OLD - Armed Forces Community Covenant
The purpose of this Covenant is to encourage support and raise awareness for the Armed Forces Community working and residing in Gloucestershire and to recognise and remember the sacrifices made by members of this Armed Forces Community, particularly those who have given the most. This includes in-Service and ex-Service personnel their families and widow(er)s in Gloucestershire.
For veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces. There are Veterans Breakfast Clubs all over the UK and further afield that all share the same ethos of mutual support and understanding. Breakfast Clubs exist to facilitate veterans (also quite often current service personnel) meeting face to face in a relaxed, safe, social environment.
They meet on a regular basis at local venues and contacts (attached) for further information are enclosed.
Whether you are currently serving, or have previously served in the Armed Forces, you may need some help with benefits and financial advice.
For further information please contact the Benefits Team
Joining Forces Gloucestershire is a partnership between Age UK Gloucestershire and SSAFA (Gloucestershire Branch) to support local older veterans to have a safe and comfortable later life.
More about the covenant
If you have any questions about the covenant or local services for armed forces personnel and veterans, please contact us:
The Rifles & Recent Defence announcements
Following on from the publication of Rifles County brochures in early 2021 the Colonel Commandant of The Rifles has now written the attached letter. General Sir Patrick Sanders explains how change is impacting on battalions of The Rifles
Latest news
The Armed Forces Act 2021
The Armed Forces Bill had its first reading in January 2021 and has been working its way through Parliament and on 15 December 2021 gained Royal Ascent. It amends the Armed Forces Act 2006 and it has enshrined the Armed Forces Covenant in law for the first time to help prevent service personnel and veterans being disadvantaged when accessing essential services like healthcare, education and housing
What is the Armed Forces Covenant Duty?
The Armed Forces Covenant Duty is a legal obligation placed on relevant bodies, when exercising relevant functions, to have due regard to the three principles of the Armed Forces Covenant:
1.the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the armed forces;
2.the principle that it is desirable to remove disadvantages arising for Service people from membership, or former membership, of the armed forces ;and,
3.the principle that special provision for Service people may be justified by the effects on such people of membership, or former membership, of the armed forces.
It builds on –but is distinct from –the pre-existing voluntary Armed Forces Covenant and does not replace the pledge.
The Covenant Duty is designed to raise awareness of the principles of the Covenant, and in turn improve decision-making in respect of the Armed Forces Community and it requires that decisions about the development and delivery of specific services are made with conscious regard to the needs of members of the Armed Forces Community This means that, when a relevant body develops, implements and/or reviews a relevant policy, or makes decisions on its delivery of relevant services, it must consider the Covenant principles.
Who needs to have Due Regard to the principles?
The specified persons and bodies are—
(a) a local authority in England;
(b) the governing body of a maintained school in England;
(c) the proprietor of an Academy in England;
(d) a non-maintained special school;
(e) the governing body of an institution within the further education sector in England;
(f) a special post-16 institution;
(g) the National Health Service Commissioning Board;
(h) a clinical commissioning group;
(i) a National Health Service trust in England;
(j) an NHS foundation trust.
Healthcare
- Provision of services
- Quality of services
- Funding
- Co-operation between health bodies and professionals
- Functions concerning additional needs that health care bodies have a role in delivering
Education
- Admissions
- Transport
- Attendance
- Additional needs support
- Educational attainment and curriculum
- Student wellbeing
- Use of Service Pupil Premium funding (England only)
Housing
- Allocations policy for social housing
- Homelessness
- Disabled facilities grants
- Tenancy strategies (England only)
Additional support and contacts
Armed Forces Covenant (GOV.UK) - further information on support and advice, getting involved for regulars, reservists, veterans, service leavers and families
Free and 100% confidential helpline that provides a supportive, listening and signposting service for serving personnel, former members of the Armed Forces and their families.
Confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
Confidential and safe help and advice about Service-related mental health issues for the whole military community.
A local group of veterans in the five valleys, looking to create a hub of ex-forces. We are sending smoke out to any veteran to L.R.V.
Share what's troubling you anonymously. Free for serving personnel, veterans, family members and carers.
NHS 111
You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency (available 24 hours). You can also get information from the National Health Service on conditions, treatments, local services and healthy living.
Information on claiming AFCS, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Medical Discharges and Pension Forecast Requests.
Lifelong support to Service Personnel and Military Veterans with injuries, illnesses and wounds sustained while serving in the British Armed Forces.
Helping members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families.