Toggle search
Toggle menu

Support for the Armed Forces Community

Help 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:

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:

National support for the armed forces community

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

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.

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

Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

Fenland District Council has signed the covenant and is committed to upholding it and supporting the armed forces community.

We recognise the contribution that service personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our organisation, our community and to the country.

What the Armed Forces Covenant says

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our armed forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty.

Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our armed forces.

In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the armed forces, whether regular or reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most, such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society. It includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the armed forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this covenant.

Principles of The Armed Forces Covenant

We, Fenland District Council, will endeavour to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant:

  • Members of the Armed Forces Community should not face disadvantages arising from their service in the provision of public and commercial services.
  • In some circumstances special provision may be justified, especially for those who have given the most, such as the injured or bereaved.

Demonstrating our commitment

We recognise the contribution that service personnel, reservists, veterans, the cadet movement and military families make to our organisation, our community and to the country.

We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant with the following actions:

  • Engage with partners to ensure that Housing Statutory Duty is observed using best practice.
  • Map local Armed Forces Covenant community members and the support that is available to them.
  • Provide all staff with access to armed forces covenant training.
  • Regularly review and improve digital and hard copy armed forces covenant  support information.
  • Promote the armed forces covenant to all partners including online training modules.
  • Engage with and support internal staff from the armed forces community.
  • Support Armed Forces Day, Remembrance, and other civic events.
  • Work through employer recognition scheme to provide best support for armed forces community potential employees and current staff.
  • Ensure that all staff are considering the armed forces community when dealing with residents.
  • Ensure that staff are able to provide the best signposting and support for customers who have a connection to the armed forces.
  • Support further collaboration between the armed forces Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Board and other partnerships.
  • Link with and support local armed forces community support groups.
  • Target armed forces community with grant funding information, training and employment support.
  • Create support information for service leavers settling in Fenland.
  • Ensure armed forces community are considered in community strategies.

Share this page

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share by email