Support for the Veterans and Armed Forces Community 2023

Progress against Veterans Strategy Commitments

Cross-Cutting Factors and Themes

Vision

This Strategy has a 10-year scope. Through the 10-year timescale, the Strategy addresses the immediate needs of older veterans as well as setting the right conditions for society to empower – and support – the newer generation. Initiatives and proposals will work towards an enduring Vision articulated by three key principles.

Those who have served in the UK Armed Forces, and their families, transition smoothly back into civilian life and contribute fully to a society that understands and values what they have done and what they have to offer.

Principles

The Principles articulate in greater detail the strategic objectives of the Vision.

• Veterans are first and foremost civilians and continue to be of benefit to wider society
• Veterans are encouraged and enabled to maximise their potential as civilians
• Veterans are able to access support that meets their needs when necessary, through public and voluntary sectors

These Principles encompass Regular and Reservist veterans and, where appropriate, their families and the bereaved. The focus is on those veterans of the UK Armed Forces resident in the UK. In due course, we will consider encompassing veterans who return to or choose to live overseas. These Principles are consistent with, and underpinned by, the Armed Forces Covenant.

Cross-cutting factors

That affect service provision for veterans across all Key Themes

• Collaboration
• Co-ordination
• Data
• Perception
• Recognition

Key themes

That emerged as affecting veterans’ lives

• Community and relationships
• Employment, education and skills
• Finance and debt
• Health and wellbeing
• Making a home in civilian society
• Veterans and the law

Summary of 10 Year Outcomes

Cross-Cutting Factors

Collaboration between organisations

Improved collaboration between organisations offers veterans coherent support.

Coordination of veterans’ services

The coordination of veterans’ provision delivers consistent aims and principles over time and throughout the UK, ensuring veterans, their families and the bereaved are treated fairly compared to the local population.

Data on the veteran community

Enhanced collection, use and analysis of data across the public, private and charitable sectors to build an evidence base to effectively identify and address the needs of veterans.

Public perception and understanding

The UK population value veterans and understand their diverse experiences and culture.

Recognition of veterans

Veterans feel that their service and experience is recognised and valued by society.

Key Themes

Community and relationships

Veterans are able to build healthy relationships and integrate into their communities.

Employment, education and skills

Veterans enter appropriate employment and can continue to enhance their careers throughout their working lives.

Finance and debt

Veterans leave the Armed Forces with sufficient financial education, awareness and skills to be financially self-supporting and resilient.

Health and wellbeing

All veterans enjoy a state of positive physical and mental health and wellbeing, enabling them to contribute to wider aspects of society.

Making a home in civilian society

Veterans have a secure place to live either through buying, renting or social housing.

Veterans and the law

Veterans leave the Armed Forces with the resilience and awareness to remain law-abiding civilians.