ARMED Forces are being deployed to the Gulf every day as Britain prepares for a possible war with Iraq. But what happens to the young wives and families left behind when their husbands, sons and fathers go off to battle. Here feature writer Keely Spencer-King looks at a charity which steps in.

YOU'VE left your job, your home town and your friends. You've moved your family from town to town and country to country and almost got blown up in the process.

If this sounds familiar your husband is probably in the armed forces and while he is likely to receive a medal for his efforts, if you get divorced you will be left with nothing.

That is unless you get in touch with the Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Families Association. Angela Robbins, of Johnson Avenue, Gillingham, separated from her air force husband two years ago and admits if it had not been for SSAFA and its help she would be living on the streets in a cardboard box.

SSAFA is a national charity with branches up and down the country. It aims to help servicemen and their families from the day they join the armed forces until the day they die. Dependents are also looked after, even if they are divorced, until they remarry.

It is up to the serviceman or his family to approach SSAFA and ask for anything they need. A volunteer case worker will then carry out a home visit and make a case for them to be presented to a specialist charity, such as The Royal British Legion or the Engineers' Benevolent Fund.

The things SSAFA can obtain range from wheelchairs and walking sticks, to new cookers and carpets. They can also hand out money if needed. But servicemen and their families are often unaware of SSAFA's existence.

In the past the services had a welfare officer who would advise them but now it is up to social services or word of mouth to point them in the right direction. Angela, 39, thinks this is wrong. "A lot of people don't know about SSAFA.

The wives are getting younger and a lot of women who marry serviceman just don't realise what it entails. "They will find it very hard when their partners go away for the first time. They would have moved away from their family and friends and won't know where to turn for support. The services will not help and they will just be left to get on with it."

During her 14-year marriage Angela, who grew up in Croydon, followed her husband to Northern Ireland, almost getting blown up when a bomb exploded shattering her windows. She was left waiting anxiously when he was sent off to the Falklands.

But when the couple separated her length of service meant nothing. She was ordered to leave their living quarters at Brompton Barracks, within 93 days or face a tripled rent. She was left picking up the pieces of a broken marriage while also trying to find a new house and the money to pay her increased rent.

Being a nurse working the night shift and with two young children to look after she was forced to quit her job. She decided to get in touch with SSAFA. "I tried to cope on my own but when it came to moving I needed their help." SSAFA was able to buy her a cooker, carpets and give a sum of money to help set up in her house.

She said: "If it had not been for SSAFA I would probably be out on the streets living in a cardboard box." Angela is now living in a two-bedroom maisonette.

Her sons, Thomas, 17, and Edward, 12, have to share a bedroom. She is getting help from SSAFA after she was told she would have to pay the triple rent she had accrued. As well as financial support, SSAFA provides emotional support and counselling. Donna Glover, 38, of Carpeaux Close, Chatham, found herself in exactly the same situation as Angela, although her husband was a regimental sergeant major.

When they separated after 17 years she said the emotional support provided by SSAFA was essential. "You are emotionally shattered. All your friends have gone because the regiment has moved on without you. "You are left in the barracks with a rent bill threatening to rise if you don't get out and children who are upset because their dad has left.

"If it wasn't for SSAFA I would be in a terrible state. If you just want to talk they are there on the phone and if you need money for something they will help out if they can."

But it is not just young people with husbands currently in the services who benefit. SSAFA ensures that an ex-serviceman and his family are looked after until they die.

* To find out more about SSAFA, call Pat Pritchett at the Medway branch on 01634 233989.

* SSAFA was founded in 1885 to help dependents of the Army in Egypt and Sudan. n More than 150 volunteers work in Kent giving help to 700 people and comfort visits to almost 1,000.

Every year more than £400,000 is handed out to those in need. n Last month the charity heard it is to receive a £450,00 from the National Heritage Lottery Fund. n It does not give handouts or provide items itself but acts as an agent between the people and the service charities that help.