This website contains a range of useful information for professionals working with the Armed Forces Community ( veterans, service leavers, reservists and their families. )
Working with the Armed Forces Community
In 2019 it was estimated that there are approximately 107,000 veterans living in Devon. This led to the publishing of a refreshed South West Peninsula Veterans Joint Needs Assessment. For a large proportion of these veterans, serving in the Armed Forces was a positive experience. However, a minority experience adverse physical and mental health problems. These problems can be compounded by other factors such as financial and welfare problems.
Many veterans experience problems with accessing appropriate services in comparison to the civilian population. These access problems may be further complicated by a lack of understanding of the armed forces culture within civilian services.
The Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant sets out the relationship between the nation, the government and the armed forces. It recognises that the whole nation has a moral obligation to members of the armed forces and their families. It establishes how armed forces personnel should expect to be treated. Find out more about the Covenant and what it means for you.
The Covenant’s two principles are :
- the Armed Forces Community should not face 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 exists to redress the disadvantages that the Armed Forces Community may face in comparison to other citizens, and to recognise sacrifices made.
Further Resources
Guidance supporting the health and wellbeing of military families.
South West Peninsula Veteran’s Health Needs Assessment
Produced by the Devon Armed Forces Community Health and Wellbeing Partnership in 2014, this health needs assessment reports on the health and wellbeing needs of the veteran population in the South West Peninsula to guide decisions about the commissioning of appropriate services. This was updated in 2019.
The Armed Forces Covenant for front line workers.
The vast majority of the 2.8 million ex-Servicemen and women living in Britain today have successfully adapted to civilian life, putting the skills and experience they acquired while serving in the Armed Forces to good use. However, a significant minority can be in need of support either at the point of discharge or many years afterwards.
This e-learning has been developed by the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership. It explains the commitment of the Armed Forces Covenant and how it can be honoured and implemented in the Community. It will help you understand and apply the principles of the Covenant at a local level. It also provides sources of further information and support.
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