Supporting the Armed Forces

Supporting the Armed Forces

A career in the Armed Forces can significantly affect your daily life as well as the lives of your family members. As a result, we recognise that the Armed Forces community is in need of considerable support. As part of this commitment, Three Rivers District Council has an Armed Forces Champion - Cllr Jon Tankard, and are proud to have signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant.

Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. There are many ways for people, communities, and organisations across the country to show their support and get involved.

Armed Forces Day takes place on the last Saturday each June.

Local organisations

Hertfordshire Heroes

Provides help and information for those that have served in the Armed  Forces

The Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion is an Armed Forces charity with branches all over the country that meet to provide support and care to servicemen and women and to honour the bravery of the forces.

 Information on branches in Three Rivers 

•  Rickmansworth & West Hyde Branch 
•  Abbots Langley Branch
•  Search for your closest Royal British Legion location

Cadets

For young people looking for fun and adventure with a military theme,

• Find your local Air Cadets squadron
• Find your local Army Cadets detachment
• Find your local Sea Cadets

Armed Forces discounts

• The Hertfordshire Heroes website has a list of discounts available to the Armed Forces community.
• Rewards For Forces has a selection of online and in-store discounts for members of the Armed Forces and their partners. Registration is free of charge.
• The Defence Discount Service is the official Ministry of Defence discount service. It offers a membership card that Armed Forces personnel can use online or take into selected high street shops/restaurants to get a discount.

Support services

• Combat Stress and PTSD Resolution are both charities committed to providing support to those in the Armed Forces community suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression or anxiety.
• The NHS has information on health services for ex-forces personnel and tips for getting the right care and support. Find out more about mental health support on the NHS.
• The Veterans’ Gateway service is the first point of contact for all Tri-Service veterans, and their families. Its expert content covers welfare areas: housing, employment, finances, living independently, mental wellbeing, families and communities, and physical health. Its unique support (both in the UK and abroad) is funded by the Armed Forces Covenant. And supported by charities and organisations and individuals, including the the National Health Service (NHS), the Government of the United Kingdom (GOV.UK) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
• Relate is a registered charity that provides relationship support in the UK. The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund has selected it to provide relationship support for RAF personnel, their partners and families.
• Founded in 1883, Armed Forces charity SSAFA offers practical, emotional and financial support for serving personnel, veterans and their families. Also eligible for assistance are reservists and anyone who has completed national service.  All SSAFA caseworkers are trained volunteers who visit families in their homes. If you are in need of assistance, you can contact the Dacorum Division, which is one of five SSAFA divisions in Hertfordshire. The SSAFA is also always looking for new volunteers (you do not have to have served in the Armed Forces to volunteer). Please get in touch using the contact details below:
  Telephone: 01923 606220
  Email: hertfordshire@ssafa.org.uk
• Information on support for the Armed forces Including reserve forces and armed forces pensions, benefits, and financial assistance can also be found on GOV.UK.
• Op COURAGE - The NHS mental health service for veterans, service leavers and reservists. Support is available for issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction and adjustment to civilian life. Contact your regional service via the NHS website.
• Op RESTORE - A specialist NHS service for veterans with physical health conditions or injuries linked to military service. Ask your GP to complete the Op RESTORE referral form.
• Op NOVA - Provides practical and emotional support for veterans who are in contact with the police, courts, probation services or prisons. Support can include housing, employment, healthcare and financial advice. Op NOVA may be contacted on: Freephone 0800 917 7299 or by email at opnova@forcesemployment.org.uk.
• Hertfordshire Heroes has details of more support for veterans, currently serving personnel and their families.

Veteran data

• Census 2021 data on UK veterans (3 February 2023)  -For the first time, Census 2021 captured information about UK armed forces veterans in England and Wales. Detailed information has been published about veteran characteristics in the article, Characteristics of UK armed forces veterans, England and Wales: Census 2021. The article includes data on population age, where people were born, religion, ethnic group, legal partnership status and general health.  It provides insight that can be used to deliver promises made through the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Veterans’ Data Dashboard (10 February 2023) - A new dashboard showing information about the veteran community is now publicly available. The veterans data dashboard, from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, has statistics in areas such as population, housing, mental health and employment. It will provide a snapshot to the public, veterans and service providers so they can learn about the community, as well as the services offered by the government to support veterans.

Housing support

If you have served or are currently serving in the UK's Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Air Force or in the Reserve forces , and have a housing need. Please visit our HM Forces Housing support page.

Op FORTITUDE

 Op FORTITUDE is a government-backed service for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, helping them access accommodation and housing support.

Phone: 0800 952 0774

Website: https://www.gov.uk/veteran-support-organisations/op-fortitude

Current vacancies

Three Rivers District Council support the Armed Forces Covenant and value the experience and transferable skills of serviceman. If you have previously worked in the Armed Forces, we would welcome applications from you. Please visit our job vacancies page.

Hertfordshire Heroes Monthly Newsletter

This monthly newsletter is for anyone interested in keeping up to date with news relevant to people serving in the Armed Forces, veterans and their families in Hertfordshire. Hertfordshire Heroes is the name used to promote the work of the Hertfordshire Armed Forces Covenant  Board, organisations working together to ensure the Armed Forces community is welcomed and treated fairly in Hertfordshire.

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Commemorative Events

The nation is encouraged to come together to pay tribute through a series of national and local events and activities to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day. Find out more here.