Help for the Armed Forces Community

Advice, support and help for armed forces personnel, veterans and their families

Delivering the Armed Forces Covenant in Walsall

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise that acknowledges those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives.

Find out how the covenant supports the armed forces community.

As a local authority, we have pledged our support to the armed forces community. We re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant in November 2023. We work with our partners and local organisations to support current and former service personnel and their families in the local area.

Pledge your support

Local organisations and businesses can support the armed forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

Find out how your organisation or business can sign the Armed Forces Covenant.

Support for members of the Armed Forces Community

Help and advice is available locally, regionally and nationally. We've put together some information on where and how you can find support in Walsall borough and beyond.

Armed forces veteran card

An HM Armed Forces Veteran Card is a way to prove that you served in the UK armed forces. Its free to apply for and you can apply if you were in the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force or Royal Marines.

Find out more, and apply for an HM armed forces veteran card.

Education

We can help you find schools for your children in the Walsall Borough. Find out more about school admissions.

Service Pupil Premium funding (SPP) is available to schools to help them support children from service families. Children in reception to year 11 may be eligible for SPP.

Find out out if your child is eligible for Service Pupil Premium and what you need to do to ensure their school receives the funding for them.

Walsall's SEND Local Offer has lots of information, advice and support for families and children with special education needs or disabilities.

Education for 14-19 year olds in Walsall and surrounding area.

Healthcare

Healthcare for the armed forces community from the NHS has information about a variety of health services available. It includes:

Register with an NHS GP surgery
Register with an NHS dentist
Veteran friendly GP surgeries and trusts
Guides for service leavers
Information and support for families

The NHS Op COURAGE service provides mental health support to serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families.

Op RESTORE is the Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service which works alongside Op COURAGE. The NHS service provides specialist care and treatment to veterans who have physical health problems as a result of their time in the armed forces.

Op COMMUNITY is a telephone helpline for all members of the armed forces community. It offers support and guidance around navigating NHS services.

Combat Stress mental health helpline, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Members of the UK Armed Forces serving personnel or veteran (dependants not included) are eligible for 15% corporate membership discount to use at any of our leisure centres across the Walsall Borough.

Find out how to apply for your leisure centre discount.

Housing support

We can provide support to help you find a home in the Borough.

Op FORTITUDE is a service which helps veterans at risk of, or experiencing homelessness into supported housing, or to keep them in their current home.

Other organisations who can offer support and advice about housing:

Jobs, careers and training

Walsall Works is an award-winning initiative funded by Walsall Council. We support local people to find jobs, apprenticeships and access training.

Op PROSPER is a forces employment service for veterans and their families. Specialist-trained employment advisors can introduce you to new career opportunities across different sectors.

Find a job in:

Find out more about roles with:

Organisations who can help

Careers Transition Pathway Ex armed forces recruitment
Forces Employment Charity
Poppy Factory Employment support for ex armed forces job seekers
Forces families jobs
Pertemps specialist support for ex armed forces job seekers

Veteran pathways

Valour - VALOUR is a new programme giving veterans across the UK easier access to the essential care and support that is available to them
Op Fortitude - Pathway for veterans at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness into supported housing or to keep them in their current home
Op Courage - provides mental health support to serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families
Op Restore - is the Veterans Physical Health and Wellbeing Service which works alongside Op COURAGE. The NHS service provides specialist care and treatment to veterans who have physical health problems as a result of their time in the armed forces
Op Community - is a telephone helpline for all members of the armed forces community. It offers support and guidance around navigating NHS services
Op Prosper - is a forces employment service for veterans and their families. Specialist-trained employment advisors can introduce you to new career opportunities across different sectors
Op Ascend - provides clear, accessible career pathways for veterans, ensuring they are empowered to succeed from the moment they join the Armed Forces, throughout their service, and beyond
Op NOVA - Support for veterans who are arrested or at risk of arrest; enabling them to access the services they need. Specialist programme developed to support veterans in the criminal justice system who may be vulnerable, socially isolated, or need support to live or maintain a law-abiding life
Op Sterling - provides telephone-based support, advice and casework to older LGBT+ veterans through Age UK’s Advice Line.

Welfare and finance

We've put together some information on where any of our residents can find help with benefits and the cost of living. You can find out more in our dedicated help with the cost of living resources.

Organisations who can help

Discounts

Local community support

Walsall Community Network - You can find local events and groups advertised here, from armed forces breakfast clubs to social groups and community events.

Tough Enough to Care - a charity providing support in the West Midlands

Stepway - a charity providing support in the West Midlands

Short Heath Lest We Forget - a community interest company providing support in and around Short Heath, Walsall

Op STERLING provides telephone-based support, advice and casework to older LGBT+ veterans through Age UK’s Advice Line.

More organisations who can help

Help for Heroes For wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans, and their families.
Royal British Legion provides advice and support on wellbeing on their website and through their community branches.
SSAFA lifelong emotional and practical support. Support offered online and by telephone.