The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has announced a new funding opportunity for charities supporting bereaved military families.
The Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme will seek to build a strong, collaborative network to meet the needs of those who have given most.
Understanding the needs of the bereaved military community
In late 2024, the Trust commissioned Alma Economics to explore the needs, experiences and priorities of the bereaved Armed Forces community, as well as to map the scope of support currently available.
Anna Wright, Chief Executive of the Trust, said:
“Using the findings from our commissioned research, we have ensured this new programme will facilitate partnerships across the bereavement sector, while creating a centralised list of all bereavement support available. We will seek to expand the support available to family members, including wider family members, and increase mental health provision for both adults and children. Ultimately, we hope this programme will support the development of a long-term bereavement strategy.
“In designing the programme, we have been mindful that the lived experiences of the military bereaved shine through, and we will expect to see this in the successful projects too.”
Empowering bereaved military families
This is a two-stage programme, which will award a single grant of up £1.8 million to an organisation which will lead a portfolio of support for the bereaved military community.
The successful bid will need to achieve long-term, transformational change in the non-statutory support provided to bereaved military families. This includes achieving each of the following outcomes.
- Bereaved military families, including wider family members, feel it’s straightforward to access mental health support throughout the stages of grief.
- Bereaved military families feel that support is equitable, inclusive and holistic, regardless of the nature of bereavement.
- Bereaved military families feel a sense of connection to the community, should they wish to retain that.
- Strong collaboration between organisations working to support bereaved military families, and commitment to this as a sustainable way of working together.
- Better access to holistic packages of support, combining peer-led and professional support.
Find out more
The Trust is now accepting expressions of interest. Full details are available on their website: www.covenantfund.org.uk
The closing date for submission is midday, Wednesday 2 April 2025, with successful stage one applicants invited to make a full application at stage two.
The Trust is hosting a lunch and learn webinar on 24 February, 12-1pm, to provide an opportunity to learn more about this programme and the findings from the research they commissioned. Details of how to sign up to attend are available at the link below along with the research report: Research into the needs of the bereaved Armed Forces community.
https://covenantfund.org.uk/programme/empowering-bereaved-military-families-programme/
