Support for the Armed Forces Community

Working Together to Support the Armed Forces Community

Fenland District Council is committed to supporting those who have served in the armed forces and their families.

Military service can lead to disadvantages not only for the person who serves, but their families too and the implications of that can last long after service is complete.

This page has been created to provide signposting and support for the armed forces community, it includes:

• Guidance on who belongs to the armed forces community
• Information on the 'Forces Connect' app
• Details of some of the main national charities supporting the armed forces community
• Support in Fenland for the armed forces community
• Grants for support of the armed forces community

Are you a member of the armed forces community?

The armed forces community includes:

• Regulars - Individuals currently serving as members of the Naval Service (including the Royal Navy and Royal Marines), Army or Royal Air Force.
• Reservists - Volunteer reservists, who form the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marine Reserve, Territorial Army and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and regular reservists, who comprise the Royal Fleet Reserve, Army Reserve and Royal Air Force Reserve.
• Veterans - Those that have served at least one day in HM Armed Forces, whether as a regular or reservist.
• Families - The immediate family of the categories listed above. This is defined as spouses, civil partners and children for whom they are responsible, but can extend to parents, unmarried partners and other family members.
• The bereaved - The immediate family of service personnel and veterans who have died, whether that death has any connection with service.

If you are a member of the armed forces community, you may be eligible for support from many national charities and support organisations.

Forces Connect app

There is a free app called 'Forces Connect' that provides links to and information about local and national support for the armed forces community.

You can either search "Forces Connect" in your app store or use the following links:

• Forces Connect - Android
• Forces Connect - Apple

National support for the armed forces community

Below is a list of national agencies that can provide support.

• The Royal British Legion
• SSAFA - Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association
• Veterans' Gateway
• Royal Naval Benevolent Trust 
• ABF The Soldiers' Charity

Support in Fenland for the armed forces community

Please find details of local support for the armed forces community. Please do check with each organisation before making a journey.

These details were correct at the point of publication.

• Chatteris Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club: 2nd Sunday of the month, at Cross Keys Hotel, 12-16 market Hill, Chatteris PE16 6BA
• March Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club: 1st Saturday of the month at Cassanos, 78-82 High Street, March PE15 9LD
• March Armed Forces & Veterans Hub: Every Thursday, at Cassanos, 78-82 High St, March PE15 9LD
• The Whittlesey Ex-Services Brunch Club: 2nd Saturday of the month, at The New Crown Pub, 58 High Causeway, Whittlesey PE7 1QA
• Wisbech Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club: 4th Saturday of the month, at Bygones Cafe, Wisbech Town Football Club, 380 Lynn Road, Wisbech PE14 7AL

Grants for support of the armed forces community

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust supports the Armed Forces Covenant by delivering funding programmes that create change for armed forces communities across the UK.

Discover the grants available at: Armed Forces Covenant Fund