Armed Forces Covenant

Find out about our commitment to the armed forces and support that is available locally.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a national promise to those who serve, or who have served, in the armed forces and their families, that we will do all we can to make sure they are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives.

Our covenant with the Aldershot Garrison

Aldershot is the home of the British Army. We are proud to have agreed our own covenant, as we have a long history of supporting the armed forces community who live and work in our towns, and their families.

We first signed our Armed Forces Covenant with the Aldershot Garrison in October 2012 as an agreement to work together to honour the national covenant, and we re-signed the covenant in March 2019. It is backed by a number of our partners who are equally very supportive of the military.

Defence Employer Recognition Scheme - Supporting Defence, Reserves and Cadets

We have a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme silver award that recognises the council as a forces-friendly employer who supports defence and the armed forces community, Reserves and Cadets. This was revalidated in 2024 and we encourage other employers to sign up to the scheme and support defence:

Please visit the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme website and Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association for the South East website for more information.

Armed forces covenant logo

Reserves

Information about the benefits of serving part-time in the Reserves, for both prospective Reserves and for employers is included in the links below:

Cadet organisations

Information about cadet organisations for young people and volunteering as an adult to support cadets can be found on the links below:

Support available locally

Being a member of the military community and returning to civilian life or moving into a new area can be challenging. Below are links and information to a range of organisations and charities that provide support.

Hubs for Information

Rushmoor Link is a community directory which provides information about very local information about activities, groups and community services.

The Forces Connect App links the armed forces community to local and national organisations offering help and support across a wide range of services .

From crisis support to searching for a dentist, starting a business to advice on housing - just a few simple clicks will provide you with details for relevant organisations. If you or a family member is serving, has served, or if you support members of the Armed Forces community, the free Forces Connect app is designed for you.

You can also download the mobile app by searching Forces Connect in the Apple app or Google Play store.

Housing

Our How we allocate housing in Rushmoor page sets out that we will treat military personnel and their immediate family fairly and we will not disadvantage them because of their status.

Military personnel have a high priority for shared ownership and a number have bought properties on the Wellesley and Sun Park developments.

However, we do not give military personnel higher priority within our housing allocation scheme because of their status, unless their personal circumstances merit it. This could be, for example if they have health or welfare issues.

If you are the spouse or civil partner of a member of the armed forces and are no longer entitled to live in Ministry of Defence housing because that person has died, we will make you a high priority for housing. Your spouse or civil partner will need to have been in the regular forces and his or her death wholly or partly attributable (wholly in part) to that service

Education

Hampshire County Council is responsible for schools in Rushmoor. You can get information about all of the schools in Aldershot and Farnborough on the Hampshire County Council website.

The county council's website also has lots of useful information about school admissions.

Leisure

Aldershot and Farnborough have a wealth of parks, open spaces and leisure, entertainment and community facilities and there are some discounts available to the armed forces.

Please visit our Community, parks and leisure pages for more information.

There is also the official Ministry of Defence discount service for all members of the armed forces, offering discounts online and on the high street.

Health and wellbeing

To find out where your nearest doctor's surgery, hospital, dentist and pharmacy is, you can use our In my area link feature.

The NHS provides health information and support locally, including for everyone in the armed forces community, including serving personnel, reservists, families and veterans.

Please visit the healthcare for the armed forces' community pages on the NHS website for more information.

Hampshire County Council also has its Connect to Support Hampshire website that includes a directory of services for adults with care and support needs.

Mental health

If you have a concern about your mental health or of a family member who is a serving regular, reservist or veteran, please speak to your NHS GP.

The NHS offers support including its Op COURAGE - veterans' mental health and wellbeing service.

You can also contact one of the following organisations:

Togetherall - Provides safe, anonymous support to anyone struggling with a range of common mental health issues, or who feels burdened by everyday worries and concerns. It is free for all serving personnel, veterans, and their families
Combat Stress - The veterans' mental health charity - Offers a 24-hour free phone helpline if you have concerns about your mental health. The number to call is 0800 138 1619. The charity provides emotional support, a listening ear and signposting service
Silent Storms - Aldershot - A men's peer-support charity providing a safe, non-judgmental space for men to talk openly about their mental health, share experiences, and support one another
PTSD Resolution - confidential trauma recovery support for veterans, reservists and their families
Walking with the Wounded - supports veterans facing mental health challenges, unemployment and social isolation through personalised care and employment-focused programmes
Help for Heroes - Hidden Wounds - Provides free and confidential support to ex-service personnel, their families and the families of those still serving, who are living with anxiety, depression, stress, anger or who want to change their drinking habits

Supporting veterans Involved in the justice system

Op NOVA is commissioned by the NHS and supports veterans who are involved in the justice system. Please use the NOVA partner form for make a referral.

Registering to vote

If you are in the armed forces, or the spouse of someone who is, visit the register to vote (armed forces) page on the GOV.UK website to:

Apply to register to vote online as an ordinary voter
Apply to register to vote online as a service voter. This will give you a registration for up to five years. We have a duty to remind you to re-register before your five years comes to an end

You can find out more on our registering to vote pages.

Other support organisations

The Royal British Legion

A UK charity providing lifelong support for the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, reservists, veterans, and their families.

Please visit The Royal British Legion website for more information.

SSAFA The Armed Forces Charity

Soldiers, Sailors, Air Force Association (SSAFA) offers practical assistance, emotional support and financial guidance to those facing challenges related to housing, wellbeing, family life and transition.

The Gurkha Welfare Trust

The Gurkha Welfare Trust provides financial, medical and community support to Gurkha veterans.

Forces Employment Charity

Employment advice, training and personalised career guidance to service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families

SEETEC - Connect to Work

Hampshire's Connect to Work programme, a tailored support initiative designed to help individuals transitioning from military service move successfully into civilian employment.

Forces in Mind Trust

Aims to support ex-service personnel and their families to lead successful civilian lives.

Please visit the Forces in Mind Trust website for more information.

The Ripple Pond

A self-help support network for the adult family members of physically, or emotionally-injured service personnel, and veterans.

Please visit The Ripple Pond website for more information.