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Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is a nationwide agreement between the armed forces community, the nation and the government. It recognises "the value serving personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country."

The key principles of the covenant are that: 

  • no member of the armed forces community should face disadvantage when accessing local services; and 
  • in some circumstances special treatment may be appropriate, especially for the injured and bereaved. 

Stroud District Council has signed and is wholly committed to the Armed Forces Covenant. 

The following section provides information about the Armed Forces covenant in Stroud district and links to help and support for members of the Armed Forces and their families.

There are a number of independent veteran support groups in the Stroud district where veterans can meet face-to-face in a relaxed, safe, social environment to enjoy banter, combat loneliness and enjoy the company of people with shared experiences (often with breakfast).

We do our best to ensure the details here are up to date, but if they aren’t, or you would like your group added, please contact us. Email: armedforceschampions@stroud.gov.uk

We provide advice and support for our statutory services such as housing, welfare and financial support and healthy living.   

Our Housing Advice service and Housing Service (for council tenants) guarantee a face to face interview for veterans.

Other services such as education and social services are the responsibility of Gloucestershire County Council 

Stroud District Council has an Armed Forces Champion Group and includes three councillors, Chair of Council Cllr Kate Kay, Cllr Shyama Ananthan and Cllr Paul Turner, and council officers with useful skills, knowledge and experience. It meets regularly with local veterans and representatives of veterans' groups to make sure the aims of the covenant are being followed.  

 

Joining Forces Gloucestershire Older Veterans' Information Guide - a guide to support available by Age UK Gloucestershire and SSAFA Gloucestershire. 

  • Gloucestershire County Council: Education, employment, social support and other useful links   
  • Veterans UK: support for veterans and their families, including a helpline, Veterans Welfare Service, Defence Transition Services and injury/bereavement compensation scheme payments. Veterans UK is part of the Ministry of Defence
  • WRAC Association 

Armed Forces Day is a chance for people to show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. There are many ways for people, communities and organisations across the country to show their support and get involved. 

Armed Forces Day takes place on the last Saturday each June. 

Reservists give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career to ensure that should their country require them, they would be ready to serve as part of the military. 

Reserves Day was created to highlight and recognise the valuable contribution Reservists make to our Armed Forces, and are encouraged to wear their uniform on the day.