Stuart Anderson MP said: "Having served in the Armed Forces myself, I am absolutely committed to making Shropshire the best place to be a veteran. There are 2.4 million veterans in Great Britain. They have given so much in service of our country and should be provided with a gold standard of support. This means ensuring that it is as easy as possible for them and their loved ones to access the right support, including by raising awareness of what support is available. The Government is providing an additional £33 million in funding to support veterans over the next three years, with a further £10 million announced in the 2023 Autumn statement for veterans’ healthcare. Below, you will find a range of support for veterans. If you need any specific support, please do not hesitate to get in touch."
Local Support
Armed Forces Community Outreach Project
This outreach project, partly funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, offers Shropshire-based veterans, serving personnel and their families, along with members who are receiving hospital care in the county, support with finding housing, education and employment, dealing with financial issues, overcoming substance abuse, improving their mental and physical health, and dealing with many other issues. The success of the project was recognised at the national Veterans Awards and continues to play a vital role in supporting community members to maintain positive health and wellbeing. The team has also run a number of events.
Government Support
Office for Veterans' Affairs
Set up in 2019, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs sits at the heart of government in the Cabinet Office, responsible for coordinating and driving forward work across the Government to support the veteran community. The OVA works to champion veterans across government, driving new approaches and policies in areas that will improve the support the nation offers veterans over the long term. It is committed to continue transforming and improving services for veterans, ensuring that they and their families have the support and services they need, whilst using data and research to better understand, and deliver for, the community.
Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) provides support to the Armed Forces community across the UK, ensuring they are treated fairly. The AFC applies throughout the UK and is delivered across all sectors of society. Every Local Authority (including Shropshire) has signed the Covenant and over 11,000 organisations have signed pledges in support of the Covenant to the wider benefit of the Armed Forces community. The Covenant was strengthened in November 2022 with the introduction of a new statutory Covenant Duty. This places a duty of due regard on specific public bodies to ensure they consider the Covenant principles when conducting their functions in healthcare, housing, and education, with the aim of improving outcomes for the Armed Forces community.
The independent Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust administers £10 million per annum, allowing organisations including charities to apply for grants that support the community. The employers’ guide to hiring veterans (published by the OVA) was launched by the Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP, former Minister For Veteran Affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses HQ in London. The guide provides support to organisations that seek guidance and best practices for the employment, retention, and career development of veterans. Case studies from existing organisations are included, providing tips and lived experiences.
Women in Defence Charter
The Women in Defence Charter was launched to improve gender balance in the defence sector, both public and private. 53 organisations have signed the charter. By signing, they pledge to be the very best at driving inclusion and diversity, providing fair opportunities for women to succeed at all levels.
Armed Forces Veteran Card
Introduced in February 2024, the Armed Forces Veteran Card provides veterans with a clear recognition of service, a tangible link to the Armed Forces, and allows them to easily verify their veteran status - making it quicker to apply for and access support and services from government, charities, and local authorities. After months of testing, veterans who left the Armed Forces before December 2018 can verify their status online with a new digital application service to receive a Veteran Card through the post. A paper-based application process is also available. Almost 100,000 cards have been issued.
Veterans Railcard
Introduced in November 2020, the Veterans’ Railcard will benefit approximately 830,000 HM Armed Forces Veterans who are not eligible for existing railcards, with more than 4,000 sold during its first week on sale.A Veterans Railcard costs just £30 and it'll save you 1/3 on rail fares throughout Great Britain for a whole year. All Service leavers are provided with a Certificate of Service as part of the discharge process. Should a veteran require a replacement for any reason, they can simply request a replacement by phoning the Joint Personnel Administration Call Centre (JPAC) on 0800 085 3600 and a replacement is issued free of charge usually within two to five working days of the request.
Veterans' Gateway
The Veterans’ Gateway enables veterans and their dependents to access state and charity support services in areas including physical and mental health, financial support, assistance with independent living, housing, and employment. We encourage veterans in need of support to contact the Veterans' Gateway on 0808 802 1212, where a range of information and support services can be accessed.
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.
Health
Op COURAGE
In 2021, NHS England commissioned Op COURAGE which is the veterans’ mental health and wellbeing service providing a comprehensive mental health treatment pathway to respond to veterans’ needs. Access to Op COURAGE is via referral or by direct contact from veterans. Over 30,000 veterans have used this service to date. Between January 2023 and December 2023, there were 6,524 referrals into Op COURAGE. There is ever increasing investment in this area with the highest level to date in 2023/2024 with planned spend of £23.5 million. Following the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, an additional £2.7 million was pledged over three years until March 2025, to expand Op COURAGE services to support those experiencing complex mental and/or physical trauma or alcohol and substance misuse. NHS England’s Veteran Covenant Health Alliance Programme works with trusts to support accreditation. With the Royal College of General Practitioners, NHS England is working to accredit general practitioner practices in England as 'veteran friendly' (Military Veteran Aware Accreditation). Veterans can also use Talking Therapies and other mental health services, commissioned by NHS England. Between January 2023 and December 2023, there were 20,485 veteran referrals into Talking Therapies services. The Samaritans Veterans app is funded by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs within the Cabinet Office
Op RESTORE
Op RESTORE provides support to veterans with service-related physical health needs using existing National Health Service clinical pathways from clinicians who understand the military context. Clinically, Op RESTORE finds the best pathway and clinician to manage the veteran’s physical health need. This may not be local to the veteran or be with a military consultant, but it will be the most appropriate clinical support. Op RESTORE has consultants in 21 NHS trusts across England and includes NHS Major Trauma Centres. Consultants supporting Op RESTORE are either serving, have served or have an understanding of the military environment, which means that Op RESTORE is able to access specialist clinical knowledge coupled with military contextual awareness to support veterans. Funding for other specialist support services for veterans in 2023/24 is approximately £6.2 million.
Housing
Op FORTITUDE
This Government is working towards ending veteran rough sleeping, having dedicated £33 million towards the provision of veteran housing. This includes Op FORTITUDE, the single referral pathway for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness. It links veterans experiencing or facing homelessness with local authorities, housing providers, and charities across the country and ensured that no veteran should be facing the need to sleep rough due to lack of provision - supporting over 450 veterans into housing to date. This is supported by up to £8.55 million in the ‘Reducing Veterans Homelessness Programme’ which has made funding available to organisations across the UK to deliver specialist help for former Armed Forces personnel in more than 900 veteran supported housing units. Providers are making available dedicated wrap-around support on health and wellbeing, recovery and employability in veteran supported housing. An additional £20 million Veteran Housing Capital Grant Programme will go towards providing extra housing for veterans through the development of new builds and the refurbishment of existing social and charitable housing, ensuring veterans have access to good quality, affordable accommodation that meets their needs. An initial £2 million refurbishment and development grant has now been opened for applications via the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Affordable Homes
We changed the law so that veterans with urgent housing needs are always given ‘additional preference’ (high priority) for social housing and that those who left the Forces within the preceding 5 years cannot be disqualified from social housing because of a local connection or residency requirement. We also published dedicated statutory social housing allocations guidance, which sets out how local authorities can support veterans and their families to access social housing. Veterans have priority for government-funded shared ownership schemes for up to 24 months after leaving the Forces and are are exempt from any local connection testing restrictions required to be eligible for First Homes, a scheme that gives local first-time buyers a discount of at least 30% on a new home. In September 2024, the new government announced that all UK Armed Forces veterans will be exempt from rules which require a connection to a local area before accessing social housing. This delivers on the commitment in the response to the consultation on social housing allocations to support the most vulnerable to access social housing.
Forces Help to Buy Scheme (FHTB)
In the 10 years since the Forces Help To Buy scheme launched, over 30,000 families have benefitted from government support, with more than £450 million in interest free loans issued to service personnel to help them get onto the property ladder. The scheme started as a pilot and was made permanent at the beginning of 2023 as a commitment in the Defence Accommodation Strategy. The Scheme is open to regular personnel and the loans can be used towards the deposit, legal fees, and other costs associated with buying a property. It offers interest-free loans of up to 50% of an individual’s annual salary, with a maximum limit of £25,000. Over 5,000 service men and women are expected to take advantage of the scheme this year, which would be the highest annual figure yet.
Work and Pensions
Our support is matched by the all-time high of veterans’ employment in the UK, with 89% employed within six months of leaving service when engaging with available support. We're determined to go further.
Veterans who need support from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in finding employment are able to get support from their Work Coach. Every Work Coach is trained on how to provide tailored and personalised support to members of the Armed Forces community and their families, working in partnership with their Armed Forces Champions. For those who might need extra specialist support, the DWP has a network of 50 Armed Forces Champions and 11 Group Leads spread throughout the Jobcentre Plus network. The Armed Forces Champions have specific responsibilities for supporting members of the Armed Forces community, including building staff capability within their districts, personally handling some claims, supporting veterans into work, and helping resolve complex cases where necessary. Veterans also have early voluntary entry to the Work and Health Programme, intensive, tailored employment support to find work. Other employment support may be available to veterans depending on their circumstances, including specialist local support provided by the third sector.
Op Prosper
Op Prosper is a wraparound employment service to support veterans into work after they leave the Armed Forces, delivered by experienced employability professionals. This will make sure that they are supported to go straight into new roles or take the next step in their existing career. Veterans and their families will be able to contact the Forces Employment Charity Veteran Support Team on 0121 262 3058 to receive free support from specialist career advisors to explore opportunities that their enhance success and prosperity, regardless of where they are in the UK. Employers who would like to learn more about Op PROSPER should send an email to [email protected].
Career Transition Partnership
The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) has helped over 300,000 Service leavers transition from military to civilian life as smooth and successful as possible. 83 percent of those supported gain employment within 6 months of discharge – higher than the employment rate of the wider population. The CTP delivers an integrated resettlement provision consisting of four key programmes. The Core Resettlement Programme is available to those who have served more than six years and all those medically irrespective of time served. They are entitled to up to 35 days Graduated Resettlement Time (GRT) prior to discharge to conduct resettlement activities. The Employment Support Programme (ESP) is available to those who have served between four and six years, giving access to CTP assistance that directly supports job finding. The Early Service Leaver Programme (ESL) 'CTP Future Horizons' is available to those who leave before the four-year point, based on a needs assessment, to find and remain in a sustainable vocational outcome. A bespoke service called CTP Assist is provided for the most vulnerable leavers, and delivers an individualised, needs-based service to who face the greatest barriers to employment because of their medical condition.
National Insurance
In 2022, the last government introduced National Insurance Relief for employers hiring veterans into their first role after service. This gives businesses potential savings of up to £6,200 per employee, while allowing them to benefit from the fantastic skills and experience that veterans bring. The Autumn 2024 Budget confirmed that the relief will be extended until 5 April 2026.
Civil Service
There are a range of Civil Service recruitment initiatives for veterans, offering a fulfilling career in public service which makes the most of the skills and capability they have to offer. Over 1,000 veterans to date have secured a job in the Civil Service through the ‘Great Place to Work for Veterans’ initiative. This enables veterans who meet the minimum criteria to progress to the next stage of the application process, which is usually an interview. A further 200 veterans have been recruited through the 'Going Forward Into Employment' (GFiE) Life Scheme initiative, which provides work placements and fixed-term opportunities that could lead to permanent employment. We have also developed tailored veteran employment schemes in the public sector, such as the 'Step into Health' initative and a fast-track recruitment scheme for veterans wishing to become prison officers (Advance into Justice in the Prison Service). We are also working closely with the business community - for example Deloitte’s Veterans Work programme has influence over 7,000 veterans’ transition journeys in the last 12 years while British Airways offers a range of military schemes.
Get Into Teaching
The Department of Education supports veterans into teaching in primary, secondary, and further education through its broad support services and bursaries. The Department for Education has tailored support and communications for the Veteran community including dedicated teacher training advisers, webpages, case study blogs on the Get Into Teaching website and information in Civvy Street publications. Trainees have been awarded a bursary under the Troops to Teachers undergraduate bursary scheme. The Department also encourages them to take up services such as ‘Get School Experience’ and the Teacher Training Adviser service to help them towards a career in teaching.
Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
Since 2014, the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) has provided visible recognition to those employers which support Defence and is inspiring others to do the same. The ERS is an ongoing programme of work and will continue to be a key part of the Ministry of Defence's long-term plans to develop and encourage public support for the Armed Forces community through the Armed Forces Covenant. There is an annual programme of review and award to enable interested employers to progress through the three levels of the scheme (Bronze to Silver to Gold) which began in January 2022 each year.
Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme
Eligible Service personnel and veterans can access three schemes: Standard Learning Credit, Enhanced Learning Credit and Publicly Funded Further and Higher Education schemes, which can help individuals pursue their personal and professional development through education. These schemes are available both during their Service and, for two of the schemes, for between five and ten years after discharge, based on the circumstances of departure, making sure veterans have access to the right training opportunities.
High Ground helps service leavers, reservists and veterans assess their military skills and experience and how these apply to the land-based sector. It also offers many opportunities for employment and self-employment. High Ground offers Rural Weeks: 5 fully residential days at an agricultural college for 8 service leavers, reservists and veterans to learn more about the land-based sector from subject matters experts. Rural Weeks are run by our Rural Employment Manager in conjunction with the delivering agricultural college.
The Open University’s Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund (DVSF)
Applications to The Open University’s Disabled Veterans’ Scholarships Fund (DVSF) for 2024/25 are open, providing access to free OU education as well as tailored careers and disability support to those injured in, or due to, military service. To date, 312 scholarships have been awarded. This year, 50 more disabled veterans can build on their unique military skills and experiences with a qualification from the Open University. All undergraduate and postgraduate modules and qualifications are eligible. Applications for this year’s scholarships close midday 10 July 2024.
Armed Forces Bereavement Scholarship Scheme
The aim of the Armed Forces Bereavement Scholarship Scheme (AFBSS) is to provide the children of those whose death is attributable to service a head start in life by enabling them to progress in their post-16 education, including further education or lower or a university scholarship including technical education.
Veterans UK
Veterans UK provides free support for veterans and their families, including a helpline which offers free help with compensation claims for injury in the Armed Forces such as the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS); War Pension Scheme (WPS); and Armed Forces Pensions. Armed Forces Independence payment. AFCS provides compensation for injury or illness caused or made worse by service; or where death is caused by service in the UK Armed Forces on or after 6 April 2005.
Defence Transition Service
Defence Transition Services (DTS), part of Veterans UK, provides information and support for those service leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the Armed Forces and adjust to civilian life. DTS will be there as a safety net for up to two years after leaving Service to facilitate access to support, whether that be from another government department, local authorities, the NHS or trusted charities.
Veterans Welfare Service
The Veterans' Welfare Service, part of Veterans UK, provides free and confidential support and advice to veterans or anyone supporting a veteran by providing ongoing support, guidance, and information with issues that will endure beyond discharge. VWS clients are supported according to their needs and preferences, with support remaining in place for as long as required. They provide telephone and face to face assistance from four UK welfare centres to veterans in need of support. Where financial assistance is required, the VWS can assist with benefits checks, completion of application forms, and signposting to entitlements and support available from the wider public and voluntary sectors. Veterans can call the Veterans Helpline free of charge on 0808 1914218 and ask for a call back.
Integrated Personal Commissioning for Veterans Framework
Launched on 29 March 2019, the Integrated Personal Commissioning for Veterans Framework (IPC4V) provides holistic transition and welfare information, guidance and support to the Armed Forces Community - ensuring that individuals with very complex and enduring healthcare requirements transitioning out of the military into civilian life will continue to receive comprehensive support. Individuals who are eligible for support under the Integrated Personal Commissioning for Veterans Scheme are proactively identified by medical staff whilst they are on the Defence Recovery Pathway. All Veterans supported by the Scheme have complex and enduring physical, neurological and mental health conditions that are attributable to injury whilst in Service.
Other Support
Further information on benefits and concessions available to the Armed Forces and veterans can be found at the following address: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/armed-forces-and-veterans/benefits-and-concessions-for-the-armed-forces-veterans-and-their-families/
The Service Charities Partnership Board (SCPB) is the most senior MOD Forum with charities and is attended by the Confederation of Service Charities (COBSEO), The Royal British Legion and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.
COBSEO (The Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations) provides positive and effective leadership across the Service Charity sector, acting as a trusted voice of charities when engaging with Government. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is proud to work closely with Cobseo to support the Armed Forces' community across the UK.
COBSEO Executive Members
The Army Benevolent Fund is the national charity of the British Army, providing a lifetime of support to soldiers, veterans and their immediate families.
Forces in Mind Trust was founded in November 2011 by a £35 million endowment from the National Lottery Community Fund. The Trust works within the military charities sector, and much more widely, to support the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces Community.
Help for Heroes provides lifelong support to Service Personnel and Military Veterans with injuries, illnesses and wounds sustained while serving in the British Armed Forces. In 2023, Help for Heroes was awarded £2.52 million to deliver a new Veterans’ Mobility Fund (VMF), in partnership with Blesma. The charities will deliver high quality support to veterans with physical disabilities through grants across five years.
Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund offer a range of support to serving members of the RAF and their families and to veterans.
The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity is the principal charity of the Royal Navy. They exist to support sailors, marines and their families, for life.
SSAFA Forces Help is the UK's oldest national tri-service military charity. Each year, they help 82,000 people in need, from Second World War veterans to young men and women who have served in more recent conflicts, and their families. Forcesline is a free and confidential telephone helpline and email service that provides support for serving (regulars and reserves), ex-Forces and their families.
The Royal British Legion is here to help members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families.
Veterans Scotland's objective is to relieve suffering hardship and distress and to promote the relief of need and to promote education among men or women who have at any time served with any branch of the naval, military and air forces of the Crown or her allies.
The Association of Service Drop-In Centres (ASDIC) represents and links veterans’ Drop-Ins across the country. Sometimes called Hubs or Centres, Drop-Ins offer a variety of welfare and mental health support, together with comradeship and a sense of well-being, to the ex-military community and their families, and ASDIC helps them to enhance the service they can provide and make them more accessible.
Blesma, the Limbless Veterans Charity , is an armed forces non profit charity supporting limbless veterans in the UK for the duration of their lives.
Blind Veterans UK helps vision-impaired ex-Servicemen and women to rebuild their lives after sight loss. They provide rehabilitation, training, practical advice and emotional support to veterans regardless of how or when they lost their sight. They help blind veterans regain their independence and live the life they choose.
Combat Stress is the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health offering free treatment and support to ex-servicemen and women of the UK Armed Forces. For over a century, they have helped former servicemen and women with mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. If you have served or are currently serving in the UK Armed Forces, you can call the Combat Stress' 24-hour mental health helplines.
The St John and Red Cross Defence Medical Welfare Service (known as DMWS) is a registered charity in England and Wales and in Scotland, providing medical welfare to those who have, and continue to, serve on the frontline.
FEC - Forces Employment Charity provides life-long, life-changing employment support, jobs and training opportunities for Service leavers, reservists, veterans and their families.
Stoll is the leading provider of supported housing to vulnerable Veterans.
War Widows Association of Great Britain was formed in 1971 and has around 2000 members. They are primarily a campaigning and pressure group. As part of the UK Military Bereaved Family we want to ensure that war widows and widowers are always treated fairly and receive all the benefits and assistance to which they are entitled.
The Women’s Royal Army Corps Association was formed in 1949. It fosters mutual friendship between them and provides for social gatherings.
Other Service Charities
Veterans can also receive support from their Regimental and Corps Associations and charities that serve both the serving and the ex-Service community.
British Forces Resettlement Service (BFRS) is a Social Enterprise (SE) that works in support of the Armed Forces Community (AFC). It was established in September 2009 by the company CEO Harry Dean. BFRS primarily social objective is to work as the focal point between the AFC and commercial businesses.
Sponsored by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) and supported by Defence Relationship Management, Chamber Military Network provides a package of support that enables all Chambers of Commerce across England & Wales with the tools, knowledge and understanding to effectively promote the value, benefits and opportunities available to business through the Armed Forces Covenant.
Forces Children's Trust is devoted to working together to assist any dependent children who are in need, whose father or mother has died or has sustained life-changing injuries whilst serving as a member of the Armed Forces and such other occupations as determined from time to time by the Trustees.
The Officers’ Association exists to provide advice, support and to relieve hardship amongst those who have held a commission in the Armed Forces, their families and dependant.
The Royal Navy Benevolent Fund assist ex navy personnel in need by providing a wide range of royal navy funding. RNBT provides financial assistance and royal navy support to RN and RM personnel.
Government values the work carried out by The Poppy Factory, which supports veterans with health conditions on their journey into employment, helping them overcome any barriers.
