Frequently asked questions
Is this programme open to projects which will work with reservists?
Yes, applications are welcome for projects which include reservists as well as those serving full-time.
My planned project will meet all programme outcomes. Is this acceptable?
Yes this is fine, in the application form we will ask you to select all the outcomes that your project will be addressing.
I want to run a project which will be working to improve the lives of female veterans. Can I apply for this programme?
No, this programme is specifically aimed at addressing the needs of serving women (including reservists). There are other programmes, delivered through the Covenant Fund, that are open to wider groups – find out more about our programmes.
Our programme of activities will be targeted at serving women but may also include men. Can I apply to this programme?
No, this programme is specifically aimed at addressing the needs of serving women (including reservists). There are other programmes, delivered through the Covenant Fund, that are open to wider groups – find out more about our programmes.
Are research projects eligible for funding under this programme?
No, research projects are not eligible for funding under this programme. We encourage applicants to review the programme guidance to explore the types of projects that do qualify.
I have an idea for a project but I’m not sure if it will be funded. Can I talk it through with someone at the Trust before I submit my application?
All the information you need is included in the programme guidance and application materials published on our website. This will help you to decide whether to submit an application to this programme. To ensure that all applicants are treated fairly, we are unable to provide additional individualised advice.
I shared details with you about the needs of servicewomen, but this has not featured, why?
We had some fantastic conversations with lots of stakeholders and listened to the needs of women from all three services. We also consulted MOD on future plans in this space, as there is lots of work underway and our grant making must be complementary to existing support, and there are some areas of need which grant funding cannot address.
Can I apply for more than one project?
Yes, if it is for distinct, separate projects which are not interdependent.
Awards made
| Year awarded | Programme | Funder | Organisation name | Project title | Project description | Project location | Grant amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | Aurora New Dawn | Armed Forces Athena Groupwork Programme | Aurora New Dawn will deliver a bespoke CPDUK-accredited confidential therapeutic support programme, helping 100 women serving in the armed forces nationwide to recover from the traumatic consequences of their experiences relating to domestic abuse, sexual violence, and stalking. | England/South East | 94,000.00 |
| 2024 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | Forces Employment Charity | Military Women’s Programme | This project aims to empower female serving personnel, reservists, and veterans to overcome barriers and reach their full potential. Unlike their male counterparts, military women face unique challenges in securing meaningful civilian employment. Providing holistic support, this project ensures military women are equally valued, qualified, and supported. | UK-wide | 100,000.00 |
| 2024 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | Hull FC Community Foundation | Unite | Unite will take a prevention-first approach to empower servicewomen with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to lead healthier, more resilient lives. Through co-created activities delivered individually, in groups, and with families, the programme addresses loneliness and isolation, strengthens mental resilience, and connects participants with specialist support delivered by VCSE partners. | England/North East | 50,652.00 |
| 2024 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | RAF Association | RAF Women's Wellbeing Network | The RAF Association will develop a peer-to-peer wellbeing network to support 200 women currently serving in the RAF via a programme of interactive, informative and inspirational webinars and the development of an online community to strengthen resilience and wellbeing, and alleviate stressors uniquely experienced by servicewomen. | UK-wide | 68,195.00 |
| 2024 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | RAF Brize Norton | The Gateway to Women’s Health | This project offers mental and physical health support for servicewomen at RAF Brize Norton. Through health briefing days, therapies, exercise programmes, and a dedicated app, it addresses the full spectrum of women’s health topics, empowering them to feel seen, heard and supported. | England/South East | 100,000.00 |
| 2024 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | Royal Navy Recovery and Resilience Margins Headquarters | RN Women Wellbeing & Support | The Royal Navy Wellbeing and Support programme will support women facing postnatal depression, stillbirth, abortion, domestic abuse, miscarriage and low-level mental health challenges. Through wellness retreats, yoga, and holistic activities, it will offer a nurturing space for self-care, healing, and emotional recovery, empowering women to rebuild their strength and wellbeing. | England/South West | 44,400.00 |
| 2024 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | DEFENCE MEDICAL WELFARE SERVICE (DMWS) | Virtual counselling for servicewomen | DMWS will provide online counselling and wellbeing support for serving and reservist women to access independent and confidential mental and physical health and wellbeing support. This service will recognise the distinct challenges faced by armed forces women and provide dedicated support to meet their needs and make empowered informed choices. | UK-wide | 122,335.00 |
| 2024 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | The Warrior Programme | Your career, take control | The project will empower serving women to achieve their career potential, inspire those around them and thereby drive the changes required to make service life more conducive for women. | UK-wide | 150,000.00 |
| 2025 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | Clervaux Trust | Resilience Through Craft | Funding will enable a series of twelve eight-week courses over two years designed to improve the mental health and wellbeing of servicewomen by developing colleagueship, sharing experiences and learning new skills. | England/North East | 54,558.00 |
| 2025 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | Cornwall Rural Community Charity (CRCC) | Service & Strength | Service & Strength will co-design and deliver empowering health education and support for serving women. The programme addresses unique needs, focusing on peri- and post-menopause, enhancing wellbeing for servicewomen and their support networks. | England/South West | 100,000.00 |
| 2025 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | Defence General Practice Women's Health Special Interest Group: Academic Department of Military General Practice | Sister Support: Abortion Peer Supporters | Funding will enable training and support for up to 16 servicewomen who will deliver non-judgemental peer support to fellow servicewomen who are thinking about an abortion, or who have accessed one, to ensure they feel heard, valued and find the support they want and need by someone who understands service life | UK-wide | 43,600.00 |
| 2025 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | Defence General Practice Women's Health Special Interest Group: Academic Department of Military General Practice | Servicewomen's Health: Empowerment Through Education | Funding will enable a series of short, engaging, animated educational clips on servicewomen’s health. The clips will be designed for use in facilitated discussions across recruitment, training, service and leadership. Topics include menstruation, vulval health, urination, menopause, reproductive health and more, supporting awareness, wellbeing, and gender-informed leadership in military settings. | UK-wide | 100,000.00 |
| 2025 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | Mode Rehabilitation | The Red Tent Project | Funding will be used for a wellbeing project delivering menstrual and hormonal health education to servicewomen through peer-led, on-base pop-up spaces. It provides practical tools, cycle awareness resources, and confidential support to improve resilience, while destigmatising a taboo topic and empowering women to manage health challenges specific to military service. | UK-wide | 62,000.00 |
| 2025 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | Mothers Matter C.I.C | Stronger Together – Supporting Servicewomen | This project combines tailored wellbeing workshops, peer support, and accessible resources to empower servicewomen to make informed health choices. It supports prevention and crisis response, aligning with the Armed Forces Covenant’s commitment to ensuring servicewomen have equitable access to care that enhances their mental health and overall quality of life. | Wales | 100,000.00 |
| 2025 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association – Forces Help | Serving Women, Never Battle Alone | SSAFA’s ‘Serving Women, Never Battle Alone’ project offers 1:1 tailored, confidential advice, practical and emotional support and advocacy to serving women experiencing bullying, harassment and sexual abuse in the military. The service, available throughout UK, is open to women from the regular and reserve armed forces. | UK-wide | 100,000.00 |
| 2025 | Service Women: Seen and Heard | Covenant Fund | Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) | Wellbeing Support for Service Women | DMWS will provide in-person access to independent and confidential mental and physical health, and wellbeing support for serving and reservist women. This service will recognise the distinct challenges faced by armed forces women and provide dedicated support to meet their needs and make empowered and informed choices. | England/North East | 98,589.00 |
