The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has awarded over £250,000 in the latest round of awards, under their ‘Force for Change Programme’. This is the second round of awards this financial year, of what is a popular and impactful programme of funding.
The Force for Change programme enables organisations to reduce social isolation by addressing specific and compelling needs, in a meaningful way. Previous and current awards deliver a real difference to Armed Forces communities, targeting specific needs and gaps in provision.
This latest round features projects that are both diverse and impact driven. They range from helping veterans access hearing related advice and support in Scotland; to enabling veterans and their families to rebuild their lives following contact with the criminal justice system in Wales. In Northern Ireland, veterans in custody have been supported, and in England, funding will help to support veterans and family members coping with a cancer diagnosis.
Ensuring positive impact
Sonia Howe, Director of Policy and Communication at the Trust said:
“We’ve once again received a very high number of applications to the programme, which meant making tough decisions and ensuring the projects we did support will have the most impact on the Forces communities they target.
A rise in the number of applications we are receiving is a growing trend – showing just how much funding like this is needed with Forces communities.”
Person-centred support
Headway Lincolnshire were awarded £10,000 to support Armed Forces communities who have been affected by a life changing brain injury. Their project, ‘Making Headway’, will support local Armed Forces communities to access support, advice, signposting and friendship through a range of regular and accessible sessions to support mental health/wellbeing.
Ann-Marie Smith, Co-ordinator and Development Officer – Headway Lincolnshire, said:
“We are acutely aware that in our local community there are many serving personnel, veterans and families that are affected by life changing brain injury. Our aim is to provide tailored and person-centred support where required. The Force for Change funding will significantly help us achieve this.”
Specialist support
Lancashire North, Force for Good is a project delivered by Red Rose Recovery; utilising lived experience. They also offer one-to-one support for veterans in North Lancashire who are struggling with addiction, mental illness, housing or isolation.
Sarah O’Mara, Team Leader North, explains how funding will help them to provide specialist support to Armed Forces communities in their local area.
“The appointment of a dedicated Armed Forces Champion who has experienced similar challenges to those faced by our beneficiaries will allow us to provide specialist support to a community that has given so much”.
Find out more
The Trust has awarded more than half a million pounds so far this financial year under their Force for Change programme, with a further round of awards still to be made.
For a full list of awards made under the Force for Change programme in the latest and previous rounds, check out the Trust website, www.covenantfund.org.uk
