Armed Forces Support
Covenant
In 2012 Hartlepool Borough Council signed the North East Armed Forces Community Charter and established our own Armed Forces Community Covenant, to encourage support from the Armed Forces Community in our town. The Community Covenant was refreshed in 2019, with additional co-signatories from across the private, public and voluntary and community sectors.
The basis for our Covenant continuing to be that: -
"Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved."
Hartlepool Borough Council is committed to supporting our Armed Forces Community, across its branches and generations. This commitment demonstrated by the:
- Apointment of a committed Armed Forces Champion , and newly created Veterans Champion,
- Receipt of the MOD Employer recognition Scheme Gold Award (supporting our ex-service and reservist staff and their families);
- Award of ‘Freedom of the Borough’ to the Rifles;
- Support in the creation, and running, of the Armed Forces Liaison Group (AFLG).
Covenant Fund
There is funding available from the national Covenant Fund for Local grants applications for:
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Community Integration and Local Delivery of Services - up to £20,000 (link to giudance for applicants);
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Removing Barriers to Family Life - £30,000 to £300,000 (link to guidance for applicants);
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Positive Pathways - £35,000 of £70,000 (link to guidance for applicants); and
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Veterans Community Centres - Up to £30,000 (link to guidance for applicants).
The grant is to be used to respond to the local needs of the Armed Forces Community and improve recognition of the Armed Forces Covenant, helping:
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Integrate Armed Forces and civilian communities across the UK; and / or
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Deliver valuable local services to the armed forces community. (i.e. financial advice, housing, mental and physical health, employability or social support for serving armed forces personnel, veterans, and their families).
If you are interested please visit www.gov.uk/government/collections/covenant-fund.
In addition to this, further help in identifying potential options for grant funding can be accessed via www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/finance/benefits-advice/grants-finder/.
