Who we are
The Poppy Factory supports veterans and family members on their journey into employment, helping them overcome any barriers.
The veterans we support can face some of the most challenging situations in the Armed Forces community, with complex mental and physical health conditions often compounded by issues such as homelessness and addiction.
Family members too may face similar challenges, with caring responsibilities for children and veterans adding further pressure. Our services empower each of these individuals to make positive progress on their own terms.
Have you served for one day or more in the Armed Forces or Reserves?
Do you consider yourself to have a mental or physical health condition? This does not need to be linked to your time in service.
Are you unemployed and thinking about moving back into work? We may also be able to help if you are being made redundant, are absent through long-term sickness, or your role negatively impacts your health.
If so, please ask about our one-to-one employment support.
Our impact
Veterans are at the heart of our service. We empower people to plan their own future, supporting them into employment that reflects their aspirations, skills and circumstances.
Specialist support and meaningful employment can be truly life-changing, significantly improving confidence, financial security and health and wellbeing.
Many veterans and family members come to us years after leaving the Armed Forces. They may be struggling to adapt to the civilian world and experience complex barriers to work. Nearly four in five of those we support report a mental health condition and almost half have multiple health conditions.
We help members of the Armed Forces community to secure work and thrive in the civilian workplace, significantly improving their financial security, confidence, health and wellbeing. And we work closely with other charities and services, receiving many referrals from organisations such as The Royal British Legion, Jobcentre Plus and NHS services.
Each year, we help hundreds of veterans and family members to start new jobs and make positive progress on thier jounrey towards employment.
We work with some amazing people who have served in the UK’s Armed Forces. We help them overcome barriers to move towards employment in the civilian world.
Major George Howson MC founded The Poppy Factory in 1922. His vision was to provide work for wounded, sick and injured veterans of the First World War. A thriving community of veterans and families was quickly established in Richmond upon Thames and legacy continues today.