First awards made under the Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities programme
The Trust is delighted to announce that we have awarded £2.6 million to targeted projects that will deliver real change within Armed Forces communities.
The Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities programme made 27 awards across the UK. Each project will last for up to three years and will deliver significant changes and/or improvements in Armed Forces communities, where there are hidden or compelling needs.
How will this benefit Armed Forces communities locally and nationally?
Mary Molloy, from the organisation ‘We Are Here with You,’ explains how their organisation will address the often hidden and compelling needs surrounding addiction in both local and national Armed Forces communities.
“This funding will allow us to recruit a new Armed Forces Coordinator within our With You in Cornwall service to deliver specific, expert support to members of the Armed Forces community who have issues with drugs and alcohol and often quite unique and complex needs.
“Over the next three year we will use this funding to engage with partner services across the county to support individuals with their choices around substance use, improve their mental health and reduce loneliness and isolation. Overall, we hope to have a positive impact on members of the Armed Forces community right across the county.”
Supporting family members
The Family Pathways Support Service, a collaboration between The Ripple Pond and The Poppy Factory, will improve pathways to support for family members with caring responsibilities in the serving and veteran communities.
Debbie Boughtflower, Director of Operations at The Poppy Factory, said: “Caring for a partner or loved one who is unwell affects the entire family. Through our work with the ex-Forces community, it’s clear that many adult family members now caring for veterans with health conditions would themselves benefit greatly from focused employment support. Lack of confidence, loss of identity, trauma and acute mental health conditions are just some of the issues they might face, and these barriers often go unreported and untreated.
“This important new funding from The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust will enable us to help this unique group for the first time. We are delighted to be working closely with The Ripple Pond, whose expertise will help design and deliver a support package that will enable family members to overcome barriers and unlock their employment potential. With the right support, they will develop the tools and resilience to thrive in the workplace, becoming less isolated and enjoying greater financial independence, improved wellbeing and a new sense of purpose and contribution.”
Reaching Forces communities across the UK
In the first ever round of this large grants programme, we were pleased to see such a variety of impactful projects supported.
From the inclusive ‘Veterans in View’ project in Wales, run by Age Cymru Dyfed and supporting older veterans who’ve previously remained hidden from support services due to race, gender or individual circumstances. To the Mankind Initiative who will offer support for survivors of domestic abuse, helping to break the cycle of loneliness and isolation. Each project supported brings an element of innovation and builds a wider picture of support across the UK.
Find out more
For a full list of these fantastic projects, check out our Reaching and Supporting programme page.