About us

The Veterans Support Northern Ireland Online Shop is operated by AA (Andy Allen) Veterans Support, a Belfast-based charity supporting veterans, serving personnel, and their families across Northern Ireland.

On 14 July 2008, while serving in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, Ranger Andy Allen was severely injured by a Taliban improvised explosive device (IED). The moment that changed his life forever was later featured in the BAFTA-winning documentary Wounded, which followed his long and difficult road to recovery.

But Andy’s story didn’t end there. Through conversations with veterans across Northern Ireland, it became clear that many were struggling to access the support they needed. Using the platform created by the documentary, Andy joined forces with other former service personnel to take action.

In June 2011, Andy Allen Veterans Support was founded — built by veterans, for veterans, working to ensure no one is left behind.

What began around a kitchen table grew into a small office, and then into one of Northern Ireland’s first dedicated drop-in, treatment and training centres, based just off the Crumlin Road in Belfast. Over the years, the organisation’s services have expanded significantly — from practical support and advocacy to mental health provision, respite, and peer engagement.

We may be a small charity, but we offer a broad range of support that makes a real difference:

One-to-one advice with benefits, housing, pensions, and appeals

Counselling and trauma support from people with lived military experience

Drop-in space, support groups, and breakfast clubs

Respite breaks for individuals and families

Employability and personal development opportunities

Although based in Belfast, our work stretches across Northern Ireland, thanks to a committed outreach team and a network of counsellors.

Who we support:

Anyone who has served in the Army, Royal Navy, or RAF

Families and dependants of Armed Forces personnel living in, or planning to live in, Northern Ireland

Dependants of veterans living in Northern Ireland

Members of the Reserve Forces and their dependants

The impact of our work is best understood through the people we support. One family recently shared:

“My dad hadn’t been away in years, so getting the chance to take him to the Veterans Support NI respite caravan in Millisle meant so much to us. His Army service is long behind him, but when we arrived and your team greeted us and showed us around, it clearly meant a lot to him. He was in his element chatting away with them – they had so much in common. It was lovely to see him so relaxed and happy, and those moments will stay with us.”

Our mental health services have also helped many take important steps forward:

“Thank you for a wonderful stay at your caravan. All we did was turn up – the hard work had already been done for us. The weather wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t dampen our spirits. I’m especially grateful for the chance to talk to a counsellor while we were there. It was so much easier away from home. My wife took the kids for ice cream while I had a good, honest chat and came away with ideas for coping. I wouldn’t have opened up like that at home. One step at a time.”

Our online shop helps fund this support. Every purchase contributes directly to the services veterans and their families rely on – whether it’s a counselling session, a welfare appointment, or just a space to feel understood.

Veterans Support NI continues to grow, shaped by the voices and experiences of those it serves – with one clear aim: to do everything possible to ensure that no veteran or their family ever feels forgotten.