Armed Forces Covenant

What is the Armed Forces Covenant?

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation to those who serve or who have served, and their families, which says we will do all we can to ensure they are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives.

The Covenant has 2 principles:

• The Armed Forces community should not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services, and
• Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

The Armed Forces Covenant outlines the moral obligation between the nation, the government and the Armed Forces. It encourages local communities to support the armed forces community in their area and promote understanding and awareness among the public of issues affecting the Armed Forces community.

The Essex Armed Forces Covenant was formally signed in November 2012.  It is one of the largest ever Armed Forces covenant pledges made by the public, private and voluntary sectors including the leaders of Essex County Council, Essex’s city, borough and district Councils, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, representatives of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, Essex Police, Essex Fire Service, the NHS, the business community and Armed Forces charities.

Who does it support?

• Regular Personnel - Naval Service (including Marines), Army and Royal Air Force
• Reservists - both regular and volunteer
• Merchant Navy - staff and officers on particular operations
• Veterans - anyone who has served for at least a day as either regular personnel or Reservist
• Families - spouses, civil partners, children but where appropriate can also include parents, unmarried partners or other family members
• Bereaved - immediate family of the deceased, whatever the reason for their death

Does it apply to you?

If you are a member of the Armed Forces, a Veteran, or a family member, the Armed Forces Covenant offers a wide variety of support to ensure you are being treated fairly.

If you are a business, or a community organisation, you can find out how to show your support.

Visit Armed Forces Covenant guidance and support for information on the breadth of the covenant and the support it provides.

If you are a business, community group or charity working with serving or former members of the British Armed Forces you may be eligible to apply for funding to support your projects. Further guidance and eligibility criteria is available on their dedicated websites:

• The Veterans’ Foundation Grants – Up to £30,000 for Charities and Charitable Activities, including new projects that support their aims across a range of activities  https://www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/
• Force for Change programme: The Armed Forces Covenant Fund – up to £10,000 to support for projects that reduce isolation, promote integration or support post-COVID recover in Armed Forces Communities. Round two closes 2^nd August 2021. Round three closes 19^th November 2021 Armed Forces Covenant Fund: Force for Change programme: The Armed Forces Covenant Trust
• Sustaining Support for Armed Forces Communities - up to £100,000 for existing charitable projects to sustain activities and services that people from Armed Forces communities use and value. Round one closes 4^th June 2021. Round two closes 9^th September 2021. Sustaining Support for Armed Forces Communities programme: The Armed Forces Covenant Trust

Further information on this Website

Support and Advice

Get Involved

Essex and Suffolk Military Herald

Useful Documents

Armed Forces Covenant Annual Report 2019

Covenant on a Page 2019