Advice for the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust in its second decade – from a health perspective –

Covenant Fund Campaign December 2025

Lt Col (Retd) Guy Benson National Team Leader NHS Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) and Helen Hurst RGN QN, Projects Officer for Independent Healthcare Providers and Hospices.

This healthcare powerhouse shares five ways in which the Covenant Fund can lean into its unique position as a trusted bridge between the armed forces community, the NHS and the third sector. 

As the Covenant Fund enters its second decade, our advice would be to lean into its
unique position as a trusted bridge between the Armed Forces community, the NHS,
and the third sector.

1.Consolidation and Continuity
Many excellent initiatives, such as the Thrive Together programme, have been
seeded, but sustainability remains the greatest challenge. The Fund should prioritise
helping projects secure long-term viability through matched funding, NHS
commissioning, and stronger partnerships with local authorities and Integrated Care
Systems.

2. Amplifying Health Impact via the Third Sector Charities are often closest to veterans and their families. By supporting partnerships
with statutory health providers, the Fund can enable bespoke, community-based
interventions, such as mental health, social prescribing, bereavement, palliative care,
and family support; that align with the NHS 10-Year Plan shift from hospital to
community.

3. Data, Learning, and Sharing Encourage third-sector projects not just to deliver but to measure impact
meaningfully. A central knowledge hub could spread lessons learned nationally,
enabling smaller organisations to benefit from wider insights.

4. Reaching the Margins Focus on groups often overlooked: reservists, families, bereaved, children, and
those with complex transitions. Tackling health inequalities is essential.

5. Navigating the ‘Teenage Years’ As it matures, the Covenant Fund should balance bold innovation with thoughtful
stewardship, investing not just for immediate impact but for lasting legacy across
health and community care.