Armed Forces Covenant

Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant ensures the armed forces community face no disadvantage in accessing public services.

We are committed to supporting the armed forces community and veterans in our district.

If you don't know where or how to access support, contact one of our Armed Forces Covenant Champion Team - E-mail Paul Drury, Lincolnshire Armed Forces Community Covenant Officer or telephone him on 01529 414155. Alternatively contact Peter Hunn or James Rae at Boston Borough Council.

We are signatories of the Lincolnshire Armed Forces Community Covenant, a voluntary pledge between local government, charities and the military which aims to:

• Nurture public understanding and awareness of issues affecting the armed forces community
• Encourage local communities to support their armed forces community and vice versa
• Promote public understanding and awareness of issues that affect the armed forces community
• Encourage activities that help integrate the armed forces community into local life

You can find more information on their website.

Welfare Advice for the Armed Forces Community

Veterans Gateway

Veterans Gateway is the first point of contact for veterans and their families seeking support. You can call them on 0808 802 1212 or visit their website.

The Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion supports serving members of the armed forces, veterans and their families. If you need help, call 0808 802 8080 or visit their website.

SSAFA - The Armed Forces Charity

SSAFA offers welfare advice and support to the Armed Forces and their families. Contact their free and confidential Forcesline on 0800 731 4880 or visit their website.

Royal Air Forces Association

The Royal Air Forces Association is the charity that supports serving RAF personnel, veterans, and their families. For help or advice, contact them free on 0800 018 2361 or at www.rafa.org.uk.

Veteran Housing Advice

Our housing policy ensures that the armed forces community face no disadvantage in looking for a home. Visit our housing pages for more information.

South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Councils re-sign the Armed Forces Covenant - May 2022

Leaders from Boston Borough Council, East Lindsey District Council and South Holland District Council - the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP) - re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant in May 2022.

By re-signing the Covenant, the Partnership Councils demonstrate their commitment to the Armed Forces Community in supporting them to have the same access to government and commercial services as any other citizen.

In doing so, the Partnership Councils recognise the struggles faced by some of the Armed Forces Community and will help and support serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and military families by upholding the principals of the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Partnership Councils will show their support by appointing an Elected Member Armed Forces Champion in due course and a Staff Member Armed Forces Champion for each partner Council to promote support for the Armed Forces Community.

The Partnership Councils will also support and encourage the employment of Military Veterans, Serving Spouses and Partners and Reservists and encourage support for and membership of local Cadet units.

Commitment will also be shown through the Partnership Councils supporting and promoting Armed Forces charities, Armed Forces events and encouraging local businesses to consider offering discounts for those in the Armed Forces Community.

Wellbeing Lincs also signed the Covenant along with representatives from Kirton Medical Centre, Swineshead Medical Centre and Parkside Surgery as part of the Primary Care Networks who collectively shared their support for the Armed Forces Community.

Among the three Council Leaders were the Joint Chief Executive for the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Councils, Rob Barlow, who opened the event alongside Deputy Chief Executive (Communities), John Leach. The event also welcomed special guests, Wing Commander, Kerstie Wright; Ministry of Defence Regional Employer Engagement Director, Bruce Spencer; and Deputy Regional Employer Engagement Director, Kirstie Lawrence.

Observers of the ceremony included the Veterans Support Service, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, Blind Veterans UK, Butterfly Hospice Trust and The Forces Employment Charity (RFEA).

In a speech at the ceremony, Bruce Spencer explained that "Reserves have been mobilised numerous times across the last decade" and went on to describe examples where Reservists have helped resolve issues the public have faced such as the Fuel Crisis of last October, the roll out of Vaccinations for COVID-19 and the natural disasters that have happened in the last 10 years. He closed his speech by saying "that is the importance of the Armed Forces Covenant, no disadvantage for the military service".

A joint statement from Councillor Paul Skinner Leader of Boston Borough Council, Councillor Craig Leyland, Leader of East Lindsey District Council, and Councillor Gary Porter, Leader of South Holland District Council, said: "We feel honoured to have re-signed the Covenant alongside Wellbeing Lincs and the Primary Care Network, showing our joint commitment and support to the Armed Forces Community.

"Supporting the Armed Forces is just as important today, as we rely on them to help keep our country safe at a time when war continues. We would like to thank those in attendance and thank the serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and military families whose resilience we value."