Sustaining Support for Armed Forces Communities programme has awarded grants totalling over £3million

October 5, 2021

Under the programme Sustaining Support, the Trust has made 50 awards totalling £3,226,239. These short-term grants are to support existing charitable projects that people from Armed Forces communities use and value. Due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic one-year grants of up to £100,000 were available and awarded.

The Sustaining Support grants were placed under two different funding tracks. One track, to support existing activities that are well used by the Forces community, and the second track, to support core costs within Armed Forces charities.

A demand for services

From the project track, the Trust awarded, The Warrior Programme £100,000 for the project “The Veterans and Families Programme”

Since the advent of the pandemic, Warrior has seen a rise in the demand for services, especially from veterans and their families and a reduction in funding from various sources.

Charlotte Cole, Chief Executive at The Warrior Programme said this about the funding…

“The veterans and families we support have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19 and even when the impact of the virus recedes to manageable levels, these people will still need support. This vital funding, from The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, will enable us to respond to this surge in demand over the next 12 months by running more courses and dedicated workshops, reinforcing the existing successful pathways within.” 

A critical time

Age UK had felt the need for extended funding as they knew that older Veterans were feeling increasingly isolated and lonely due to COVID-19 lockdowns. The separation from families and support networks had taken its toil. The Age UK project ‘Telephone Friendship for Older Veterans’ was awarded £76,296.00 by the Trust.

Alasdair Stewart, Head of National Services at Age UK, said: “Age UK is so grateful to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for understanding not only the needs of veterans at this difficult time, but also the organisations that support them. This funding will help Age UK with its support for older veterans, their families and carers through one-to-one telephone friendship and veteran-to-veteran group friendship calls. These are critical at a time when many older veterans are lacking confidence, and more isolated and lonely than ever due to extended lockdowns, shielding and separation from their families.”

Mental health and well being

From the core track the Trust awarded Sporting Force £49,450 for essential services. Sporting Force will use this funding to help ensure that much-needed services can continue to provide support for veterans who are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.

Jacqui Nicholson Operations Executive, Sporting Force had this to say about the grant awarded…

“By the Trust’s part funding of our two Well Being Coaches for a further year, we will be in a stronger position moving forward to support more veterans. This grant will enable Sporting Force to ensure continuity of service to the veterans we support, sustaining the activities for their wellbeing”

The Trust will make further awards under this programme in late 2021.

Find out more

A full list of awards is available here.