Portsmouth’s armed forces covenant

The covenant focusses on helping members of the armed forces community have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen. This support is provided in a number of areas including:

• education and family well-being
• housing
• starting a new career
• access to healthcare

We are currently working with our partners and members of the Armed Forces Community to develop a local offer which compliments National Covenant Pledges. If you want to find out more about this work or have a question about local delivery of the Covenant, please email armedforcesspoc@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

The Solent Armed Forces Covenant Partnership has recently opened a veterans drop in service in Gosport open to former members of the British Armed Forces and Reserves and their immediate family members. The service is open on the last Friday of every month from 10am to 2pm at the Gosport Discovery Centre PO12 1BT.

Over 2000 businesses nationally have pledged their commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. Portsmouth City Council contracts now include a Consideration of the Covenant clause. This clause outlines our expectations that our providers demonstrate their commitment to the Armed Forces Community by signing the Covenant, and demonstrate consideration of the Armed Forces community within the services they deliver.

If you are a business or organisation you can find out more and sign up to the Covenant here.

The Covenant fund gives grants to community projects that are mutually beneficial to the Armed Forces community and the civilian community. Projects range from building new nurseries in civilian areas which also have a high density of Armed Forces families, to funding military-themed community activities that increase understanding between the two communities.

You can find out more about Covenant Funding here.

If you are thinking of applying for Covenant funding and want to discuss your idea further please email armedforcesspoc@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

We estimate that 76,207 adults and children are part of the Solent Armed Forces community. The Solent Armed Forces Covenant Partnership have worked together to understand the needs of this community and you can read the full needs assessment here.

This infographic gives some headline information from the assessment.

We value the skills and experience that those leaving the forces bring to our workplace & have an enhanced work placement offer for members of the Armed Forces community to gain new experiences within a civilian work environment.

Captain John Pearce has been on placement with the Through Care Team: “The Army have a focus on coaching and mentoring and developing young people so they can reach their full potential I’ve been able to use those skills with young people in my placement.”

Sarah Newman, Deputy Director of Children and Families Services said “It is very useful to have someone with John’s military experience in the team, working with young people who often struggle with structure, discipline and routine. John is able to bring his experiences of challenging scenarios to the context of children who have been exposed to harmful and traumatic experiences so as to support them to develop strategies for a stronger future”

• Army Families Federation
• British Legion
• Help for Heroes
• Naval Families Federation
• Portsmouth Disability Forum
• RBLI
• Royal Naval Benevolent Trust
• SSAFA
• SSAFA Mentoring
• Veterans outreach support
• Veterans Welfare Service
• You Trust