What is FLAGS?
FLAGS (Forces Link Alcohol & Gambling Support) is a free, confidential service delivered by The Society of St James and supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC). It is designed to help serving Royal Navy and Royal Marines, full time and reserve personnel, who can access confidential support for alcohol and gambling related issues.
The service provides flexible, person-centred support tailored specifically to the realities of military life, including one-to-one sessions, interventions, and ongoing aftercare. Support is accessible in multiple ways in person (on or off base), online, by phone, email, and during deployment (or drafted elsewhere), making it easy to engage wherever personnel are located.
FLAGS has expanded to place counsellors within key service areas, including Portsmouth, across Scotland, and the South West of England. This improves local access, responsiveness, and connection with Armed Forces communities. The team shares lived experience of armed forces life, helping them understand the unique pressures personnel may face.
All services can be delivered in person on or off base, online, or via phone and email. The service also supports personnel while deployed (or drafted elsewhere), ensuring continuity of care wherever they are in the world.
FLAGS remains committed to providing responsive, flexible, and accessible support, recognising the unique challenges faced by Armed Forces personnel and the importance of early intervention and ongoing care.
Referrals can be made through self-referral, DCMH (Department of Community Mental Health) teams, medical officers, or the Chain of Command, with collaboration from Chaplains, Aggie Westons and other support agencies.
Contact Details
Request for support, and referrals by email or telephone in your nearest, or base location:
For all ships and units based in Hampshire and the South East of England, we are based in HMNB Portsmouth:
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07851 721 438
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FLAGS.portsmouth@ssj.org.uk
For all ships and units based in the South West of England, we are based in HMNB Devonport (Plymouth):
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07564 186875
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FLAGS.southwest@ssj.org.uk
For all ships and units based in Scotland or North of England/Wales, we are based in HMNB Clyde (Faslane):
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07546 816580
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FLAGS.scotland@ssj.org.uk
How we support
All one-to-one sessions are confidential, with information only shared with consent or in cases of serious risk.
Support options include:
- Counselling
- One-to-one sessions
- Alcohol and gambling interventions
- Self-assessment tools and online workbooks
- Financial advice
- Online support and digital interventions
- Unlimited aftercare