Armed Forces Covenant

North Lincolnshire Council has a dedicated Armed Forces Hub to support all of our Armed Forces Community, the hub is at 186 High Street in Scunthorpe.

The hub aims to support all members of the armed forces community with wrap around care, whether that be in relation to health, housing, employment or access to social activities or volunteering opportunities.

The hub is supported by an experienced covenant officer as well as external partnerships together with voluntary community sector groups who are all able to provide expert information advice and support to the whole of the armed forces community.

It has a vibrant community with lots of activities taking place each week. For more information, please visit Livewell North Lincolnshire or alternatively contact the Armed Forces Hub via email at armed.forces@northlincs.gov.uk or telephone on 01724 298252.

The current offer includes:

• Modelling craft club: it is for all of the armed forces community – eg, grandchildren could come with grandparents if they wanted. Takes place every Monday from 9.30am.
• GEO group, every Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm. It is a group for veterans, serving personnel and for the wider community, that could a be son of, dad of etc, to help with their mental health and provide a place to talk.  It is a men only group and it is facilitated by Hull 4 Heroes.
• Coffee morning, every Wednesday from 10am to 12 noon.

The Veterans Gateway 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.

Visit the Veterans Gateway website for more information.

The Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee (VAPC) acts as ombudsman and exists to serve and support ex-service personnel, their widows or widowers and their immediate family members by providing prompt comprehensive support to those in need.

It is not a charity, but an independent non departmental public body, established by Parliament under the War Pensions Act 1921 and Social Security Act 1989.

Members are recruited from the Yorkshire and Humber area and include both service leavers and civilians. Individuals are appointed by, and are responsible to, the Secretary of State for Defence. Limited resource support is provided through the Ministry of Defence but committee members are unpaid volunteers.

The VAPC identifies:

• all serving and ex-serving groups within Yorkshire and Humber
• key stakeholders already ‘bought in’ for example, charities/councils
• key external stakeholders for example, NHS, job centres
• prevailing needs and issues affecting the veteran community.

Having done that it:

• establishes mutually beneficial working relationships with all stakeholders and updates them routinely on veteran’s issues
• raises awareness of veterans needs within the general public
• compiles/co-ordinates information and makes it available to all relevant agencies and bodies

The VAPC wants:

• every veteran in Yorkshire and Humber to know that the VAPC exists and to be aware of the kind of support they can expect recognition for the work it does on behalf of the veteran community
• all agencies to know they can contact the VAPC for advice, assistance and support about the veteran community and more importantly, to do so
• the general public to be widely aware of the VAPC and understand its role.

More information is available from Veterans UK on Gov.UK and VAPC Yorkshire and Humber on Gov.UK

If you would like to be put in touch with your local VAPC please contact:

• from the UK: 0808 191 4218
• from Overseas: 01253 866043
• email: veterans-uk@mod.uk

There is funding available to support projects that fulfil the aims of the Covenant through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

Defence Discount Service – provides discounts both online and on the high street for members of the Armed Forces, Veterans and Armed Forces Community.

North Lincolnshire Council offer serving Armed Forces personnel and reservists savings on a range of leisure activities within North Lincolnshire.

You can purchase an Active Card from any North Lincolnshire Council Leisure Centre with proof of address and circumstance. Cards cost £5.50 and are valid for 12 months from date of purchase.

Home to Company Shop stores – enables the biggest retailers, manufacturers, food service and logistics providers to unlock value from surplus stock, which may have otherwise gone to waste.  Company Shop members enjoy a unique way of shopping, offering them surplus products from well-known brands at amazing prices, helping stretched budgets go further.  Membership is free and open to employees and pension recipients of the NHS, Care and Emergency Services, Prison Service, British Armed Forces and the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods supply chain.

The aim of the North Lincolnshire Armed Forces Covenant is to encourage local communities to support the Armed Forces community in their area. Local people and businesses already support the services community by:

• Fundraising for service charities
• Taking part in military events and celebrations such as Armed Forces Day
• Buying a poppy

Future activities

Future activities could include:

• Creating support networks for families of serving military personnel
• Running youth groups or sports clubs for the children of servicemen or women
• Offering commercial discounts
• Promoting job vacancies in your company to service leavers via the Career Transition Partnership website
• Taking part in The Big Brew Up – SSAFA’s biggest fundraising event of the year

UK War Memorials

UK War Memorials – a one-stop shop for information on all UK war memorials along with where to go for advice and funding.  Discover how you can be at the heart of protecting and conserving local war memorials.

Let us know how you support the Armed Forces Covenant

Let us know what you are doing to support the Armed Forces Covenant by emailing armed.forces@northlincs.gov.uk

Even simple demonstrations of support (such as displaying the Armed Forces Day window sticker in cars and businesses) can have a positive effect. The benefits could be mutual, with local armed forces getting involved in local projects, educational and sporting events.

Volunteering in the Armed Forces Community Hub

Opportunities are available to support your local Armed Forces community by becoming a volunteer in the Armed Forces Community Hub. For more information or to register your interest please contact us at armed.forces@northlincs.gov.uk.

The MOD’s Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC) promotes lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces. The scheme provides financial support in each of a maximum of three separate financial years for higher level learning of a nationally recognised qualification at Level three or above

There are a number of training packages to support delivery of the Covenant, specifically designed for front line staff in local government, housing and the NHS.  You can find the training using the following links:

• Front line staff
• Housing
• NHS

Support and advice for the Armed Forces community

There are a wide range of services specifically designed for the Armed Forces community available from the Ministry of Defence, public sector and voluntary and community sector organisations.

Ministry of Defence

Responsible for the UK armed forces.

• Defence Transition Services (DTS) is a statutory agency run by the MOD’s Veterans UK. It exists to provide information and support for those service leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the armed forces and adjust to civilian life
• Support services for military and defence personnel and their families: healthcare, housing and support services available for military personnel
• Support for war veterans: find out about legacy health, recognition, return to civilian life, support from the voluntary sector, commemoration and payment schemes
• Veterans UK: administers the Armed Forces pension scheme and compensation payments

Armed Forces

• British Army welfare and support
• Royal Navy community support
• Royal Airforce community support
• Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) in Yorkshire and the Humber: an independent, community-based organisation with the responsibility of advising and assisting the Defence Council on issues concerning the 3,000 reservists and more than 8,500 cadets in the region.

Armed Forces charities

A wide range of charities provide support and care for the Armed Forces community.

• Royal British Legion: shoulder to shoulder with all who serve
• SSAFA: lifelong support for our Forces and their families
• Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity: giving a better quality of life to those in service and veterans
• Veterans UK: bringing together services for veterans
• Confederation of Service Charities: provides a single point of contact for interaction with Government, including local government and the Devolved Administrations; with the Royal Household; with the Private Sector; and with other members of the Armed Forces Community.
• Charity Choice: more ways to give. This website provides information on over 160,000 registered charities, including all charities registered in England and Wales.
• Help for Heroes: practical, direct support for our wounded
• Army Benevolent Fund – ABF The Soldiers’ Charity: lifetime support to serving and retired soldiers and their families
• BLESMA: a national charity that directly supports Service men and women who have lost limbs and the use of limbs or the loss of eyesight
• Blind Veterans UK: life beyond sight loss
• RBLI: Royal British Legion Industries provide treatment, training and support to the Armed Forces community
• RAFA: the charity that supports the RAF family
• Project Nova: supporting veterans who have been arrested or are at risk of arrest. Operating in four areas of the UK. The East of England, North West, North East and South Yorkshire and Humberside.

Health and wellbeing

Information on healthcare support and services.

• With You  – Get free, confidential support with alcohol, drugs or mental health from one of our local services or online.
• Op Courage – The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing service
• Mental Health Matters Helpline – a 24/7 helpline for people with mental health problems in need of emotional guidance and information
• North Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group: For information on local health services including access to GPs and dentists
• NHS: The online ‘front door’ to the NHS. It is the country’s biggest health website and gives all the information you need to make choices about your health
• NHS 111 service: NHS 111 is a service to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services in England. You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency
• NHS Armed Forces Healthcare: Healthcare information for military personnel and veterans, including getting treatment and contacts. Covers Hospital Care; Rehabilitation; Mental Health Services and Veterans
• Samaritans: A confidential emotional support service
• Blind Veterans UK: National charity dedicated to supporting blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women, no matter when they served or how they lost their sight.
• Combat Stress: If you’re a veteran worried about your mental health, Combat Stress can help
• Together all – a safe online community of people who are anxious, down or not coping who support and help each other by sharing what’s troubling them, guided by trained professionals
• Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison Service (TILS)

Financial support for the Armed Forces

Links to organisations that can provide financial advice and support.

• Citizens Advice Bureau: An independent local charity which provides free information and advice to everyone who needs its
• Benefits and concessions for the Armed Forces, veterans and their families (CAB): There are many different kinds of financial help available for people in the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.
• Pension and compensation schemes for the armed forces, veterans and their families (CAB): Information on pension schemes available to current and former members of the armed forces, depending on when they served. Covers types of scheme, help for war widows and widowers, help for people who sustained injuries during their service and sources of further help.
• Money Helper: Free, unbiased and independent advice.
• Defence Discount Service: the only official Ministry of Defence (MOD) discount service and also home of the Defence Privilege Card.
• Benefit and Council Tax Support: Advice on who can claim benefits, what you can claim, advice on housing and council tax support and contact details for the service.

Housing support

Members of the armed forces, ex-service personnel and their families can face unique housing challenges. The information below aims to help you consider the alternative housing options that are available for you to find good quality, affordable housing that meets your individual needs.

Support from North Lincolnshire Council

We offer advice about a range of housing options and services, these include:

• Housing
• Home Ownership Schemes
• Homelessness
• Funding for repairs and improvements
• Housing Benefits

Other housing links

• Information and guidance on civilian housing. Civilian housing options; information for service personnel and their dependants.
• Housing and local services (GOV.UK): Information on applying for council and housing association housing and benefits.
• Forces Help to Buy (GOV.UK): A scheme to help armed forces personnel get on the property ladder.
• Shelter: Advice on housing, where to live and homelessness.
• The Royal British Legion provide short and long term care for serving and ex-Service people and their dependants in Royal British Legion Care Homes around the country.
• SSAFA offers advice and assistance to anyone eligible for their help, whether they are serving or ex-service, or a family member of someone with a service connection. The SSAFA also provide housing and residential home facilities.
• Housing options for people leaving the Armed Forces, veterans and their families (Citizens Advice Bureau): Information for people who are about to leave the armed forces, veterans and dependents, on finding accommodation. Covers sources of help and care homes for veterans and disabled ex-service personnel.
• Buying a home (Money Helper): Work out your overall buying and moving costs, first time buyer advice, and tips and tools to help you work out what you can afford.
• Renting and Letting (Money Helper): Advice to help you work out how much rent you can afford, and how to budget and share costs when renting

Children, families and education

Support services for armed forces personnel and their families.

• The Family Information Service provides free, impartial advice to families living in North Lincolnshire.
• Apply for a school place in North Lincolnshire
• Army Families Federation (AFF): improves life for  army families
• Defence Gateway: a Defence Gateway website for army members and their families
• Naval Families Federation (NFF): the association for Royal Navy and Royal Marines families
• RAF Families Federation (RAF FF): the association for RAF personnel and their families
• RELATE: the relationship people
• Children’s Education Advisory Service: provides expert and impartial advice about the education of service children

Education, skills and employment

Links to organisations in the area that can help your job search, careers advice or support in becoming self-employed:

• Job Centre Plus: The Department for Work and Pensions working-age support service.
• Latest Jobs with North Lincolnshire Council.
• Career Transition Partnership:  Ministry of Defence working with Right Management. Service leavers of all ranks from the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines can all benefit from resettlement support, career transition advice and training opportunities.
• Remploy: Armed Forces & Veterans Services – provider of employment services for disabled people
• North Lincolnshire Adult Education Service: browse North Lincolnshire Council’s Adult Education brochure.
• Open University: find out what courses the OU offer, financial support for studying and working at the Open University.
• National Careers Service: provides careers advice and information on a wide range of jobs, training course resources and funding.
• RFEA: provide life-long, life-changing support, jobs and training opportunities to service leavers and veterans irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.
• Poppy Factory: The Poppy Factory supports veterans with health conditions in North Lincolnshire on their journey into employment, helping them overcome any barriers.