In April 2026 the Trust commissioned non-profit research institute RAND Europe to provide an overview of existing evidence on patterns, gaps and trends in the disadvantage experienced by the Armed Forces Community (AFC), and on interventions to address those issues. This overview aimed to provide the Trust with an understanding of key documented and emerging issues facing the AFC to inform the Trust’s strategy for 2027–2030.
As part of this project, RAND Europe conducted a qualitative synthesis of available evidence to address the following research
questions:
- What evidence is available on different areas of disadvantage among the AFC?
- Which groups within the AFC face the greatest/most complex disadvantage and unmet need?
- What new or emerging needs are anticipated between 2027 and 2030?
- What are the key evidence gaps relating to disadvantage among the AFC?
