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Portsmouth’s armed forces covenant
As a council we recognise the contribution and sacrifice made by members of the Armed Forces community, and the unique skills and attributes they bring to our workplace. We are proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant. This short film provides an overview of the Covenant and its importance.
In 2017 Portsmouth, Southampton, Gosport and Isle of Wight councils came together to adopt a partnership approach to delivering the covenant within the Solent region of the wider County of Hampshire. Entitled Strengthening Local Covenant delivery, the aim of this partnership is to:
- Raise awareness among serving personnel, reservists and veterans of the support they can expect from local authorities;
- Provide a broader understanding of the needs of the local veteran population as well as serving personnel during transition to civilian life;
- Evaluate the impact of these initiatives.
The Solent Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board representing Portsmouth, Southampton and Gosport, and the Isle of Wight Civil Military Partnership Boards, refreshed in 2017, provides strategic governance for local delivery of the Covenant.
Help and support
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
New Veterans Drop In Service in Portsmouth
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.
The Veterans Gateway
The Veterans Gateway launched in 2017 can put veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the information, advice and support they need – from healthcare and housing to employability, finances, personal relationships and more.
We have been working with organisations across the Solent to add local service information to the Gateway.
Show your support
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.
Covenant funding
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
Armed Forces Covenant needs assessment
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.
Success stories
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”
