Armed Forces Covenant

What is the Armed Forces Covenant?

To those who proudly protect our nation, who do so with honour, courage, and commitment, the Armed Forces Covenant is the nation’s commitment to you.

It is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

TWBC Army Covenant Member

Councillor Beverley Palmer

It is my privilege to represent the Council as Armed Forces Member.  I have been involved for over 30 years with my local branch of the British Legion including holding the position of President of the Women’s section for over 10 years before it was disbanded and our standard retired.

I am looking forward to working with the various organisations to assist veterans and serving military personnel in our Borough.

TWBC Army Covenant Officer

Denise Haylett, Head of Facilities and Community Hubs

I am delighted to be the Covenant Officer for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.  Both of my parents were in the armed forces, so to hold this position is a great honour.

Also working on Remembrance Sunday and to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life works well and fits comfortably within this role.

Aims of the Armed Forces Covenants

Local authorities and the armed forces community are encouraged to work together to establish a covenant in their area to:

• encourage local communities to support the armed forces community in their areas and to nurture public understanding and awareness among the public of issues affecting the armed forces community.
• recognise and remember the sacrifices faced by the armed forces community.
• encourage activities which help to integrate the armed forces community into local life.
• encourage the armed forces community to help and support the wider community, whether through participation in events and joint projects, or other forms of engagement.

Covenants in each community may look quite different from one location to another. This is a scheme where one size does not fit all, and the nature of the support offered will be determined by both need and capacity.

Community Covenant

Community Covenants are a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces Community.

They are intended to complement at a local level, the Armed Forces Covenant which is the moral obligation that exists between the nation, the government and the armed forces and sets out the actions being taken by central government.

The aims of an Armed Forces Community Covenant are to:

• encourage local communities to support the armed forces community in their areas and to nurture public understanding and awareness among the public of issues affecting the armed forces community
• recognise and remember the sacrifices faced by the armed forces community
• encourage activities which help to integrate the armed forces community into local life
• encourage the armed forces community to help and support the wider community, whether through participation in events and joint projects, or other forms of engagement

Armed Forces Covenant for communities on GOV.UK

The Armed Forces Community Covenant for the borough was signed in July 2013.

Rewards for Forces

Rewards For Forces is the UK's largest discount and benefits website for members of the Armed Forces, Veterans and partners of those who have served or are serving. It is free to join and offers discounts locally and nationally. For more information, visit the Rewards for Forces website.

Forces Connect

In as little as just four clicks, Forces Connect is a free mobile app that can signpost veterans, armed forces personnel and their loved ones to support and advice in their local area.

Forces Connect App - Armed Forces Network

Togetherall

Togetherall offers free help and advice to UK serving personnel, anyone who has ever served in the regular or reserve forces, and their families. For more information visit the Togetherall website.

Suicide Bereavement UK

Suicide Bereavement UK have launched evidence-based ‘At Your Side guides’ for those bereaved by suicide in the Armed Forces community on the 17 April 2024.

The launch event was hosted at the Speakers Room, Westminster, who brought together, people of influence from various sectors, those bereaved by suicide in the Armed Forces community and those who helped develop the ‘At Your Side’ guides.

You can download Suicide Bereavement Guides for free on their website.