Major Boost: The Hidden Voices Programme awards almost £600K in 26 New Grants
For generations, many within the armed forces community have carried burdens few could see and even fewer fully understood. LGBT+ veterans, foreign and commonwealth personnel, survivors of military sexual violence, and older veterans in care homes have faced challenges that too often went unspoken.
Their stories were whispered in quiet rooms, softened or silenced beneath the louder narrative of service and sacrifice.
But today, those voices are rising.
In the latest round of the Hidden Voices programme, we are proud to award nearly £600,000 to 26 projects dedicated to changing that narrative for good.
Across every corner of the UK, remarkable organisations are stepping forward with compassion, courage, and innovation – ensuring that no one who has served is left without support, understanding, or community.
From trauma-informed courses that help veterans rebuild after difficult experiences, to weekly fitness and wellbeing sessions tailored for female veterans; from amplifying the voices of children affected by domestic abuse to early intervention programmes addressing loneliness among older veterans in care – these projects are paving the way toward a more inclusive and supportive future for all who have served.
Age Cymru Gwynedd a Môn
Age Cymru Gwynedd a Môn has secured funding through the Hidden Voices programme to deliver vital support for older veterans living in care homes across North Wales. This initiative will focus on reducing loneliness and isolation, improving wellbeing, and ensuring that those who have served receive the recognition and tailored care they deserve.
Through a series of inclusive activities and community engagement efforts, the project aims to implement meaningful social connections and create environments where veterans can share their experiences and feel valued.
Scottish Action for Mental Health
Scottish Action for Mental Health is an organisation committed to improving mental health and wellbeing across Scotland. With support from the Hidden Voices programme, the organisation will deliver initiatives aimed at supporting veterans who have experienced trauma or mental health challenges. The project seeks to provide tailored interventions, reduce isolation, and create inclusive spaces that support resilience and recovery.
Hazel Mcllwraith, Director of Fundraising and Major Appeal of Scottish Action for Mental Health explains what the grant means to them:
“We are delighted to receive support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Hidden Voices Programme. Veterans living in Scotland often face barriers to mental health support, including stigma, long waits, and complicated referral pathways. Our project, Veterans’ Wellbeing at the Nook, will provide accessible, co-designed wellbeing support in the heart of Glasgow that will reduce these barriers and enable early intervention.”
Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust
Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust is an organisation dedicated to improving wellbeing through the therapeutic power of music. With funding from the Hidden Voices programme, the Trust will deliver tailored music therapy sessions to support veterans and their families, helping to address trauma, reduce isolation, and promote emotional resilience. This initiative aims to create safe, inclusive spaces where individuals can express themselves and rebuild confidence through creative engagement.
Laura Shuttleworth of Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust reflects on what the grant will mean to the Trust:
“Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust is delighted to get the opportunity to deliver this ground-breaking programme with The Somme Nursing Home. The results of service life do not go away when veterans become older, but the symptoms of PTSD/Complex PTSD and the impact of physical injuries are often complicated by the introduction of other illnesses related to old age. Our therapists will be able to provide bespoke treatment programmes focused on individual needs, and also help improve mental health outcomes for all residents of the nursing home. We are extremely grateful to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for supporting this important piece of work’.
Aurora New Dawn
Aurora New Dawn, a leading charity dedicated to safeguarding and empowering individuals affected by abuse, has been awarded funding through the Hidden Voices programme. This support will enable the organisation to consult with and amplify the voices of children impacted by domestic abuse, sexual violence, and stalking within armed forces families.
The initiative aims to deliver meaningful change by improving mental and physical health, fostering wellbeing, and ensuring that children in forces communities receive compassionate, effective care. Through this project, Aurora New Dawn reaffirms its commitment to creating safer, more supportive environments for those who need it most.
Dr Shonagh Dillon, CEO of Aurora New Dawn, offered this concluding remark:
“We are absolutely delighted to have received this vital funding for children and young people in armed forces communities who have been subjected to domestic abuse – children remain unseen and unheard as victims and we are committed to ensuring they receive the right support in a bespoke setting that understands their unique needs as children of forces families.”
Find out more
Want to know more about the funded projects? You can find a full list of all awardees from this round and previous rounds of the Hidden Voices programme here.
Are you focused on providing equitable access to mental health services and wellbeing support; and raising awareness of the needs of underrepresented groups within the armed forces community? There’s still time to get an application in for round two – visit our Hidden Voices programme page for the full details.
Applications need to be submitted by 21 January 2026.