, person-centred support, the programme continues to restore dignity, rebuild confidence and create the foundations for healthier, more secure lives.
Trauma-Informed Mental Health Support
Our specialist psychotherapy service continued to play a vital role in supporting those facing significant mental health challenges. During 2025-26, we supported 112 clients through 603 therapy sessions, providing timely, evidence-based support for PTSD, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and moral injury.
With waiting times of just 1-2 weeks, people were able to access help when they needed it most. The level of need remains significant, with over 70% of clients reporting suicidal thoughts at some point in their journey.
This work sits at the heart of AFCHQ’s wider wraparound model, where clinical support is delivered alongside housing, crisis intervention and wellbeing support to create lasting change.
Community, Connection and Prevention
Community connection remains central to everything we do. Over the course of the year, AFCHQ connected 2,872 people through its services and wider community activity, served 6,760 breakfasts through the NAAFI Café, delivered 166 awareness sessions, and benefited from 842 hours of volunteer support.
These figures reflect far more than activity alone. They demonstrate the value of safe spaces, trusted relationships and community-led support in helping people feel connected, understood and supported.
A Major Milestone: Greater Manchester VALOUR
This year also marked a major milestone for AFCHQ. We were incredibly honoured to be appointed as Greater Manchester’s VALOUR centre, one of the first in the UK, helping to shape a more connected and accessible future of support for veterans and their families.
Built around the principle of “no wrong door”, VALOUR represents an important opportunity to ensure people can access the right support, in the right place, at the right time. It also reflects our shared commitment to building stronger partnerships and more joined-up support across the region.
Social Value and Wider Impact
Alongside the direct support delivered to individuals and families, AFCHQ continued to generate significant wider impact. In 2025-26, the organisation created £9.3 million in social value, with £7.55 returned for every £1 invested.
Every intervention represents more than a statistic – it represents stability restored, crisis prevented and futures rebuilt.
Looking Ahead
None of this would be possible without our dedicated staff team, volunteers, funders, partners and, most importantly, the veterans, families and community members who place their trust in us every day.
Together, we are not simply responding to crisis – we are building safer futures, healthier communities and better life chances for generations to come.
As we look ahead to 2026-27, we do so with ambition, hope and determination. The future of AFCHQ has never felt more exciting and, together, we will continue to unite, inspire and help our community achieve.