Huggable Heroes

NHS Step-by-step guide for service leavers

Find information and support to help you move from military healthcare to civilian healthcare after leaving the armed forces.

Leaving the armed forces can be a daunting process to undertake. Understanding what options you have and what actions you can take will help make your transition from military healthcare to civilian healthcare as smooth as possible.


Step-by-step guide for service leavers

NHS Healthy Start

 If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops.

We’ll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.

You can use your card to buy:
plain liquid cow’s milk
fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
infant formula milk based on cow’s milk

You can also use your card to collect:
Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

Further information can be found here: www.healthystart.nhs.uk

The NHS Armed Forces Health Podcast

The NHS Armed Forces Health Podcast is a series that aims to help you – the Armed Forces community - access the plethora of NHS services available. Through these episodes we will look at different aspects of healthcare from leaving service to finding a GP, taking care of mental and physical health, and provision for Forces families.

For further information as well as links to the podcast click here.​

Domestic Abuse - Codeword Scheme

If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, ask for ‘ANI’ in a participating pharmacy.

Please visit this link for more information.

Dad Pad

What is the DadPad?

It’s the essential guide for new dads, developed with the NHS.

Why do you need it?
As a new dad you will feel excited, but you may also feel left out, unsure or overwhelmed. The DadPad can help by giving you the knowledge and practical skills that you need. The resource will support you and your partner to give your baby the best possible start in life.

For more information CLICK HERE

British Forces Social Work Service Overseas - Domestic Abuse Support

Families Serving Overseas - University Applications UK Resident Status

The legistlation regarding applications for University for those who are serving overseas can be found which refers to the law regarding the status of any dependent accompanying their Serving parent overseas who should be treated as a UK resident can be found within the link below.

​For any further education questions please contact your nearest HIVE who will be able to assist.

The Education (Student Support) Regulations 2011 (legislation.gov.uk)

Young Minds: Support for Parents

We know parenting isn’t always easy. Although it’s often amazing and rewarding to watch your children grow up, and to help them learn to be independent, it can also be really hard work. It can feel especially hard if your child's mood and behaviour seem different and you're not sure why, or what you can do to help.

​We have lots of practical advice and tips on supporting your child​.

Click HERE​ for further information.