New Fund to tackle loneliness in Forces communities

July 27, 2020

The Trust is excited to launch a major new Covenant Fund programme offering fixed grants of £70,000 for two-year projects.

The Tackling Loneliness programme will support charities and Community Interest Companies with experience of working with Armed Forces communities.

Reaching out

This new progamme will focus on projects that reach those within the Armed Forces community who don’t normally engage with available projects or services.

We developed this programme through a consultation which highlighted loneliness as a major factor of social isolation. It can affect people of all ages and from all backgrounds.

Through the Tackling Loneliness programme, people will be encouraged to get involved for the first time, strengthen their support networks and build their confidence to access opportunities available to them.

Building confidence

We’re really keen that those taking part in projects funded by the Tackling Loneliness programme should feel empowered and encouraged to ‘take a leap’ or try something new. We want them to feel part of a community – whether a local community or a community of interests – and to be able to use any funded project as a stepping-stone or helping hand to something bigger.

We can consider projects that support serving personnel, veterans and Armed Forces families.

Sonia Howe, Director of Policy at the Trust said:

“Loneliness and isolation can affect people of all ages, and it can be challenging if you have been isolated for a while to find the confidence to try new things. We hope that this programme will be able to support great projects that can reach people from Armed Forces communities who find it difficult to get involved, to help people find their confidence for the future.”

Offering great support

We’re also delighted to be able to offer all projects funded through the Tackling Loneliness programme, access to support and mentorship from experienced Armed Forces charities, to help their project connect with other work, and to support the delivery of their work.

Find out more

Find out more about this exciting new programme on our Tackling Loneliness programme page.