Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust grants funding

20 August 2019

20 August 2019

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust has awarded a further grant to a project delivering support to Veterans in the Criminal Justice System, delivered by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

Financial support for the service from the Trust, totalling £111,893, will be received over the next two years and will facilitate the further advancement of the service. Building on findings and responding to evaluation, a wider reaching and more consistent service will be developed.

SSAFA offers support to members of the Armed Forces community currently in the Criminal Justice System, and their families. Through its network of volunteers, SSAFA works with local prison and probation services to advise veterans on the Criminal Justice and Prison Systems, as well as supporting with any identified needs closer to release. 

Without judgement, SSAFA works with veterans inside the Criminal Justice System, no matter what the circumstances. Understanding the complex journey that can sometimes be faced upon leaving the Forces, SSAFA aims to address and remove barriers that prevent successful rehabilitation and work closely with organisations within the Criminal Justice System to help change offending behaviour and patterns.   

The Trust is pleased to award this Continuation and Sustainability funding to SSAFA so that they can continue to provide much needed support to Former Personal within the Criminal Justice System supporting former service personnel with needs that can be complex.

- Sonia Howe, Director of Policy, Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. This grant will allow SSAFA to continue vital work with these veterans, who are as much in need of non-judgemental support as any other. We know the difference that the VCJS Support Service makes to getting on the pathway to a successful rehabilitation onto the straight and narrow. We aim to ensure that no veteran feels alone, no matter where they are.

- Gary Williams, Head of Specialist Services, SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity

If you are a dependent of a veteran in prison or know a veteran in prison that needs support then please visit our specialist Veterans in the Criminal Justice System page here.