Everyone affected by military-connected bereavement feels supported and empowered in their journey.
Our Mission
The Community We Support
Anyone affected by military-connected bereavement.
Every year, over 100,000 people in the UK are bereaved by a military-connected death. Of these, approximately 24,000 are affected by premature and unexpected loss — the death of someone under 65, where the impact on families is most severe.
Across a lifetime, this adds up to a community of hundreds of thousands: spouses, children, parents, siblings, loved ones and colleagues, each carrying a loss that is shaped by the specific culture, identity, and sacrifice of service life.
Children & Young People
From early childhood through to young adulthood — including those who've grown up never knowing their parent who served.
Spouses & Partners
Those navigating the sudden loss of a partner, often while raising children alone and facing a complex entitlements system.
Parents & Grandparents
Carrying the unique and devastating grief of outliving a child who served in the Armed Forces.
Siblings & Wider Family
Brothers, sisters, loved ones and colleagues — all affected in ways that are too often overlooked by conventional grief support.
Serving Personnel
Supporting the bereaved British Forces community including tri-service, regular and reserves.
Veterans
Supporting the bereaved British Forces community including veterans and serving personnel.
Why this matters
The Need
Scotty's Mission — To be empowering a community of 25k+ bereaved people by 2035. Read our Full Evidence of the Need and Theory of Change here
The evidence is clear that this is not simply grief in the conventional sense. Military-connected bereavement creates a specific and compounding set of needs: the sudden collapse of community and identity at the most vulnerable moment; elevated risks of mental health crisis, including PTSD and complicated grief; a labyrinthine entitlements system that must be navigated while capacity is at its lowest; and long-term damage to educational and economic prospects that can follow families for decades.
These needs are serious, they are long-lasting, and whilst there are great examples of help, they are not being adequately met. Support is too often time-limited, not specific to the military, hard to find, and harder to access.
Large parts of this community have until now fallen entirely outside the systems designed to help them. Many have waited years, sometimes decades, before finding anyone who truly understood what they had been through.
At Scotty's, we are here for all of them, not just at the moment of bereavement, but across a lifetime, for as long as they need us.
Who we are
Our Culture & Values
Our culture is so important to the team here at Scotty HQ. It defines us as a charity and is non-negotiable for anyone joining us. Central to our culture are our four core values — we don't just talk about them, we live them every single day.
Families Come First
Our beneficiaries are the sole reason we are here. For every decision we make and every action we take, we ask ourselves how this takes us closer to completing our mission.
Everyone a supporter, every supporter a V.I.P.
Everyone who walks through our doors has the potential to support the charity. Without that support we can't achieve our mission. Everyone is a potential supporter & every supporter should be treated like a V.I.P.
Love what you do
When you truly love what you do it shouldn't feel like work, and when it doesn't feel like work you can achieve great things. We work as a team towards one goal, our mission.
Remember Everyday
For our beneficiaries remembrance isn't just one day of the year, it's everyday of the year. We remember the sacrifices made by these families everyday.
You can read our full culture code here.
Our Mission In Action
Our promise — anyone affected by military-connected bereavement should have:
Confidence and clarity in navigating their entitlements.
The chance to build social connections.
The very best mental health and wellbeing support.
Outstanding development opportunities.
Join the
Community.
If you've been affected by a military-connected bereavement, the Scotty's community is here for you. Join the community and get involved as much or as little as you want.
What you'll get
- A monthly email, tailored to you
- Help navigating your entitlements
- Access to bereavement support
- Invitations to events and webinars
- Our annual magazine by post
- Care packages on anniversaries and difficult dates
- And lots more
Phone / WhatsApp
0800 092 8571
07392 868291
welcome@scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk
Need help now?
Call our team directly or dial 999 in an emergency. You don't need to join first to get support.
Join the
community
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By clicking “Join” you agree to our terms and for Scotty's to be in touch about the support available to you. You can leave the community at any time.