Ministry Of Defence
This collaborative project is delivered by Defence Relationship Management and Cobseo (The Confederation of Service Charities). The Hub enables forces-friendly organisations across all sectors to showcase the continued value of the UKs highly skilled veteran community.
Latest news
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) logo.
2.8 million awarded in the final round of the Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities programme
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) has announced the allocation of over 2.8 million to 32 targeted projects in the final round of the Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities programme. This brings the total grant funding to more than 11.8 million since the programmes inception in April 2022.
The projects include:
- Race Council Cymru - awarded 99,851 to establish a support network for ethnic minority veterans and their families in Wales
- The Poppy Factory received 100,000 to expand the Families Employment Service, providing specialist employment support for adult family members of veterans
- Beyond the Battlefields project, Pace, has been awarded 100,000 to develop a sustainable support structure for LGBT+ veterans and their families in Northern Ireland
- 39 Engineer Regiment was awarded 50,000 to deliver 4 off-grid respite pods at Kinloss Barracks in Scotland, providing soldiers with a space for socialising and relaxation
In total, the programme has supported 126 projects across the UK, addressing a wide range of needs within the Armed Forces communities. These projects have made improvements in areas such as mental health, social isolation, employment, and physical health.
Visit the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust website for more information and latest updates.
Regional Support Services - The Association of Service Drop-In Centres (ASDIC)
With 170 members in 230 locations around the UK, the Association of Service Drop-In Centres (ASDIC) supports the rapidly growing network of small organisations supporting veterans and their families in the community across the UK.
These organisations can vary, from the highly evolved which are able to provide clinical support, to the activity-based organisations ideally suited as a social prescribing solution, to the small Drop-Ins and Breakfast Clubs.
ASDIC brings cohesion to this network providing guidance, support, and establishment of best practice. Sustainability of the Centres is also a longer-term benefit of ASDICs work.
ASDIC also delivers the ground-breaking VetCheck service in partnership with Veterans UK (MoD), enabling ASDIC to verify service for our members within 48 hours. The ASDIC network frequently provides the entry point to the support provided by the senior stakeholders and statutory services from across the veteran welfare landscape.
Sacha Moravek from the ACDIS said:
What starts with a cuppa and simple camaraderie can often develop into bringing a veteran together with the support they may not have realised they needed or were entitled to, providing a vital gateway to those who may be wary of authority when seeking support. This is vital, especially for those dependent on our centres for support. Our member organisations are frequently dealing with suicide prevention, or issues around drug and alcohol abuse, and the loss or collapse of this lifeline can trigger crisis or worse for an individual.
Find out more at www.asdic.org.uk.
Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs
The Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs (AFVBC) is now the single largest veterans organisation in the UK, and membership growing weekly.
With over 400 clubs nationally and 15 overseas, the AFVBC seeks to end social isolation for veterans. The clubs bring people with a connection to the UK Armed Forces together and offers a chance to reminisce, share stories and interact with a community that is missed by most when leaving the Armed Forces.
The AFVBC is also conducting five pilot programmes in HM prisons across the UK, building a Armed Forces community within HM prisons. These pilot programmes help with social interaction, rehabilitation and a support structure for veterans who are currently within the criminal justice system.
Lindsay Beadnall from the AFVBC, said:
The AFVBC acts as a beacon of hope and a landmark for those who are at HMP Stocken. It gives them a community, purpose, a chance to learn new skills. And somewhere to head to when they leave HMP Stocken. Our young veterans are gaining awards and are developing their skills for employment on their release. It gives most a second chance.
HM Armed Forces Veteran ID Card
Veterans from across the UK can now apply for their veterans ID Card. The roll-out, which started in January, enables veterans to apply for their card digitally.
The new digital verification service includes:
- online applications via GOV.UK
- identity checks using GOV.UKs new One Login service
- automated service checking to confirm veteran status for most applications using MOD service records databases
- increasing MODs secure card-printing capacity to deal with the expected applications using a new high-capacity card printing machine
A paper-based application process is also available for veterans who are unable to use the online service.
Find out more information about the Veteran ID card.
Grants and funding
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) logo.
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) supports the Armed Forces Covenant by delivering funding programmes that create real change to Armed Forces communities across the UK.
The Trust is a charity and are classified asa Non-Departmental Public Body, or NDPB. The Trust looks after the Armed Forces Covenant Fund, worth 10m each year.
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund has four broad funding themes now and in future years.
1. non-core healthcare services for veterans
2. removing barriers to family life
3. extra support, both in and after Service, for those who need help
4. measures to integrate military and civilian communities and allow the Armed Forces community to participate as citizens
Find out more about eligibility and grant support
What is a veteran?
Veterans are defined as anyone who has served for at least one day in His Majestys Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations. There are currently 2.4 million veterans in Great Britain.
There are 2.4 million veterans in Great Britain. 40% of veterans are 16-64 years old. The percentage of working age veterans is set to increase to 44% by 2028. 60% of veterans are over 65. 75% of veterans own their home or have a mortgage. It is estimated that 3% to 6% of those sleeping rough have served in the armed forces. 75% are healthy, 17% have fair health and 8% have bad health. Want to learn more? Tune in to our being forces friendly podcast.
Listen to our team of veterans talk about their experiences: transitioning from the UK Armed Forces and what the word veteran means to them.
You can find and listen to all of our Being Forces Friendly podcast episodes on Anchor.
Share your story: what does the word veteran mean to you? Use the hashtag #ProudToBeAVeteran on the platforms below: