The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has launched a further Covenant Fund programme under its exciting three-year Funding Framework.
The Hidden Voices programme is now open for applications for grants of up £20,000 for projects that will provide accessible mental health and wellbeing services for under-represented serving Armed Forces personnel, Reservists, Veteran and families.
What is the Hidden Voices programme all about?
The Trust ran a public consultation in 2023, which identified that one of the key areas to focus on was ‘reducing isolation and loneliness for Armed Forces communities.’ This programme will enable and deliver accessible mental health and wellbeing support, as well as to identify known and unknown gaps in service provision. The consultation findings are available to read on The Trust website.
The Hidden Voices programme will support projects which achieve all the following outcomes:
- Build collaborative partnerships between Armed Forces organisations and specialist non- Armed Forces organisations.
- Identity and address known and unknown gaps in service provision.
- Provide accessible, preventative, and defined interventions.
- Increase knowledge and understanding with mainstream voluntary sector of the unique needs of the Armed Forces community.
Who can apply?
The Trust is inviting applications from UK-based registered charities and Community interest Companies (CIC) with substantial recent experienc3e of supporting Armed Forces communities.
What type of projects are The Trust looking to support?
Projects aimed on focusing support for serving or Veteran families who are seldom heard, enabling access to tailored mental health and wellbeing support.
If you apply for a grant, you will need to demonstrate that your project focuses on prevention and early intervention through collaborative efforts to identify both known and unknown gaps in service provision.
The programme is now open for applications and the first closing date is 12 noon on 11 September 2024. If you’re not yet ready to apply, there will be a later closing date in early 2025.
Anna Wright, Chief Executive at the Trust said:
“We have designed the Hidden Voices programme with community feedback to address the needs of marginalised groups within the Armed Forces community. This programme will provide essential access to mental health and wellbeing support while identifying gaps in service provisions.
“As we continue to launch an exciting series of new programmes, our key aim remains to make a positive impact on the lives of our Armed Forces community.”
Find out more
Full details of this exciting new programme, including eligibility and how to apply can be found on the Trust’s website: www.covenantfund.org.uk
Keep up to date with funding opportunities
For the latest updates and announcements on each of the 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
