Veterans News and Communications Hub
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-08)

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

Veterans support centres to be rolled out across the country as transformational strategy launched

The government is launching its new Veterans Strategy to transform government support for our heroes and recognise their invaluable contribution across the country. Over 1.8 million veterans across the UK will benefit from a new network of local support centres, as the MOD launches a transformational Veterans Strategy to renew the nation’s contract with those who serve and have served.

Read the full story (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/veterans-support-centres-to-be-rolled-out-across-the-country-as-transformational-strategy-launched)

VALOUR: information and next steps

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

Led by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) within the Ministry of Defence, it aims to improve how services are coordinated at national, regional and local levels, ensuring veterans get the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

Read about Op Valour (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/valour-information-and-next-steps)

Paying It Forward: A Veteran’s Story

Free Exhibition Celebrates UK Veterans Through Powerful Portraits

“We may never truly know the reach of an act of kindness or the mark that it leaves on a life.” This sentiment drives an extraordinary photography exhibition honouring UK veterans, created by ex-Royal Air Force photographer Paul Saxby in collaboration with Nottinghamshire County Council and Newark-based car broker Motorfinity.

Interviews are available here (https://www.youtube.com/@PaulSaxbyPhotography)

To learn more about Motorfinity’s support for veterans, visit Motorfinity UK (http://www.motorfinity.uk/about-motorfinity)

Female Veterans Transformation Programme: National Toolkit Launch

The Female Veterans Transformation Programme (FVTP) launched their toolkit on the 19th of November.

The toolkit is designed to support and empower service providers in the commercial, statutory and charitable sectors transform service provision for the circa 272,000 female veterans living within the UK. This UK-wide programme is funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT) (https://covenantfund.org.uk/), NHS England (https://www.england.nhs.uk/) and the Veterans Foundation (https://www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/), in partnership with the Cobseo (https://www.cobseo.org.uk/) Female Veterans Cluster and the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association (https://wraca.org.uk/). In addition, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-veterans-affairs) provided funding to develop communications products to raise awareness of women as veterans, as well as their needs and experiences, which are also available as part of the toolkit.

The toolkit will be hosted on the AFCFT website (https://covenantfund.org.uk/female-veterans-toolkit/) and feely available

For more details about the FVTP (https://www.fvtp.org.uk/)

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 (https://soundcloud.com/beingforcesfriendly/episode-3-what-is-a-veteran): 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 (https://anchor.fm/beingforcesfriendly).

Share your story: what does the word “veteran” mean to you? Use the hashtag #ProudToBeAVeteran on the platforms below:
- LinkedIn (https://uk.linkedin.com/company/defence-relationship-management-drm)
Veterans’ employment

Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA)

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) is part of the MOD, leading on the government’s policy on veterans. The OVA work with devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, local governments, charities and businesses to provide support to veterans when they need it. They offer programs and resources to help veterans get into better employment and continue making great contributions to society after leaving the armed forces.

An employers’ guide to hiring veterans

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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/an-employers-guide-to-hiring-veterans)

OP ASCEND – careers after Service

Veterans in the UK now have access to OP ASCEND, which aims to improve the career support available to veterans, regardless of when they left Service.

Sign up to Op ASCEND (https://careersafterservice.campaign.gov.uk/)

Veterans Strategy

This strategy sets the government’s new vision for veterans. In doing so we are clear about the security and growth challenges we face – and our plans to respond to them as set out in the Strategic Defence Review (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-strategic-defence-review-2025-making-britain-safer-secure-at-home-strong-abroad). This strategy challenges the whole of society to think differently about those who have served in the armed forces, their offer and their potential.

Veterans Strategy - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterans-strategy/veterans-strategy)

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 xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

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 (https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/who-we-help/veterans/).

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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme)

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 (https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/news/hiring-a-veteran-is-good-for-business/)

Veterans and small businesses

Veterans: A Force for Business

X-Forces (https://www.x-forces.com/) Enterprise (XFE) and the Federation of Small Business (FSB) (https://www.fsb.org.uk/) have collaborated extensively over the last few years, beginning with an insightful report into the business landscape for Service leavers: A Force For Business (https://www.x-forces.com/a-force-for-business-service-leavers-and-small-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.

info graphic with stats for service leavers, it shows there are 925,000 veterans of working age in the UK in 2016, and that 6% of small businesses are owned by veterans.

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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-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.

Find your local AFVBC (https://www.afvbc.world/)

Royal British Legion (RBL)

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 the Royal British Legion (https://support.britishlegion.org.uk/app/answers/detail/a_id/2294/kw/help)

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 (https://forcespensionsociety.org/)

2025 Unclaimed Pensions campaign (https://forcespensionsociety.org/unclaimedpensions/)

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.

Find out more about Blind Veterans UK (https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/)

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 (https://www.nivco.co.uk/)

Northern Ireland veteran hubs

Veteran hubs across Northern Ireland are creating welcoming spaces where veterans and their families can connect, find support, and enjoy a real sense of community. These hubs are part of the Thrive Together programme, a UK-wide initiative funded by the Armed Forces Covenant.

Read the full story (https://www.nivco.co.uk/veteran-hubs-across-northern-ireland-building-connections-community-support/)

Contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) for more information.

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 (https://www.scottishveteranscommissioner.org/)

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 (https://www.mygov.scot/armed-forces-housing), education (https://www.mygov.scot/armed-forces-education), or employment (https://www.mygov.scot/armed-forces-employability).

Follow the Veterans Unit on X (https://x.com/i/flow/loginredirect_after_login=%2Fscotgovveterans)

Veterans Assist Scotland

Veterans Assist Scotland (https://www.veterans-assist.org/) 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.

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 (https://www.gov.wales/national-housing-pathway-veterans-armed-forces)
- employment (https://www.gov.wales/employing-armed-forces-veterans-and-reservists-guide-employers)
- general support for serving Armed Forces personnel and their families (https://www.gov.wales/support-serving-armed-forces-personnel-and-their-families-2021)
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 (https://covenantfund.org.uk/) (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 (https://covenantfund.org.uk/2024/03/11/new-covenant-funding-model-to-better-serve-armed-forces-communities/)

Available funding opportunities (https://covenantfund.org.uk/programmes/)

Organisations that have been awarded grant funding (https://covenantfund.org.uk/projects-weve-supported/)

Information about the impact of the Trust’s work (https://covenantfund.org.uk/annual-report-2023-24/)

Veterans Foundation

Veterans' Foundation Logo. Copyright: Veterans' Foundation.

The Veterans’ Foundation (https://www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/) 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 initiative is the Veterans’ Lottery (https://www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/lottery/join/) – the largest single-cause lottery in the UK – which has granted more than £30 million to charitable organisations that support the armed forces community.

Apply for a grant (https://www.veteransfoundation.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/)

Veteran education

High Ground

HighGround logo.

High Ground (https://highground-uk.org/) 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 (https://highground-uk.org/land-based-employment/rural-weeks/virtual-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 (https://armedforceseducation.org/about-us/) - for children and young adults whose education has been compromised as a result of a parents’ past or current Service.
- Reading Force (https://www.readingforce.org.uk/about/) - uses reading to bring forces children and families closer together.
- Forces Children Scotland (https://forceschildrenscotland.org.uk/) - provides general support for children and young people from Armed Forces families in Scotland.
- Scotty’s Little Soldiers (https://www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk/) - 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) (https://www.cobseo.org.uk/news/), through its membership of Service charities represents the whole serving and Veterans Community. Visit the Cobseo website (https://www.cobseo.org.uk/news/) 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 (https://veteransawards.co.uk/) are open to all Armed Forces veterans, serving reservists and organisations and companies that support or employ people from the Armed Forces community.

Soldiering On Awards

The Soldiering On Awards (https://soldieringon.org/) 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.

Heropreneurs Awards

The Heropreneurs Awards (https://www.heropreneurs.co.uk/heropreneurs-awards) celebrate the achievements of the military and veteran community in a commercial environment.

Contact us

Enquiries

If you have a question about support and services available to veterans, please contact us (https://submit.forms.service.gov.uk/form/4051/questions-and-enquiries).

Newsletter

Sign up to our monthly newsletter (https://www2.rfca.org.uk/Veterans_Newsletter_Subscribe) 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: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Related content
- New Employer Engagement Handbook (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/partnering-with-defence)
- Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-veterans-affairs)
- Defence Relationship Management (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management)
- Cobseo - the Confederation of Service Charities (https://www.cobseo.org.uk/)
- The Strategy for our Veterans (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategy-for-our-veterans)
- Veterans Fact Sheet 2020 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterans-factsheet-2020)
- An employers’ guide to hiring Veterans (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/652962ab6972600014ccf811/14.342_CO_OVA_Veterans_Employers_Guide_v3e_Final_Web.pdf)
- Supporting veterans’ transition to civilian life through employment (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/supporting-veterans-transition-to-civilian-life-through-employment)
- Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club (https://www.afvbc.world/)
- Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner (https://www.nivco.co.uk/)
- Scottish Veterans Commissioner (https://www.scottishveteranscommissioner.org/)
- Wales - Armed Forces and Veterans (https://www.gov.wales/armed-forces-and-veterans)