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.
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November sees an influx in support for UK veterans
Images from the Remembrance and Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA) conferences.
November has been a busy month for the veteran ecosystem, with organisations around the country coming together to show their support and commemoration ahead of Armistice Day.
In poignant tributes to the nations heroes, the spirit of remembrance is embodied in various events and initiatives honouring those who have served and sacrificed for their country throughout November.
This year saw veterans attending remembrance events across the UK with their Nuclear Test Medals, highlighting the UK governments commitment to those who have served.
In a landmark gathering, the OVA hosted their second annual conference in York. The evening brought together veterans, academia and the third sector to advocate for and encourage meaningful discussions and initiatives that addressed well-being and support for our nations veterans.
November also saw the annual Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations (RFCA) connecting defence with society conference, which was opened by General Lord Houghton, GCB CBE DL. The event focused on addressing the challenges of an unstable global context and bolstering the UKs reserve forces, with emphasis on the role of societal engagement to achieve this.
More information on the RFCA conference
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.
Grants and funding
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:
Veterans Strategy Action Plan
Veterans strategy action plan.
Top commitments in the Veterans Strategy Action Plan include:
employment and skills
healthcare
understanding the veteran community
View Veterans Strategy Action Plan: 2022 to 2024.
Veterans employment
An employers guide to hiring veterans
The employers guide to hiring veterans (published by the OVA) was launched by the Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP, Minister For Veteran Affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses HQ in London.
The guide provides support to organisa