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 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
Healthcare and wellbeing
Housing and accommodation
Jobs, careers and training
Leisure and activities
Legal advice
Money matters and help with the cost of living
Schools and education
Support groups or organisations
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.
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.
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:
- SSAFA - the Armed Forces charity
- Office for Veterans' Affairs
- Office for Veterans' Affairs directory
- Royal British Legion
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
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. You will need to use your defence discount service membership to access this.
Op NOVA, delivered by the Forces Employment Charity, provides advice for legal matters and the justice system to veterans.
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
- The Army Family Federation (AFF)
- The Naval Families Federation
- The Royal Navy Community
- SSAFA - The Armed Forces charity
- Royal British Legion
- Veterans UK
- Office for Veterans' Affairs
- Office for Veterans' Affairs directory
Discounts
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.
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.
