Armed Forces Community Covenant
Our Armed Forces Community Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between the district council and its local armed forces community.
It is intended to complement the Armed Forces Covenant, which outlines the moral obligations between the nation, the government and the armed forces at local level.
The document was signed in January 2016 by the chairman of Arun District Council and Lt Col Giles Malec RA representing the armed forces.
The Community Covenant aims to:
- encourage local communities and the armed forces community to support each other
- nurture public understanding and promote awareness of issues affecting the armed forces community
- recognise and remember the sacrifices made by the armed forces community
- encourage activities which help to integrate the armed forces community into local life
You can view the covenant here: Arun Community Covenant [pdf] 2MB
We are also part of the Armed Forces Community Covenant for West Sussex.
Contact details
The Covenant Champion for Arun district is Councillor Mark Turner who can be contacted via email: cllr.mark.turner@arun.gov.uk
Cathryn French is our Armed Forces Champion and can be contacted via email: safeguarding@arun.gov.uk
You can find further contact information for Councillor Turner and Cathryn here.
Local and national support for the armed forces community
Local support
Arun District Council
We have armed forces champions within key departments who link in with local support groups.
For homelessness enquiries visit the Civic Centre, Littlehampton or Bognor Regis Town Hall to be connected to a member of the housing options team.
Phone 01903 737500
If you have an armed forces enquiry please email safeguarding@arun.gov.uk. Our armed forces champion can then help you to access the correct department.
Blind Veterans UK
Helping ex-service personnel to rebuild lives after sight loss.
The south coast centre is based in Rustington and provides wellbeing support and rehabilitation to blind veterans.
Phone 0800 389 7979 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
(excluding bank holidays)
https://www.blindveterans.org.uk/
Change Grow Live (CGL)
Drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Phone 0330 128 1113
https://www.changegrowlive.org/
Crimsham Veterans Hub
For veterans, by veterans. Support includes financial/budgeting,
mental health/counselling, education, training, employment, and a
veterans breakfast club.
Phone 07842 000 476 available 24/7
Email forces@crimsham-farm.co.uk
Littlehampton and Bognor Regis Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club
Support includes help with transport getting to the breakfast club or appointments, social activities, loneliness and wellbeing, foodbank voucher assistance.
Phone 07728 760 246
For Littlehampton email info@littlehamptonafvbc.org.uk
For Bognor Regis email info@bognorregisafvbc.org.uk
Chavasse Clinic
GP referral to a specialist musculoskeletal clinic for service personnel and veterans in Brighton.
Phone 0300 303 8360
National support
Forces Employment
Provide life-long, life changing support, jobs and training opportunities to veterans, irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.
Phone 0121 262 3058
Email info@forcesemployment.org.uk
https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/
Op Community
A dedicated email and phone number for the armed forces community (including family members and carers of those serving or who have served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces)
Phone 01273 403 693 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Email afn.admin@nhs.net
Op Courage
The veterans mental health and wellbeing service. The first call for help takes courage.
Phone 0300 365 200 (option 4)
Email gateway@berkshire.nhs.uk
https://www.opcouragesoutheast.nhs.uk/
If you experience a mental health crisis you can get help by phoning 111, booking an emergency GP appointment, visiting A&E or calling 999.
If you are still serving you can phone the military mental health helpline on 0800 323 4444
Op Fortitude
Funded by the armed forces covenant to deliver a centralised referral pathway to end veteran homelessness. Working with individual veterans at risk or experiencing homelessness, supporting into suitable accommodation or supporting them to maintain their current home.
Phone 0800 952 0774
https://www.riverside.org.uk/care-and-support/veterans/opfortitude/
Op Nova
A support for veterans who have come into contact with the justice system, providing personalised practical and emotional support.
Phone 0800 917 729
https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/programmes/op-nova/
Op Restore
Veterans physical health and wellbeing service.
GP referral to central hub on imperial.oprestore@nhs.net
Royal British Legion
Providing support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families. From advice and guidance, to recovery and rehabilitation, through to transitioning to civilian life
Phone 0808 802 8080
https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/who-we-help
SSAFA – the armed forces charity
Support includes financial assistance, welfare and housing advice, and mentoring.
Phone 0800 260 6767
Online contact form https://www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/forcesline
Live chat also available
Walking with the Wounded (WWTW)
Support with employment, mental health care and volunteering
https://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/
Online contact form https://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/ask-for-help/
Local events
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.
https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day takes place on the second Sunday of November each year and there are a number of services and ceremonies across the Arun district.