Armed Forces Community Covenant
Stroud District Council work to support members of the armed forces, veterans and their families.
This page provides information about the Armed Forces covenant in Stroud district and links to help and support for members of the Armed Forces and their families.
The Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant is a nationwide agreement between the armed forces community, the nation and the government. It recognises "the value serving personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country."
The key principles of the covenant are that:
- no member of the armed forces community should face disadvantage when accessing local services; and
- in some circumstances special treatment may be appropriate, especially for the injured and bereaved.
Stroud District Council has signed and is wholly committed to the Armed Forces Covenant.
What we do
We provide advice and support for our statutory services such as housing, welfare and financial support and healthy living.
Other services such as education and social services are the responsibility of Gloucestershire County Council
Stroud District Council has an Armed Forces Champion Group
Stroud District Council has an Armed Forces Champion Group which is led by our two Armed Forces Councillor Champions, Cllr Steve Robinson and Cllr Loraine Patrick and includes council officers with useful skills, knowledge and experience. Two members of the group are veterans, and one is a serving reservist. It meets regularly to make sure the aims of the covenant are being followed.
Funding and grants
- The Royal British Legion provides grants to help with urgent assistance to get through a temporary crisis or if you need help at home
- The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust delivers funding programmes worth £10m a year
Links to further information and support
- Gloucestershire County Council: Education, employment, social support and other useful links
- Veterans UK: support for veterans and their families, including a helpline, Veterans Welfare Service, Defence Transition Services and injury/bereavement compensation scheme payments. Veterans UK is part of the Ministry of Defence
Local veterans’ groups
There are several independent veteran support groups in the Stroud district.
- Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs
- Combined Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs
- SSSAFA (the Armed Forces Charity) Gloucestershire branch
We do our best to ensure the details here are up to date, but if they aren’t, or you would like your group added, please contact us. Email: armedforceschampions@stroud.gov.uk
Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day is a chance for people to show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. There are many ways for people, communities and organisations across the country to show their support and get involved.
Armed Forces Day takes place on the last Saturday each June.
Reserves Day
Reservists give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career to ensure that should their country require them, they would be ready to serve as part of the military.
Reserves Day was created to highlight and recognise the valuable contribution Reservists make to our Armed Forces, and are encouraged to wear their uniform on the day.
In 2023, Reserves Day is being celebrated on Wednesday 21 June.