| Is Forces Online known by any other names? |
Yes, you may see some of our registered names such as Forces Online CIO. Forces Online Scotland and Forces Online Northern Ireland. Collectively known as Forces Online. |
| What is the best way to contact Forces Online? | All the contact for the organisation is centralised which mean the admin department covers all four Countries in the UK. Call 0300 300 2288. Use the Conatc Page. Use the Live Chat to send a message or visit the Veterans VirtualHub |
| How long has Forces Online been helping armed forces veteran’s, their families and dependents? |
Forces Online commenced in Sepetember 2013 as a combined services social media group, It became a registered CIC in February 2016 with a mission and registration to support veterans in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In April 2020 Forces Online CIO was registered with the Charities Commission in England & Wales, after converting from a CIC to a CIO, In January 2021 Forces Online Scotland was registered with OSCR in Scotland as a Cross-Border Charity. In 2025 Forces Online returned to Northern Ireland and is going through the process to register with the Northern Ireland Charity Commission. Currently Forces Online Northern Ireland is on the register of intent as a section 167. |
| Who is the Founder and current CEO of Forces Online? |
Len Chappell is the Founder of Forces Online, and he is still the CEO of the organisation which manages all four UK Countries. Len can easily be reached through his email len.chappell@forcesonline.org.uk or phone on 0300 300 2288. |
| What Does Forces Online do to help veterans? |
Helping veterans is a very broad term. Initially the organisation was set-up for providing information and signposting to them, which we still do through the Veterans Directory.The Veterans Directory started in 2014 and is one of the leading lights in veterans information services. The Veterans Gateway was established in 2017 following a two million pound investement and sold as the First Point of Contact. It closed in 2025 and some of the listings have moved to the Office of Veterans Affairs and no proper search system. They still reference themselves as the Veterans Gateway but in their description they call it a Veterans Directory which is simply not true. Other projects seperated onto their own websites are: Welfare Support which is our main Welfare Team that can handle anything between complex PTSD issues right down to simple enquiries and information requests. It used the Tom Howat Memorial Harship Fund to help in some Hardship Cases. Forces Online Members which also incorperates the Veterans VirtualHub link and openeing times. Forces Online Members is a conceipt thay can provide Fast Track services to its members and many more advantages. The system also combines corperate membership as Forces Online is extending their referral opportunities to Employers with armed forces veteran employees. Read the site details for more information. The Veterans VirtualHub has been operating since 2020 and is a confidential service managed by a group of veterans, and has been part of ASDIC from the start and a COBSEO member since 2025. It combines services with the Good Things Foundation,Turn2Us and many military support organisations within the armed forces community. Walk of Life is promoting health and fitness and a way to help fund veterans services within Forces Online. It is connected with Dire Straits following their permission to use their official Walk of Life soundtrack. Our motto which has remained the same since the start is Helping Armed Forces Veteran's, their families and dependents wherever we can. which is a very broad staatement and you just never know whats coming next. The help can include direct and signposting for:
You can find this help through our project websites which are all linked to our main charity website or use the LiveChat to get information and pass messages to us. |
| Where is the Forces Online Office? |
We believe that spending money on resources that do not directly help veterans is wasteful, so our Head office is a virtual registered office is based in Swindon at:: Unit 5, Workshed Carriage Works . London Street . Swindon . Wiltshire . SN1 5DG We have similar arrangements in Scotland and Northern Ireland. (Please call if you want to know more). Because of our cross-border setup all the administration is run from here in Swindon. Our administrators and staff work from home with their own official email addresses. You may come across one or two in the communities. The majority of the team are volunteers who peviously served in the British armed forces and based in all four countries. You can chat with us direct, especially if you need to know more via the Veterans VirtualHub during opening time. Our Logos and colours are very distinctive and can be seen in our Media Pack To keep everything unique we use a Tudor Rose addition to our logo so that we don’t misrepresent ourselves though other organisations logos such as the poppy. Everything on our sites is unique to Forces Online. Forces Online started life as Forces United.Both forcesonline and forcesunited are trademarked which can also be seen in the Media Pack. |
| How we raise funds? |
We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator https://www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/directory/forces-online-cio We raise money through: · Direct fundraising/awareness · Grants · Donations · eBay Sales · Merchandise · Small Lottery · Collection Tins · Web Adverting · Walk of Life |
| Where does the money go? |
Forces Online provides online services to armed forces veterans, their families and dependents. It provides both direct and indirect help and has an open Virtual Office open during the week and an extensive comm’s system which is open 24x7. It is hard to breakdown what we do because every case is different and some just need a response whilst others may need a solid support package. This help and support is extended to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. What we can say is during our office hours we are very responsive often answering our comms input (apart from phone) within 15 minutes. There are costs involved in all this including raising funds. We are happy to chat with anyone about this who drops into our Virtual Offices between 10.30am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday. We can arrange hub times outside of the ones mentioned by appointment in which case can you please call 0300 300 2288 to book an appointment. We process our accounts on the charities commission website on an annual basis at https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5142102 Anyone wishing to complain about our fundraising can do so at complaints@forcesonline.org.uk Anyone who wishes to praise our service can do so at https://uk.trustpilot.com/reviews/forcesonline.org.uk |
| As a member of a Forces Online team what do I do if I am asked questions about the organisation outside of my remit? |
Anyone enquiring about the services we provide or experiencing negative comments should diirect the enquirer to the 0300 300 2288 number or to email the CEO direct at len.chappell@forcesonline.org.uk, Len also works most weekdays in the Virtual Offices on the Veterans VirtualHub If the complaint or negativity is about Len then email george.dryburgh@forcesonline.org.uk (Chairman) We have an extensive contact page which can be found on our main website HERE |
| How and why was Forces Online formed? |
Following 23 years working with children with extensive issues Len realised that although there are many veterans support agencies in the U.K., these are still hard to find. Since the start in 2013 many things have impacted on and inspired change at Forces Online. Len still believes in the principles that people who have served in the armed forces should be looked after, and he and the team embrace the armed forces covenant which Forces Online signed in 2014 In 2022/23 Len talking about the formation of Forces Online on Video HERE |
| Do we need any more helpers? |
Yes to find out more click HERE You will need to be living in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales. Please feel free to call for an informal chat on 0300 300 2288 or visit the VirtualHub |
| Can I donate to the organisation? | Yes, visit our main donation page HERE |
| Can I link to Forces Online through Social Media? | Yes you can link to Forces Online through our social media links page where you can also link to the organisation. HERE |
| Can I speak to a member of the Central Admin Team in person? | Between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday you can login And talk to a member of the team through our Veterans VirtualHub project. Find out more See our opening times and link to join HERE |
| What Forces Online is looking for! |
Volunteer Opportunities with Forces OnlineMake a Difference to the Armed Forces Community Forces Online is expanding across the UK and is seeking dedicated volunteers to help support veterans, serving personnel, reservists, and their families. We work alongside charities, community groups, local authorities, and organisations that support the Armed Forces community. We are currently recruiting volunteers for a variety of rewarding roles, with opportunities available throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Senior Leadership OpportunitiesSenior Veterans Support Coordinators (County-Based)We are seeking a Senior Veterans Support Coordinator for every county group. This key leadership role involves:
Other Volunteer OpportunitiesNational and Regional Roles
Administration & Support Roles
Community & Welfare Roles
Who Should Apply?Many of these positions are ideal for:
Interested in Joining Us?To find out more or apply for any of these roles: ? Call: 0300 300 2288 ? Live Chat: Leave your contact details on our website, along with the best time for us to contact you. We can provide promotional materials, including banners, leaflets, and awareness resources, to help support local activities and recruitment efforts. Join Forces Online today and help us build stronger support networks for the Armed Forces community across the United Kingdom. |
