Breaking down barriers; building bridges; addressing trauma. The Armed Forces Covenant Trust’s (the Trust) Fulfilling Futures programme has supported six outstanding projects totalling more than £850,000 to improve the lives of veterans negatively impacted by their service.
Support to lead fulfilling lives
Each project represents new, tailored work to support groups of veterans including those with physical injuries, those who have experienced military sexual trauma, those living with PTSD and other complex mental health issues, LGBT+ veterans and women veterans. Though each tackles a different cohort, each aims to mitigate the effects of the barriers preventing them from having a fulfilling life after service.
Reducing isolation and building connections
Working UK-wide, British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association (BLESMA) will use their award of £300,000 to deliver a new, three-year therapeutic wellness programme supporting limbless and injured veterans. They’ll offer activities and coaching/mentoring opportunities aimed at breaking down barriers and helping individuals progress positively through their recovery.
With a focus LGBT+ veterans, families and carers, and other minority groups in the East of England, The Bridge for Heroes will use their award of £73,129 to improve awareness, provide targeted services, and build connections with existing veteran organisations. They will address specific needs to reduce isolation and ensure long-term integration of support within veteran services.
Helen Taylor MBE, CEO at The Bridge for Heroes, said:
“We are delighted to receive this grant from the Fulfilling Futures programme. It will enable us to build upon our valued partnership with Fighting with Pride, providing enhanced support to LGBT+ veterans and other minority groups across the East of England over the next 18 months.”
Supporting women veterans
Support for women veterans is the main focus for two of our funded projects. We’ve awarded We Are With You £93,000 to deliver a women-centred pilot initiative designed to support women veterans who are facing challenges with drugs and alcohol, addressing trauma related to their experiences in the armed forces. This UK-wide project will include evidence-based clinical therapy alongside broader drug and alcohol support.
In South West England, we awarded Turn to Starboard £50,000 to offer tailored, healing and recovery themed sailing retreats to women veterans with trauma-based mental health challenges, directly linked to experiences of Military Sexual Trauma (MST).
Tackling complex mental health issues
Taking a new approach to support veterans and their families in Northern Ireland, Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) were awarded £298,470 to provide clinical support through Registered Nurses to manage complex mental health conditions such as PTSD.
While in Buckinghamshire, we awarded Service Dogs UK £37,588 for a new training hub which will provide a dedicated space where armed forces veterans with PTSD can come together in a supportive environment. The veterans will be paired with and train their assistance dog in a group alongside other veterans with similar complex needs. The aim is to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, build connections and share their recovery journeys.
Garry Botterill, Founder of Service Dogs UK, told us:
“This vital funding will enable us to continue our mission of transforming the lives of veterans from the armed forces who live with PTSD. Through the power of PTSD Assistance Dogs, we help veterans regain confidence, independence, and a renewed sense of purpose. This support will allow us to reach even more veterans in need, ensuring they receive the life-changing support they deserve. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for recognising the impact of our work and for standing with us in support of those who have served.”
Positive futures
Anna Wright, Chief Executive at the Trust, said:
“This funding is supporting people whose lives have been forever changed in all sorts of ways by their experiences of service – and we’ve been really struck by the breadth and depth of the projects being funded. It’s so easy to talk about changing lives, but it’s the mission which links all of these projects and we’re looking forward to learning from the work they do.”
Find out more
For a full list of all awardees from the Fulfilling Futures programme, visit the Trust’s website www.covenantfund.org.uk
Keep up to date with funding opportunities
For the latest updates and announcements on Covenant Fund programmes, and any other funding opportunities the Trust has available throughout the year, sign up to their e-newsletter via their website www.covenantfund.org.uk
