The Armed Forces Covenant and Veteran's Support in Hounslow
Hounslow Armed Forces Covenant
1.1 The Armed Forces Act 2021 amends the Armed Forces Act 2006 to create a legal obligation on relevant bodies, when exercising relevant statutory functions, to have due regard to the three principles of the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC). This is the Armed Forces Covenant Duty.
1.2 The Principles of the AFC:
- Members of the Armed Forces Community should not face disadvantages arising from their service in the provision of public and commercial services.
- In some circumstances special provision may be justified, especially for those who have given the most, such as the injured or bereaved.
1.3 The new duty will apply to specified persons or bodies, including councils, when exercising certain housing, education or healthcare functions (excluding social care). The private sector is not in scope. When such a body develops, implements or reviews a relevant policy, or makes decisions on its delivery of relevant services, it must consider the Covenant principles. Namely, whether the Armed Forces Community experiences disadvantages, attributable to the unique obligations and sacrifices of service life, that can be removed, and whether special provision is merited. The Duty is not prescriptive about the actions bodies should take in order to comply, and it does not mandate specific public service delivery outcomes or advantageous treatment of the Armed Forces Community.
Veteran's Support in Hounslow
If you wish to be a part of a community providing friendship, chat and support as a serving or ex Armed Forces Community member living in or connected to The London Borough of Hounslow you are welcome to attend our cafés.
- These are safe spaces for veterans to speak with each other and a variety of professionals. It supports veterans to access a range of help with health and social issues, via specialist case workers and peers. All ex-service personnel are welcome, no matter service length. This includes serving personnel with a set discharge date.
- There will also be a space where relaxing skills and games can be learned and played with fellow veterans, such as origami, chess and other board games.
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Armed Forces Cafes in Hounslow 2024. |
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Royal British Legion Isleworth
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Heston and Isleworth Fire Station
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Please email community.cohesion@hounslow.gov.uk for information about the cafés and any other queries concerning Armed Forces Veteran support.
Restorative measures for veterans who served in HM Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000
- On 13 December 2023, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched the ‘Application and Registration of Interest’ forms for those affected by the historic policy prohibiting LGBT personnel from serving in HM Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000.
- Impacted personnel can apply for restorative measures which range from acknowledgements such as individual apology letters to permanent amendments to records which remove dishonour from veterans’ records, and providing replacement Certificates of Service.
- Please contact lgbt-restorativeaction@mod.gov.uk if you have any questions.
HM Armed Forces Veteran Card
- The HM Armed Forces Veteran Card is a quick and easy way to prove your status as a veteran.
- It’s a recognition of your service and can be one of the ways that helps you maintain a link with your service identity.
Apply for a Veteran Card
- If you have left service since 2019, you should have received an HM Armed Forces Veteran Card when leaving.
- If you left service before 2019, you can apply by clicking the button below.
- Apply now
Service Charities and Organisations
Below is a flavour of the online support services available to Armed Forces personnel - for list of others please review the SSAFA site here https://www.ssafa.org.uk/
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Contact |
Description |
Contact Details |
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Armed Forces General Support & Gateway Services. |
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Veterans Gateway |
Veterans' Gateway, is the first point of contact for veterans seeking support, putting veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the information, advice and support they need. From healthcare, housing to employability, finances, personal relationships and much more.
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https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk 0808 802 1212 |
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SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity |
SSAFA - provides practical support and assistance to servicemen and women, veterans and families with dedicated welfare and benefits advice, health and social care support. It offers specialised support for bereaved families and those who are wounded, injured or sick. SSAFA - offer a Gurkha Service a specialist Nepali language service for members of the Brigade of Gurkhas and their relatives. |
Contact Forcesline on 0800 731 4880
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Royal British Legion |
Provides practical support for serving men and women, veterans (ex-service of all ages) and their families. It provides help with finances, living independently, mental well-being, care homes finding employment or starting a business. They also support respite breaks. |
https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/ Contact 0808 802 8080 -8am to 8pm (7 days per week). |
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Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB) Hounslow |
CAB provide free, independent confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. CAB aim to improve the policies and practices that affect people's lives. They offer specific advice online for the Armed Forces community |
0808 278 7830 |
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Military Advocacy Service |
The seAp Military Advocacy Service supports veterans, reservists and their direct families, with health, housing, financial, family and social issues. Their specialist service offers understanding and appreciates the distinct needs of veterans. Their advocacy work helps get armed forces personnel lives back on track. |
0330 440 9000 |
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Health Support |
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Combat Stress |
Mental health charity which works with veterans and members of the Reserve forces. |
0800 138 1619 |
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Help for Heroes - Hidden Wounds
Help for Heroes - recovery centres |
Mental health and wellbeing service providing free and confidential support to Ex-service personnel, their families and the families of those still serving. Those living with anxiety, depression, stress, anger or those wishing to change their alcohol habits.
Provides a range of support and services for wounded, injured and sick serving (Regulars & Reserves) and ex-service personnel who have suffered illness and or injuries in the service of the Nation.
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0808 2020 144
01980 844200
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Housing |
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Hounslow Borough Council Housing Advice Team |
Hounslow Housing Services is operated from our new building at Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB. Check online for times of operational. Please note, Hounslow affirms support for those who serve or have served through its commitment to the AFC. |
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Homeless / Shelter |
Provides advice and guidance on issues relation to housing and homelessness |
0808 800 4444 |
Hounslow Council was the first local authority in London to set up a Community Military Partnership Board to pledge support and to take this work forward.
* Councillor John Stroud-Turp is the Armed Forces Champion (Elected Member) 2023.
Further information on the Armed Forces Covenant
What is being done?
The Covenant focuses on helping members of the Armed Forces community have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen. This support is provided in a number of areas including:
- education and family well-being
- having a home
- starting a new career
- access to healthcare
- financial services
The Covenant Fund
Information on how to apply https://covenantfund.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/
If you would like to discuss your application or would like further information on the Hounslow Armed Forces Covenant, please contact Joan Conlon : joan.conlon@hounslow.gov.uk
