Outside the Wire
Veteran-led armed forces support in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire
A bespoke drug and alcohol service offering confidential advice and support to current and ex HM Forces personnel and their families, across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire.
Our highly-trained and experienced workers, who are themselves ex-Forces, have a particular understanding of the needs and issues faced by veterans, current serving personnel, and their families.
We offer innovative, comprehensive support which includes confidential meetings at the location of your choice across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire. We are sensitive to the complexities of military life and the often understandable resistance to admitting the extent of any personal issues, especially those relating to: PTSD and other mental health; alcohol and drug use; domestic violence and family related issues.
Contact Outside the Wire
01603 626 123
70-80 Oak Street, Norwich
NR3 3AQ
What does Outside the Wire offer?
One-to-one support
Confidential, tailored one-to-one outreach support in the community for veterans, family members, and serving personnel affected by drug/alcohol use and/or PTSD. Covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire
Specialist family support
Norfolk and Suffolk-based family support for spouses, children, and other armed forces relatives. Includes group support, one-to-one outreach, and activities.
Group support
Our armed forces groups provide a space for like-minded adults to get together and support one another. Groups currently operate across Norfolk and Suffolk. See below for more details.
Group activities and volunteering
We provide a range of opportunities for people to get involved in activities and volunteering. These have included museum visits, war grave clean ups, and trips abroad to Ypres, among others.
Armed forces groups timetable
Our military veteran groups from Outside The Wire have restarted, providing an opportunity for like minded adults to get together and support each other.
Norfolk groups:
-
Norwich, Oak Street - Tuesday evenings - 18.30 to 20.30
-
The Shed, Sheringham - Thursday evenings – 1900 to 2100
-
RAF Marham Chaplaincy Centre – (aimed at dependants and serving military personnel) - Fortnightly, day tbc – 1000 to 1430
Suffolk groups:
-
Bury St. Edmunds – every Tuesday 1000 – 1200hrs – The really rather good café – jointly with NSFT
-
Woodbridge – the last Wednesday of the month 1000 – 1200hrs – The Tea Hut café - run by Ian Jacob.
-
Ipswich – The last Tuesday of each month 1000 – 1200hrs – The Key Café – contact us for more info – this will be a joint OTW / NSFT / Blue light support group.
-
Lowestoft – The last Thursday of each month 1000 – 1200hrs – The Lord Kitchener Hotel.
Meet the team
On leaving the military there is minimal support available for former servicemen and women to deal with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression related to their military service. They may also find themselves exposed to problems they had experienced before service.
Someone with PTSD often relives a traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks, and may experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt. They may also have problems sleeping, such as insomnia, and find concentrating difficult. These symptoms are often severe and persistent enough to have a significant impact on the person's day-to-day life. Without specialist support, it is not uncommon for a sufferer of PTSD to 'self-medicate' to alleviate the symptoms they are experiencing which can in turn lead to addiction, dangerous behaviour, relationship issues, debt and worsening mental and physical health. Suicide and death from substance misuse issues are too common a reality.
When ex-military personnel receive support from Outside The Wire, they find it refreshing to talk openly and frankly with someone who 'speaks the same language' and understands their background.
In their own words: testimonials
"I very much value the conversations I have with my worker. She is non-judgemental, honest, and respectful. I have benefited from her direct and informed approach with evident empathy for the experiences of veterans."
"If I/we (veterans) didn't have Outside the Wire, I'm not sure how things would be at the moment, especially during this difficult time. So bless you all for being there for such a small cog as me. You really do make a difference."
"If you had not been there for me at my time of need, I believe, hand on heart, that my son would be growing up without a Dad. I owe my life to Outside the Wire"
"(Outside the Wire) truly understands the Armed Forces world from the inside - the staff are ex-forces who can relate to difficulties living in civilian world and have knowledge of the difficulties ex-service personnel can experience."
Thank you to all of our supporters
Associate member
