Veterans News and Communications Hub
The Hub enables forces-friendly organisations across all sectors to showcase the continued value of the UK’s highly skilled veteran community.
This collaborative project is delivered by Defence Relationship Management and Cobseo (The Confederation of Service Charities). The Hub enables forces-friendly organisations across all sectors to showcase the continued value of the UK’s highly-skilled veteran community.
Latest news
Funds awarded for informative Bereavement Hub
Veterans' Foundation Logo. Copyright: Veterans' Foundation.
The Veterans’ Foundation has awarded a grant of £30,000 to new not-for-profit CIC Beyond the Wire to develop its ‘Bereavement Hub’, designed to help families navigate the complexities of life after loss.
Beyond the Wire was launched in mid-2024 by Jilly Carrell following the death of her husband, Nick, a serving Colonel in the British Army. The hub is designed to offer bereaved families straightforward guidance on support for their children, finance and benefits in one place.
New funding to support bereaved military families
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has announced a new funding opportunity for charities supporting bereaved military families.
The Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme will seek to build a strong, collaborative network to meet the needs of those who have given most.
This programme will offer a single portfolio grant of up to £1.8 million to achieve long-term, transformational change in the non-statutory support provided to bereaved military families.
Gen Dit Network’s exhibitor event
Gen Dit is a military support network started in 2022, with more than 16,000 LinkedIn members. The group offers professional advice and networking opportunities for service personnel, leavers and veterans.
Gen Dit military networking event poster. Copyright: Gen Dit Network.
Registration for their networking event is open until 29 March. The event in Ashton Gate, Bristol, is open to businesses, serving personnel and veterans.
Armed Forces T-Shirt Day
Armed Forces T-Shirt logo. Copyright: Forces Employment Charity .
The Forces Employment Charity has been named the official charity partner for Armed Forces T-Shirt Day and the AT E@SE Festival 2025, two events dedicated to honouring the UK’s armed forces community. With a shared mission of supporting service personnel, and veterans, these events will raise essential funds and awareness for veteran employment programs.
What is a veteran?
Veterans are defined as anyone who has served for at least one day in His Majesty’s Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations. There are currently 2.4 million veterans in Great Britain.
There are 2.4 million veterans in Great Britain. 40% of veterans are 16-64 years old. The percentage of working age veterans is set to increase to 44% by 2028. 60% of veterans are over 65. 75% of veterans own their home or have a mortgage. It is estimated that 3% to 6% of those sleeping rough have served in the Armed Forces. 75% are healthy, 17% have fair health and 8% have bad health. Want to learn more? Tune in to our ‘being forces friendly’ podcast’.
Listen to our team of veterans talk about their experiences: transitioning from the UK Armed Forces and what the word ‘veteran’ means to them.
You can find and listen to all of our Being Forces Friendly podcast episodes on Anchor.
Share your story: what does the word “veteran” mean to you? Use the hashtag #ProudToBeAVeteran on the platforms below:
Veterans’ employment
An employers’ guide to hiring veterans
An employers' guide to hiring veterans graphic (Office for Veterans' Affairs).
The employers’ guide to hiring veterans (published by the OVA) was launched by the Rt Hon Johnny Mercer, former Minister For Veteran Affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses HQ in London.
The guide provides support to organisations that seek guidance and best practices for the employment, retention, and career development of veterans. Case studies from existing organisations are included, providing tips and lived experiences.
Read the employers’ guide to hiring veterans.
The Reed Group
Reed logo.
The Reed Group has created an internal Armed Forces Veterans and Reservists Group (AFVR) community.
The AFVR Group’s benefits include:
- offering employees a support group of people with similar experiences
- recreating a sense of camaraderie that they may be missing from their time in the forces
- offering an optional buddy system for mentoring new staff, especially when this is a member’s first civilian job
- sharing Armed Forces events, news and experiences
Joanna Chapman, Reed Group business development manager, has said:
This shows our commitment to supporting Armed Forces personnel and ensuring they are not disadvantaged by their Service. We work continuously to create new and improve existing policies and initiatives that support those who have served and those who continue to serve, including guidance documents for our recruiting staff and job application support for those applying to work for Reed.
Their working group will also hold group-wide talks to raise awareness for employing the Armed Forces Community, the benefits they bring to employers, and how they can be supported. Reed opens group talks to external stakeholders to host and bring their expertise, and they welcome anyone who would be interested in attending. If you would like to participate, email the Reed Armed Forces Community at ArmedForces.Community@reed.com.
The Forces Employment Charity
Forces Employment Charity logo.
The Forces Employment Charity stands by ex-Forces personnel through a range of programmes and practical support. Supporting anyone who has served at least one day in His Majesty’s Regular Armed Forces, or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations. Support is delivered by experienced advisors, many of whom also served. The Forces Employment Charity advisors are committed to helping veterans succeed through their working lives.
The Forces Employment Charity programmes provide a range of practical tools and advice to help veterans use their military skills to stand out from the crowd.
The support provided includes:
- advice on career choices
- researching the job market
- job matching
- advice on training
- recommendations for courses and education
- support with writing a CV
- advice on interview techniques
- expert industry knowledge and updates
- events and employment fairs
For more information visit The Forces Employment Charity.
Forces-friendly employers
More than 12,000 organisations have committed to improving the lives of Service people and their families.
Since 2011, the Armed Forces Covenant has been a promise that, as a society, we will acknowledge that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families should be treated with fairness and respect.
Read more about Forces-friendly employers
Hiring a veteran is good for business
New figures were released by the Forces Employment Charity on Armed Forces Day 2024, revealing that the number of employers actively looking to hire veterans has risen by over 20% in the last 5 years. This is an increase from 2,981 in 2018, to 3,603 in 2023.
Read the full story on the Forces Employment Charity website
Veterans and small businesses
Veterans: A Force for Business
X-Forces Enterprise (XFE) and the Federation of Small Business (FSB) have collaborated extensively over the last few years, beginning with an insightful report into the business landscape for Service leavers: A Force For Business.
The report highlights the contribution of the UK’s veteran population to the small business sector, with 6% of small business owned by veterans in Great Britain. However the report shows that there is scope for this to be increased, greater numbers of veterans starting, growing or working in Great Britain’s millions of small businesses would see benefits for individuals, businesses and communities.
(Copyright X-Forces 2021)
Veterans’ support
Support for veterans and their families - OVA directory
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) and Ministry of Defence (MOD) have launched Support for veterans and their families, replacing the Veterans Gateway.
The services include support with physical and mental health, finance, employment, housing and social care.
Armed Forces & Veterans’ Breakfast Clubs
Armed Forces & Veterans’ Breakfast Clubs logo.
The Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs (AFVBC) is now the single largest veterans organisation in the UK, and membership growing weekly.
With over 400 clubs nationally and 15 overseas, the AFVBC seeks to end social isolation for veterans. The clubs bring people with a connection to the UK Armed Forces together and offers a chance to reminisce, share stories and interact with a community that is missed by most when leaving the Armed Forces.
The AFVBC is also conducting five pilot programmes in HM prisons across the UK, building a Armed Forces community within HM prisons. These pilot programmes help with social interaction, rehabilitation and a support structure for veterans who are currently within the criminal justice system.
Royal British Legion
Royal British Legion logo.
As the country’s largest Armed Forces charity, the Royal British Legion offers a large range of support to the community. They offer support after just one day of Service and continually through life, long after Service is over.
The Royal British Legion’s online Knowledge Base can help you find out what support the charity offers and what you could be eligible for as someone who has served.
Find out more about how the Royal British Legion could help you.
Forces Pension Society
Forces Pension Society logo.
The Forces Pension Society is an independent, not-for-profit membership funded organisation. They act as a pension watchdog for the whole armed forces community and raise awareness about the complexities and benefits of their Armed Forces Pension. The Society empowers its members to make better, well-informed choices about their Armed Forces Pension, and provide members of the Armed Forces Pension Schemes and their partners with personalised pension guidance.
They also work in collaboration with government to ensure the appropriate delivery of your pension, and run a series of roadshows and other educational sessions to better prepare the Armed Forces community on all pension matters.
More information about the Forces Pension Society
2025 Unclaimed Pensions campaign
Blind Veterans UK
Blind Veterans UK logo. Copyright: Blind Veterans UK
Blind Veterans UK is the national charity for ex-service men and women with severe sight loss.
The charity helps blind veterans to learn vital life skills and gives them the rehabilitation, training and support they need to live independent lives.
Veterans and the devolved nations
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner (NIVCO) crest.
The Veterans Commissioner provides an independent voice on behalf of veterans and their families living in Northern Ireland on a range of issues, including health, housing, welfare and social interaction.
More information about Northern Ireland’s Veterans Commissioner
Veterans Roadshows return in 2025
The Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner’s Office (NIVCO) announced the return of its Veterans Roadshows for 2025. These events are designed to strengthen connections within the veteran community and provide direct access to vital services.
Scotland
The Scottish Veterans Commissioner works to improve outcomes and opportunities for veterans and their families in Scotland. This involves influencing policymakers to address any changes required in devolved public services.
More information on the Scottish Veterans Commissioner
The Scottish Government and its Veterans Unit support the veterans and their families in Scotland. They can inform you and your next of kin about topics including housing, education, or employment.
Follow the Veterans Unit on X.
Veterans Assist Scotland
Veterans Assist Scotland is a platform created for veterans and Armed Forces families living in Scotland. The website holds resources resources they might need including help finding the right school or college; options for places to live; getting access to a War Disablement pension; and routes into employment.
Scottish Veterans Awards
The deadline to apply for the Scottish Veterans Awards 2025 is 23 February. Applications are encouraged from, and on behalf of veterans that deserve to be awarded since their transition into civilian life. Businesses and charities that support veterans are also eligible.
Wales
Welsh Government, public sector bodies, the tri-Services, employers and the charitable sector work in partnership to provide information and support for Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families in Wales.
Specific information and guidance is available in the following areas:
• housing
• general support for serving Armed Forces personnel and their families
Grants and funding
Funding and grants are available for organisations wishing to support the Armed Forces; however, they will not be available for individual support. If you require specific and individual assistance, please get in touch, and we will advise you on the best course of action.
Armed Covenant Fund Trust
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) logo.
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) funds projects that support the delivery of the nation’s covenant promise to our serving personnel, veterans and their families.
The Trust is a charity and is classified as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB). It administers the Armed Forces Covenant Fund, worth £10 million each year.
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund has 4 aims:
1. providing non-core healthcare services for veterans
2. removing barriers to family life
3. supporting serving personnel and veterans who need help
4. integrating military and civilian communities and allowing the armed forces community to participate as citizens
In 2024 the Trust launched its first Covenant Fund funding model based on evidence gathered from a wide-ranging consultation.
Find out more about the funding model
Available funding opportunities
Organisations that have been awarded grant funding
Information about the impact of the Trust’s work
Veterans’s Foundation
Veterans' Foundation Logo. Copyright: Veterans' Foundation.
The Veterans’ Foundation was set up in 2016 to raise funds to help improve the lives of all within the armed forces community who need it. The funds raised are then donated to charities and organisations that have a real impact on those currently serving, veterans, and their families. These organisations support a range of needs, including mental health, physical therapy and rehabilitation, homelessness and education and training and more.
Charities and charitable organisations find it increasingly difficult to raise the funds they need to continue their vital and often life-changing work and rely on The Veterans’ Foundation for grants to support them. That was why retired Major General David Shaw set up The Veterans’ Foundation in 2016 and why it has grown to be one of the UK’s leading military charities.
Its main fundraising vehicle is the Veterans’ Lottery – the largest single-cause lottery in the UK – that has raised millions of pounds and enabled more than £25 million to be donated to good causes that support the armed forces community.
Veteran education
High Ground
HighGround logo.
High Ground helps Service leavers, reservists and veterans assess their military skills and experience and how these apply to the land-based sector. It also offers many opportunities for employment and self-employment.
High Ground offers Rural Weeks: 5 fully residential days at an agricultural college for 8 Service leavers, reservists and veterans to learn more about the land-based sector from subject matters experts.
Families and children
Education support is available for veterans and serving families through the following programmes:
- Armed Forces Education Trust - for children and young adults whose education has been compromised as a result of a parents’ past or current Service.
- Reading Force - uses reading to bring forces children and families closer together.
- Forces Children Scotland - provides general support for children and young people from Armed Forces families in Scotland.
- Scotty’s Little Soldiers - Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a charity dedicated to supporting children and young people from 0 to 25 years who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces. When a young person joins Scotty’s, they become a member and are supported until their 25th birthday. Whether it be one-to-one bereavement support, a respite break with the family, an opportunity to meet others in a similar situation, or access to extracurricular activities, Scotty’s is always there for its members to ensure they don’t feel alone.
Scotty's Little Soldier logo.
Service Charity Sector: Insight and Engagement
The Confederation of Service Charities logo.
Cobseo (The Confederation of Service Charities), through its membership of Service charities represents the whole serving and Veterans Community. Visit the Cobseo website where you will find the most up to date news, funding opportunities, help and transition guidance for Veterans and their families.
Veterans Awards
Companies and organisations across the UK are celebrated for their support to the Armed Forces community.
The Veterans Awards
The Veterans Awards are open to all Armed Forces veterans, serving reservists and organisations and companies that support or employ people from the Armed Forces community.
Applications are open:
- Scottish Veterans Awards: 1 December 2024 - 23 February 2025
- Welsh Veterans Awards: 1 March - 24 May 2025
- English Veterans Awards - 1 June - 17 August 2025
Soldiering On Awards
The Soldiering On Awards recognise outstanding achievement in the Armed Forces community.
Soldiering On Awards opens for nominations
The Soldiering On Awards have opened nominations for 2025, marking 15 years of celebrating the remarkable achievements of the armed forces community.
Since its inception the Soldiering On Awards has showcased the resilience, innovation, and commitment of those who serve or support our armed forces community.
Nominations are now open in twelve categories, offering opportunities to celebrate those who inspire, innovate, and make a lasting difference. From Family Values and Animal Partnership to Defence Inclusivity, Inspiration, and Business, there is a category for every story of extraordinary achievement.
Key Dates for 2025:
• Nominations open: 9am, 13 January 2025
• Nominations close: 11:59pm, 30 March 2025
Visit the Soldiering On Awards website to submit your nominations.
Heropreneurs Awards
The Heropreneurs Awards celebrate the achievements of the military community in a commercial environment.
Contact us
Enquiries
If you have a question about support and services available to veterans, please contact us.
Newsletter
Sign up to our monthly newsletter to stay updated on veterans’ news, giving you direct information from around the veteran eco system.
To add your updates to the Veterans News and Communication Hub please contact: CO-COMMS@RFCA.MOD.UK.
Related content
- New Employer Engagement Handbook
- Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA)
- Defence Relationship Management
- Cobseo - the Confederation of Service Charities
- The Strategy for our Veterans
- Veterans Fact Sheet 2020
- An employers’ guide to hiring Veterans
- Supporting veterans’ transition to civilian life through employment
- Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club
- Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner
- Scottish Veterans Commissioner
- Wales - Armed Forces and Veterans
Updates to this page
Published 11 June 2020Last updated 13 February 2025 + show all updates
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