This article was accepted into the corpus but its outbound wikilinks were never NER-processed — typical at the deepest BFS hop or when the run's entity cap was reached. No expansion funnel to show.
| Not Forgotten Association | |
|---|---|
| Name | Not Forgotten Association |
| Type | Charity |
| Founded | 1920 |
| Founder | Anne Haynes |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Area served | United Kingdom |
| Mission | Support wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women |
Not Forgotten Association.
The Not Forgotten Association is a United Kingdom-based veterans' charity established in the aftermath of World War I to provide recreational and welfare support to veterans. Drawing on traditions of postwar philanthropy associated with figures like Field Marshal Douglas Haig and institutions such as the Royal British Legion, the charity has developed partnerships with military hospitals, regimental associations, and national commemorations. Over the course of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries it has worked alongside organizations including St John Ambulance, Help for Heroes, Royal British Legion Industries, SSAFA, and the Imperial War Museums to deliver services to wounded, injured and sick personnel from conflicts ranging from the World War II era through deployments in Iraq War and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021).
Founded in 1920 by Anne Haynes and contemporaries concerned with the social needs of returning veterans after Battle of the Somme and the wider consequences of First World War, the organisation sought to restore morale through leisure and outings. During the interwar years it worked alongside Ministry of Pensions initiatives and supported veterans associated with regiments such as the Coldstream Guards, Royal Fusiliers, and Royal Artillery. In the Second World War period the charity expanded links with military hospitals like Queen Alexandra Hospital and naval establishments such as HMS Victory. Post‑1945, Not Forgotten Association adapted to care for veterans from conflicts including the Korean War, Falklands War, Northern Ireland conflict, and late twentieth‑ and early twenty‑first‑century operations. Partnerships with rehabilitation centres including Help for Heroes Recovery Centre and museums such as National Army Museum have shaped modern outreach.
The organisation's mission is to enhance quality of life for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women through recreational, social and therapeutic activities. Core activities include arranging entertainment drawn from theatrical traditions exemplified by institutions like the Royal Shakespeare Company and performers associated with West End theatre, organising outings to cultural sites such as the British Museum and Tate Modern, and coordinating sporting opportunities linked to bodies like ParalympicsGB and WheelPower. It also provides doorstep welfare visits in partnership with agencies such as Veterans Aid and health services including NHS England trust hospitals. The association liaises with regimental museums like the National Maritime Museum and heritage venues including Stonehenge to create inclusive access for beneficiaries.
Membership and beneficiary groups encompass veterans from the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and Commonwealth forces who sustained injuries in campaigns from World War I to contemporary operations. Beneficiaries include recipients of decorations such as the Victoria Cross and Distinguished Service Order as well as those treated at military hospitals like Royal Hospital Chelsea and civilian rehabilitation units. The charity collaborates with veterans' networks including Royal British Legion branches, regimental associations for units like the Parachute Regiment and Royal Marines, and community organisations such as Age UK to identify individuals requiring support.
The association organises a calendar of events ranging from seasonal concerts featuring performers linked to Glyndebourne and English National Opera to sporting fixtures connected with bodies like Invictus Games organisers and British Paralympic Association. Annual programs include remembrance teas, garden parties at venues comparable to Buckingham Palace‑style hospitality, and carriage rides evocative of ceremonial parades such as those at Trooping the Colour. Therapeutic programs involve music therapy informed by research from institutions like Royal College of Music and outdoor activities with partners such as National Trust and English Heritage. Collaborative events with charities including SSAFA and Help for Heroes increase reach to beneficiaries across regions including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Funding sources include private donations from families associated with military traditions, grants from philanthropic trusts akin to The National Lottery Community Fund, corporate sponsorships from firms in sectors such as aviation and finance, and legacies from estates linked historically to figures like Sir Winston Churchill supporters. Governance is administered by a board of trustees comprising former service personnel, legal professionals, and civic leaders with links to institutions like House of Commons and House of Lords. Compliance aligns with regulatory frameworks overseen by bodies such as the Charity Commission for England and Wales and reporting standards informed by organisations like Institute of Fundraising.
Over a century the association has been recognised for improving wellbeing among veterans, contributing to social reintegration following service in conflicts including Gulf War (1990–1991), Kosovo War, and counter‑insurgency operations in Iraq War (2003–2011). Awards and patronage have included support from members of the British Royal Family and citations in publications from military historians associated with Sir John Keegan and institutions like the Imperial War Museum. Evaluations conducted with partners such as King's College London and health services have shown benefits to recipients' morale, social connectedness, and access to rehabilitation pathways. The association continues to feature in commemorative programmes alongside national events such as Remembrance Sunday and collaborates with cultural organisations ranging from Royal Albert Hall to regional arts councils.