Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served and their families, are treated fairly.
The aim of the Covenant is to ensure that no member of the armed forces community should face disadvantage in the provision of public services compared to any other citizen.
On 6 September 2013, we proudly signed (the then named) ‘Armed Forces Community Covenant’ at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court with representatives of the military, business, faith and voluntary communities in Mole Valley in attendance.
At Mole Valley we know that just signing the Covenant isn’t enough and that we, along with other local authorities and providers of public services, are on a journey to improve service provision for in-service families and veterans.
We are a learning and listening council, so if there is a particular service we provide that you feel does not properly reflect the needs of in-service families or veterans please let us know. We want to improve.
Mole Valley Veterans’ Hub
In 2019, with support from Surrey County Council (SCC), we grant funded the Mole Valley Veterans’ Hub.
Run by Veterans on a voluntary basis, the Hub offers support and friendship to Veterans and their families, running activities throughout the year, as well as a monthly drop-in.
The aim of Mole Valley Veterans’ Hub is to ensure that no Veteran ever feels alone.
Support for Veterans
There is a wealth of services across the UK that offer support to veterans.
Some of these services are listed in more detail below:
Veterans Gateway
Veterans Gateway put veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the advice and support they need.
The Surrey Pathway
The Surrey Pathway initiative has been funded via the Armed Forces Covenant and establishes pathways of services that support the Armed Forces Community.
This has been done in parallel to the Service Champion Training which is also being carried out across the South East.
Forces Connect mobile app
The Forces Connect mobile app was developed to help people find agencies offering advice guidance and support quickly.
It is easy to navigate and can be downloaded via Google Play and the Apple Store.
The app contains a comprehensive list of services and contact information that have been checked and validated by the NHS Armed Forces Networks and FCSE Partnering authorities.
It is not exhaustive. If you would like to add a service to the list please send full details to fcse@surreycc.gov.uk.
Commemoration and War Memorials
As part of its respect for the Armed Forces, we organise and participate in annual commemoration events on Remembrance Day, as well as supporting Armed Forces Day.
Find War Memorials within Mole Valley.
Forces friendly employer
We are committed to working closely with and supporting current and former Armed Forces employees and their families.
In 2016, we became a bronze award holder for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in acknowledgement of our commitment and support to the Armed Forces Community.
A current or former Armed Forces employee, or immediate family member (i.e. spouse, partner or child living with a current or former Armed Forces employee) applying for a position at MVDC will be offered an interview where they meet all of the essential shortlisting criteria for an advertised job.
Armed Forces Covenant for business
Businesses, charitable, and public sector organisations of all sizes who wish to support the Armed Forces community can sign the covenant.
You make your own promises on how you will demonstrate your support.
More information on this and how to become a ‘Forces Friendly Employer’, including applying to the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme awards, can be found on the Armed Forces Covenant Businesses pages.
Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT) supports the Armed Forces Covenant by delivering funding programmes that create real change to Armed Forces communities across the UK.
The AFCFT is a charity, classified as a Non-Departmental Public Body, or NDPB. All grants are awarded through specific programmes.
Each programme has an aim, which describes the change that AFCFT would like the funded projects to achieve. Funding programmes are based on evidence of challenges that people within the Armed Forces community face, and where funding would be able to make a significant difference to the problem.
The AFCTF has four broad themes:
- Non-core healthcare services for veterans
- Removing barriers to family life
- Extra support, both in and after Service, for those that need help
- Measures to integrate military and civilian communities and allow the Armed Forces community to participate as citizens