Army Welfare Service marks 30 years of supporting the Army community

The Army Welfare Service (AWS) is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of dedicated support to soldiers, their families, and the wider Armed Forces community, both in the UK and overseas.

The service is delivered by a mix of military personnel from the Adjutant General’s Corps (AGC) and civilian specialist welfare workers, who are led by civilian registered social workers.

As the army's professional welfare provider, it offers both specialist welfare and community support.

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Specialist welfare

Staff provide accessible, independent, confidential and professional specialist services – in doing so, they aim to strengthen and enhance the resilience and resourcefulness of personnel and their families.

Specialist advice can also be provided to the Chain of Command and outside agencies, which is delivered by army welfare workers and personnel recovery unit social workers.

Specialist welfare services help with matters such as domestic abuse, child and adult safeguarding, bereavement, relationship difficulties, stress and anxiety management, emotional well-being, and signposting.

Community support

Community support secures or directly provides learning and personal development opportunities for military personnel and their families, wherever they are living, to promote a stronger sense of community and well-being.

Non-formal education opportunities are provided for children within the community through youth and play centres that run year round and across the UK and overseas.

Community support also delivers additional activities during school holidays, including Easter and summer programmes along with offsite residential experiences. 

History of AWS

AWS traces its roots back to 1977, when the Families Housing and Welfare Service (FHWS) was established within the AGC to provide structured assistance to service families. 

The modern framework of AWS was shaped by the Welfare Review of 2001–02, which laid the foundations for the organisation as it operates today.

As AWS marks its 30th anniversary, it continues to adapt to the changing needs of the Armed Forces community to provide care and support.