Sandes: The Soldier’s Friend
Providing friendship and support for the military community as a witness and practical expression of the Christian faith.
What we do

A home from home
Our Centres are designed to be sanctuaries where soldiers can find a welcoming space on camp, free from rank and the pressure of military duties.

Welfare and family support
Providing support for soldiers, new recruits who face incredible pressures as they serve their country. Sandes also looks after families of soldiers through play clubs, support sessions and toddler groups.

Christian witness
A permanent Christian presence in military bases distributing Scriptures, offering pastoral support, Bible study, prayer meetings, children’s Bible Clubs etc.
Who we are

Our history
We’ve been supporting soldiers since 1869. Find out more about our founder, Elise Sandes and read how our ministry has developed over the years.

No public funds
We are a charity and receive no public funding. There have been occasional grants from trusts for capital projects but we depend on supporters to provide the core funding essential in keeping the work going.

Staffing
It is a challenging job requiring special commitment and we are grateful to our forty staff and volunteers who run the organisation and man our Centres around the UK.

Statement of faith
Sandes is a Christian mission. Read about our motivation and the values and principles that guide our work with the UK military.
CENTRES IN MILITARY BASES ACROSS THE UK
VISITS TO SANDES EACH YEAR
YEAR HISTORY
WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS
Find a centre

Ballykinler
Holywood
Head Office
Contact details: Sandes Soldiers’ & Airmen’s Centres, Unit 7, 30 Island Street, Belfast BT4 1DH
Phone: 028905 00250
Email: contact@sandes.org.uk
Testimonials
Latest news
Latest news and posts from the Sandes family

Remembering Wendy
A short article remembering Wendy Wilkins, who worked for Sandes in the late 1960s and 1970s, but sadly recently passed away.

For such a time as this
Learn how the face of Sandes has changed through the years, but the heart remains constant and unchanging.

Precious memories
Ex Fusilier David writes about his experiences at a Sandes home in the early 1980s.
Get our magazine
Download past editions
Read some of the recent editions of our magazine, Focus.
Sandes Focus Oct – Dec 18
July – September 2018 Edition
April – June 2018 Edition
January – March 2018 Edition
April – June 2016 Edition
January – March 2016 Edition
October – December 2015 Edition
July – September 2015 Edition
Help us serve and support our soldiers
Give to the work of Sandes and help us provide for the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of our soldiers and their families