Armed Forces Community Covenant

Supporting our Armed Forces Community

Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award

We pledged to ensure our armed forces community is not disadvantaged accessing services.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation to those who serve or have served and their families. We will do all we can to ensure they are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their daily lives.

We've put together some helpful information to help both current and former members of the Armed Forces locate services. Find help on applying for housing, starting your own business, and accessing local services.

About the Covenant

The Armed Forces Community Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces Community. The Armed Forces Covenant outlines the moral obligation between the Nation, the Government, and the Armed Forces at the local level.

The Community Covenant is to encourage support for the Armed Forces Community working and residing in Gravesham. To recognise and remember the sacrifices made by members. This includes serving Service personnel and Service veterans, their families, and their widow(er)s in Gravesham.

The Community Covenant presents us with an opportunity to bring knowledge, experience, and expertise together to providing help and advice, building upon existing good work on other initiatives.

The Community Covenant encourages the integration of Service life into civilian life and encourages members of the Armed Forces Community to help their local community.

The scheme is a two-way arrangement. Members are encouraged to do as much as they can to support their community. We promote activity that integrates the Service community into civilian life.

Employer recognition scheme

We recognised for our support with a Silver Award. This is along 48 organisations in the South-East for the support provided to Reservists, Veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, spouses/partners, and the wider Armed Forces community.

We have worked hard to develop enhanced benefits and support for the armed forces community. This includes Veterans, Reservists, and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, as well as spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.

Support and useful links

Personalised care for veterans

New Personalised Care Offers for Veterans with a Long-term Physical, Mental or Neurological Health Condition or Disability.

NHS England and NHS Improvement, together with the Ministry of Defence, have published the Personalised care for veterans in England. It sets out a new care approach for those veterans who have a long-term physical, mental or neurological health condition or disability.

Veterans' ID card

The Veteran’s ID card for armed forces veterans has started to be issued to service leavers and will help them access specialist support and services.

The cards allow veterans to easily verify their service to the NHS, local authorities, and charities, helping them access support and services where needed.

This ID card is one of three that are available to service leavers.

Personnel leaving the armed forces can also keep their military IDs, known as the MOD Form 90, allowing them to maintain their emotional connection with their service.

Additionally, veterans can access a range of discounts through the Defence Discount Service, the official MOD-endorsed service for the armed forces.

Gravesham Gateway

There is a range of helpful services available at our Gateway Services, in the Civic Centre.

Services include Citizens Advice Bureau, Victim Support, Kent County Council, Police, and more.

Mental Health assistance

Combat Stress help former servicemen and women deal with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. They provide specialist treatment and support for veterans, focusing on those with complex mental health issues related to their military service.

Charity Samaritans have a range of services to help support serving personnel in the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.

Business start-ups

Thinking about starting your own business? Variety of business advice and support for pre-start-up advice, research, funding and business planning.

Useful links

Helpful links on a range of diverse areas

Support

Employment

Guides

Housing

Get advice on applying for housing, including our Housing Allocations Policy and how it applies to the Armed Forces Community.

If you homeless or at risk, please read this advice for ex-armed forces.