Who Are We?

AFOS is an award winning regional partnership between local authorities and housing associations in the North East providing a dedicated service to the Armed Forces Community.

Gateshead Council are the lead organisation in AFOS but works in close partnership with the members of AFOS to provide a point of contact for the Armed Forces Community in the different local authorities including County Durham, Gateshead, and Newcastle.

We can help with a wide range of issues as we are located in social housing and have strong links with other local authority services and service charities.

Spencer Wiggins

County Durham Outreach

I served in 1st Battalion The Kings Own Royal Border Regiment from 1979 - 2003 and enjoyed postings in Germany, the UK, the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo and spent three years as a training instructor.

Neil Black

Gateshead Outreach

I served 7 years in the British Army as a Combat Engineer, before leaving to join Northumbria Police and serving for 26 years. Both careers have provided me substantial experience with problem solving and communicating with people from all walks of life.


I am fully aware of the many unexpected challenges and obstacles that face service personnel, and their families, when leaving the Armed Forces.

Steve Roden

Newcastle Outreach

I served a full 36 year career in the British Army, primarily in the Royal Army Pay Corps and then the Adjutant General’s Corps. I have been fortunate enough to have served in Northern Ireland, Belize, Germany, Brunei, Gibraltar, East Timor, Angola and Bosnia.


I was an Army child and my wife is still serving so I have a unique insight into all areas of military life and the challenges faced by the Armed Forces Community and their families.

Steve Winter

County Durham Outreach

I spent 8 years in the Royal Navy leaving in 1984 as a Leading Marine Engineering Mechanic followed by 12 months in the Merchant Navy.


During my time in the Royal Navy I enjoyed deployments to the Mediterranean, the West Indies, the United States, Europe and Nato Forces Channel. I have also served in the Merchant Navy.

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