Sandwell Council is working with the armed forces to help and support current and former service personnel and their families in the local area.
We are also encouraging Sandwell businesses, community groups and individuals to work with us to pledge their support to armed forces personnel and their families as well as reservists and veterans.
Our Armed Forces Covenant 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.
We provide a range of advice and support on things such as housing, leisure discounts, schools and learning, jobs, training and volunteering, welfare and financial support and healthy living.
The Mayor of Sandwell chairs a partnership board which meets every three months to make sure the aims of the covenant are being followed.
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust supports the Armed Forces Covenant by delivering funding programmes that create real change to armed forces communities across the UK. The Trust is a charity and is classified as a non-departmental public body, or NDPB. The Trust looks after the Armed Forces Covenant Fund, worth £10m each year.
Government website - Armed Forces Covenant: guidance and support
Armed Forces Covenant Duty
The Covenant Duty is a statutory duty on specific bodies in the areas of healthcare, housing and education to pay due regard to the principle of the Armed Forces Covenant.
The bodies subject to the duty are expected to consciously consider the Covenant when developing, delivering and reviewing policies and decisions which may impact the armed forces community and help improve their access to public services.
More information on the Government website about the Armed Forces Covenant Duty.