Armed forces personnel

Advice and support for the armed forces personnel, serving or retired, and their families and information about our armed services covenant.

Page contents

We recognise the value of serving personnel, veterans, reserve forces and military families. We promise to ensure those that serve or have served, and their families, will be treated fairly and will not be disadvantaged by their military life.

The Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is enshrined in law.

The covenant says we must recognise the unique nature of armed forces service and ensure that there is no disadvantage as a result of service. For example, when accessing our services.

We also must allow special treatment where justified, such as in the case of the bereaved or injured.

The Armed Forces Community Covenant is the local level version of the Armed Forces Covenant. We have signed up and pledged our support for it.

The Armed Forces Community Covenant aims to meet the needs of Armed Forces communities, by enabling public services, charities, businesses, communities and individuals to work with the military to provide the most appropriate advice, support and services.

The Royal British Legion have a best practice guide to the covenant in the community.

Support for armed forces personnel

Cllr Vicky Hughes is our Lead Cabinet Member for the Armed Forces.

Linda Jones is our Lead Officer for the Armed Forces. 

Email address: armedforces@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk 

Armed forces champions

Our armed forces champions are Councillors. You can contact them if you need support or if you want to know more about the work we do to help armed forces personnel in our area.

Contact details for our armed forces champions:

Cllr Ben Shirley is our representative to the Reserve Forces' and Cadet Associations (RFCA).

Veterans Services 

Veterans Services have a new online form for referrals, which is quick and easy to use. The service provides information, guidance and welfare support to those who have left or are transitioning out of the armed forces. 

The form offers a simple and secure way for veterans, serving personnel, and those supporting them to request assistance and supporting guidance. It removes the need to download and complete paper or PDF forms. This allows referrals to be submitted directly to the Veterans Services team, who will build and manage your case.  

Most referrals can be completed in just a few minutes if you have the relevant information to hand. This may include contact details for you or the person being referred, such as: 

  • a telephone number
  • address
  • Service number
  • National Insurance number and date of birth

If you have not served, you can still make a referral – just provide the details of the serving person or veteran you are supporting. 

What happens next

Once submitted, your referral is sent directly to the MOD’s Veterans Services Triage team. They will review the information and classify the need before arranging the most appropriate support, including contact from a Case Manager where needed. 

Other ways to refer

Existing referral routes, including downloadable forms, remain available. However, the new online form is the quickest and easiest option for most users. 

Start a referral

You can access the online form and find out more about Veterans Services.

Introducing VALOUR

VALOUR is a new national programme. It's designed to make it easier for veterans across the UK to access the care and support they deserve. 

The programme is led by the Office for Veteran's Affairs in the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It aims to improve how services work together at national, regional and local levels. This will help to make sure that veterans get the right support, in the right place, at the right time. 

How VALOUR works

Valour has three key components:

One: VALOUR recognised centres 

These centres will help veterans access a range of services in one place. They will meet high quality standards. Centres will also regularly share information with the UK government about veteran's needs and experiences, to help improve services in the future.

Two: VALOUR field officers

Field Officers work with councils, public services and charities. They will build strong networks and share what they learn with VALOUR HQ, to help improve services. 

Three: VALOUR HQ

VALOUR HQ is based in the OVA. It provides training and sets standards across the the VALOUR network. It also gathers data and works with policy teams, to make sure that services meet local needs. 

Stay updated on VALOUR

You can sign up for email updates on the VALOUR programme.

These include:

  • programme news 
  • job alerts
  • funding opportunities
  • ways to get involved

Veterans in Communities

Veterans in Communities (VIC) supports ex-service men and women across North West England and have received funding to support veterans in Cumbria. They help veterans and their families by offering:

  • practical support
  • community projects 
  • pathways to health and wellbeing

Health

Veterans Health Hub

The Veterans Health Hub works with GP practices, so they have a better understanding of veteran needs.

Find Veterans Health Hub accredited GP practices [XLS, 310KB] in your area.

Op COURAGE

Op COURAGE is a part of the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service. It’s a specialist NHS mental health service, designed to help veterans and their families in England. 

Op RESTORE

Op RESTORE is part of the Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service. It’s an NHS service and is hosted at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. It supports individuals who have served in, or are leaving, the UK armed forces and have continuing physical health injuries and related medical problems, which are attributed to their time in the Armed Forces. 

Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS)

DMWS offers health advocacy and help, through: 

  • emotional and practical support
  • liaison and communication
  • discharge planning assistance
  • resolving concerns
  • referrals and signposting to specialist services

Mark Kenny is the DMWS Welfare Officer at Furness General Hospital. You can contact Mark by email at mkenny@dwms.org.uk. 

Military bereaved

DWMS bereavement service

As well as health advocacy and support, the DMWS also provide help and support to families who have lost someone in service or related to service. They also work with other organisations such as: 

  • Cruse Bereavement Support, for specialist military grief support
  • The Poppy Factory, which offers employment support for adult members who have lost a loved one during or after military services

Find out how to access bereavement support from the DWMS

War Widows Association

The War Widows Association (WWA) support war widows and their dependents by campaigning, caring for members and remembering the loved ones they have lost. 

The charity helps members by: 

  • holding regular events, both online and in person
  • running an online community for war widows to chat and find out about events 
  • publishing a magazine, Courage, three times a year

Read about the WWA and find out how to get involved.

Housing

Cumbria Choice based lettings 

Cumbria Choice is a subregional partnership. It's formed between the six local authorities and six housing associations across Cumbria. The partnership was formed to create a single platform. This means that customers can apply for available social housing in one location, using one application form.

Support for older veterans in care homes

The Veteran Friendly Framework supports care providers in identifying veterans and their wellbeing needs.

Op FORTITUDE

Op FORTITUDE is the government-backed centralised referral pathway designed to support veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Employment

Armed Forces Personnel and Veterans applying for jobs in our council

We value the skills of military personnel and veterans, and understand the challenges of transitioning to civilian life.  We're committed to supporting personnel and veterans in reaching their potential.

We have a guaranteed interview scheme for Armed Forces personnel and veterans. If you've served in the British Armed Forces and meet the essential criteria for a council job, we guarantee you an interview when you apply and identify yourself as a having served in the Armed Forces.

While this program doesn't guarantee a job, it provides an opportunity for personnel and veterans to showcase their abilities. Our commitment to the Armed Forces has earned us a Ministry of Defence employer recognition scheme gold award.

Find jobs and information about careers at Westmorland and Furness Council.

Support in moving into civilian life

MOD Career Transition Partnership (CTP)

The CTP is an organisation, recognised by the MOD, that provides support and advice to leavers of the armed forces who are moving into civilian life. 

Op PROSPER

Op PROSPER is a government-backed employment scheme for veterans and their families, designed to ensure equal access to employment opportunities for ex-service personnel across the UK.

X-Forces Enterprise 

X-Forces Enterprise provides business support within the armed forces community. They help aspiring and current business owners to thrive in self-employment. Their services include:

  • training and events
  • business finance
  • a community and network
  • resources 

Forces Employment Charity

Forces Employment Charity offer the armed forces community lifelong employment advice and practical tools to help veterans use their military skills to stand out from the crowd. The service also support veterans in the justice system. 

Financial support and assistance

Royal British Legion cost of living grant

This cost of living grant is designed to assist people who need help in a quick and easy way with everyday essentials such as kitchen appliances, clothes, and energy costs.

You can find out, if you can get their support if you are struggling to pay for items and services you need and apply on their website: Royal British Legion cost of Living Grant.

Discounts for veterans

You can find out about discount schemes available to veterans of UK armed forces.

Opportunities for funding

Armed Force Covenant Fund Trust

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust awards grants that support the Armed Forces community.

They are both a charity and a Non-Departmental Public Body, or NDPB. They deliver high impact programmes, including administration of the £10 million Armed Forces Covenant Fund, each year.

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund has four broad funding 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

Apply for or replace a medal or Veterans Badge

You can apply for or replace, a medal or veterans badge.

HM Armed Forces Veteran Card

An HM Armed Forces Veteran Card is a way to prove that you served in the UK armed forces. The card can make it quicker and easier to apply for support as a veteran.

Apply for an HM Forces Veteran Card

Armed forces personnel support - News

You can read our news stories on what we're doing to support armed forces personnel in our area.