Armed Forces Covenant
What is the Armed Forces Covenant?
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, including the bereaved, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives.
Its two principles are that, recognising the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the Armed Forces:
- 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.
The Covenant Legal Duty is a legal obligation on certain public bodies to have due regard to the Covenant principles when carrying out certain functions in healthcare, education, and housing. The public bodies subject to this Legal Duty include local authorities, governing bodies of certain state-funded schools, and various NHS bodies.
More information can be found on the Armed Forces Covenant website : https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk
You can view a copy of Oxfordshire's signed covenant document here.
Useful contacts:
Help for Heroes
Website: www.helpforheroes.org.uk
Email: getsupport@helpforheroes.org.uk
Tel: 0300 303 9888
Op Nova – Forces Employment Charity /Supporting veterans in the Justice System
Website: www.forcesemployment.org.uk
Email: info@forcesemployment.org.uk
Tel: 0121 262 3058
NHS Op Courage Veterans Mental Health Service
Website: www.veteranaware.nhs.uk/op-courage/
The Warrior Programme
Website: www.warriorprogramme.org.uk/
Email: enquiries@warriorprogramme.org.uk
Tel: 0808 8010 898
SSAFA – Oxfordshire
Website: www.ssafa.org.uk/oxfordshire
Tel: 0800 260 6780 (support)
Royal British Legion
Website: www.britishlegion.org.uk
Veterans Card
Website: www.gov.uk/guidance/using-a-veteran-card-as-a-service-leaver
Veteran Aware – NHS Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance
Website: www.veteranaware.nhs.uk/contact/