Veteran’s Families Well-Being Support Programme

Introducing Community Discovery and Recovery Services

We are pleased to announce that Community Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services (CDARS) has become Community Discovery and Recovery Services.

This change of name reflects the natural evolution of our organisation and the wider range of support we now provide. CDARS began 40 years ago as a psychosocial service supporting individuals experiencing substance and alcohol misuse issues, as well as their families and loved ones.

Over the decades, we have continued to grow and develop in response to the needs of the communities we serve. Today, our work extends across mental health, neurodiversity, and substance and alcohol misuse, providing compassionate, person-centred support to individuals, families, and communities.

While our name has changed, our commitment remains the same. Our ethos, values, and dedication to helping people discover their strengths, build recovery, and achieve their goals continue to guide everything we do.

We look forward to this next chapter as Community Discovery and Recovery Services, continuing to provide support, understanding, and hope to those who need us.

Veteran Family Support

Military Service does not stop with the person in uniform; military families live it every day, even beyond that person leaving the military. Whilst many families adapt to the demands of service-life and beyond, for others, their challenges can become overwhelming and feel insurmountable. Behind the constant change, separation, and uncertainty is a spectrum of experiences that are often invisible to the outside world, even to the extended family. From chronic stress, anxiety, psychological distress, relationship breakdown, domestic abuse, selfharm, to PTSD and CPTSD. Even when it can be seen, families can feel helpless to know how to deal with it head-on. We are here to say no military family should ever feel like they are living in the shadows.

What we offer

Our programme offers a 6-month pathway, uniquely designed with you in mind to help you reach your own ‘summit point’ - a meaningful goal that supports you in rebuilding confidence, stability, independence and hope for the future. You can step away or pause your journey on the pathway at any stage. You can re-enter with a new ‘summit point’ goal when you are ready or begin again if you want to raise the bar.

Phase 1: Onboarding means building a connection with our team. Let us get to know one another so we get this right the first time.
Phase 2: Life Chats: tell us what you need. We have been trained by specialists to hear you and understand you. Together, we can create a unique support pathway just for you and mark out your summit point.
Phase 3: Together we will guide you along your support pathway at a pace that feels right for you. Along the way, we pause at key marker points to reflect together how you feel and adapt your pathway where you need it most.

Services Offered

Support Groups
Advice, Guidance, and Information
Peer Mentorship
Family Support
Health and Wellbeing for Military Families
Neurodiversity Support
Counselling
Support around Accessing Benefits
Relationship Building
Money Management
Employment and Voluntary Work Support
Personal Development
Substance Use/Abuse Support
Aditional Women Only Safe Spaces

Where can I find a Veteran's Families Well-Being Support Programme in South West London

Our Veterans’ Families Well-Being Support Programme is currently available for families living in the South West and West London Boroughs of: Merton, Wandsworth, Sutton, Kingston, Richmond, Hammersmith and Fulham.

How can the programme be accessed?

We maintain a simple double-pronged referral process, welcoming both self-referrals and referrals via trusted professionals and our partner organisations. Anyone who feels they may benefit from our support can contact the charity directly via telephone on: 02038728217 or email info@cdars.org.uk for further information and direct referral into our Veterans’ Families Well-Being Support Programme. Or you can always email our Veteran’s Families Well-Being Support Programme Coordinator directly on: ellie.grigsby@cdars.org.uk

Who can access our programme?

Any spouse, partner, dependent, carer-giver, or adult child (18+) of a veteran living in the Boroughs of Merton, Wandsworth, Sutton, Richmond, Kingston, Hammersmith and Fulham.

Introducing Community Discovery and Recovery Services

Veteran Family Support

Advice, Guidance, Advocacy and Information from 1:1s

In-House Counselling

Peer Mentorship

Support Groups

What we offer

Services Offered

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find a Veteran's Families Well-Being Support Programme in South West London

How can the programme be accessed?

Who can access our programme?