The Armed Forces Community Covenant commits local civilian and military communities to working together more closely to support current and former armed forces personnel and their families.
Waverley proudly signed the Community Covenant on 31 October 2012 and recommitted to the Armed Forces Covenant on 21 February 2023.
We are committed to the:
- welfare needs of the Armed Forces and their families and the recuperation of sick and injured personnel
- considering the future needs of the Armed Forces community as part of the wider community in future service and infrastructure planning
- acknowledging the valued role Reservists play within our community
- providing and publicising effective customer services to all communities within Waverley inclusive of the Armed Forces Community and
- the commemoration of Remembrance Day and support for Armed Forces Day.
For more information, visit the national website for the Armed Forces Covenant.
We recognise the challenges that armed forces personnel may face in identifying and accessing public services and we aim to make sure that as a service provider we are better placed to understand and meet those challenges.
Our Armed Forces Champions are Councillor Paul Follows, Leader of the Council and Councillor Penny Rivers, Mayor of Waverley.
The Armed Forces Network has drawn up a list of telephone services and helplines to support the armed forces community.
Information and advice
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.
Surrey Pathways
The Surrey Pathways 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 with 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
Housing advice
Advice on housing and homelessness can be obtained from the Waverley Housing Team.
Forces Families Jobs training and employment help
Forces Families Jobs is a website giving information on employment and training opportunities for spouses, partners and family members of serving and reserve UK military personnel.
If you are an employer, this site gives you the chance to promote your organisation and showcase your commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. You can advertise your jobs free of charge and access a large, highly-skilled candidate database of Armed Forces family members looking for work or training.
For more information, visit the Forces Families Jobs website
Forces Families Jobs involves a three-way partnership of the Naval Families Federation (NFF), Army Families Federation (AFF) and Royal Air Force Families Federation (RAF-FF).
Surrey County Council
Surrey County Council has a webpage dedicated to information and support for the Armed Forces Community.
It includes details of borough and district council services; welfare and advice; crisis support; employment, education and training; family support; care and benefits; health and wellbeing; housing and homelessness.
Veterans' Hubs
Veterans' Hubs are a relaxed place for ex-servicemen and women to drop in and share a cup of tea. With a minimum of two services or charities available at least once a month, they also provide a way to gain advice, support and services under one roof.
Details of Veterans' Hubs across the county are included in the Surrey Armed Forces Calendar.
Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Clubs
The network of Breakfast Clubs exist to provide veterans and those serving a place to meet for free, face to face in a safe, social environment.
To find your nearest Breakfast Club visit the Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs website
Men's Shed
Men's sheds are a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending. They're about social connections and building friendships, laughter, sharing skills and knowledge, and of course a lot of laughter.
To find your nearest Men's Shed, visit the UK Men's Sheds Association website
SSAFA
SSAFA provides lifelong support to regulars and reserves in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force and their families, including anyone who has completed National Service, no matter how long they have served.
Royal British Legion
Royal British Legion are dedicated to supporting not only serving and ex-serving personnel but the whole of the Armed Forces community, including their families - from support dealing with the loss of a loved one and short-term breaks to help finding jobs and training.
Armed Forces Covenant Fund
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund was established to support the Armed Forces community and has four broad themes:
- removing barriers to family life
- extra support after service for those that need help
- measures to integrate military and civilian communities and allow the Armed Forces community to participate as citizens
- non-core healthcare services for veterans.
For information about the various funding programmes, their deadlines and to read the guidance and criteria visit the Armed Forces Covenant Fund website