Why The Armed Forces Covenant Matters For Mental Health
A guest blog post by Tommy Kelly (Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Coordinator – Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Cambridgeshire County Council).
I joined the British Army in 1991 pretty much straight from school and was the youngest in my troop of over 50 recruits at just 17 years and three weeks old. Basic training was ten weeks long and by the end of the training, there were about 27 of us that passed out. Postings were in Catterick and Colchester with a six-month tour in Northern Ireland. This was followed by a posting to Fallingbostel in Northern Germany and a six-month tour in Bosnia. I left in 1999 and found myself in civvy street not really having much of an idea of how housing, employment or health worked outside of the Army.
I had no mates to ask and things like form filling, which was pretty much covered for you by the Army, was now my responsibility. The military are very good at supporting troops with their admin and during my service it was pretty much a case of you went and did the course and magically, your certificate, driving licence or other paperwork landed in your pigeonhole. Your accommodation charges were taken at source and even food, for those in single accommodation, was deducted automatically before you were paid. Whilst convenient and good to keep soldiers soldiering, outside of the Army this lack of experience made completing even basic admin feel challenging.
It was difficult to ask for help as you didn’t want to look stupid or simply didn’t know where to turn. The people at the housing association saw a grown man and expected him to know what was happening and how things worked. Inside, I was a ball of confusion and uncertainty. It was quite overwhelming to say the least. The accommodation I initially moved to was far from the size of the married quarter I had in Germany, and it was quite cramped in a pretty run-down area. I didn’t really have a choice either and couldn’t refuse it.
I needed to work and joined a driving agency delivering parcels to residential addresses all over the south of England. It was a lonely time. I missed the camaraderie of my mates and struggled to find a sense of belonging. No one wanted to get to know me and the banter and shared understanding was gone. The slang and language I used wasn’t always understood or appreciated, and it was a miserable time. Getting a permanent job wasn’t much better, and I soon understood that military style banter didn’t really fit into most job roles in the civilian world. It took time for me to adapt to civilian life, and I did feel disadvantaged due to my years of service.
From my experience of working alongside the Armed Forces Community as the Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Coordinator for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, I think I got away lightly compared to others who suffer with physical injury or mental illness or simply can’t manage to get by as I did. This is why the Armed Forces Covenant is so important. The Covenant is all about making sure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, aren’t unfairly disadvantaged because of their service. Life in the military often means facing challenges that most people don’t have to think about. While many can choose where they live, work, or send their kids to school without much disruption, military families often uproot their lives every few years.
For those currently serving in the Armed Forces, everyday life can come with unique pressures that most people don’t have to think about. Frequent moves often lead to higher living costs and the stress of constantly starting over. Accessing basic goods and services isn’t always straightforward, especially when you’re posted in remote or unfamiliar areas. On top of that, living under a different legal system can feel restrictive, and some rights that civilians take for granted might not apply in the same way. And of course, the nature of the job itself brings real risks, not just physically, but mentally too.
For families of those serving in the Armed Forces, life often means adapting to long stretches apart from loved ones, which can take a real emotional toll. Constant relocations make it difficult to build and maintain a career, and being far from extended family or support networks adds another layer of pressure. Children can struggle with disrupted education and the challenge of settling into new schools again and again. Friendships are often short-lived, with goodbyes becoming a regular part of life. On top of all that, the financial impact can’t be ignored. Things like gym memberships, cancelling contracts early, and buying new school uniforms every time you move can quickly become expensive.
For many veterans, transitioning to civilian life can be a real challenge. After years of having structure and support, suddenly having to manage everything alone can feel overwhelming. Many veterans are deeply self-reliant, which makes asking for help difficult, even when it’s needed. And outside the military, support networks may be limited or even non-existent, leaving some feeling isolated during a time of major change.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is home to over 29,000 veterans, and the community here has really stepped up to offer meaningful support. Across the region, there are numerous Armed Forces Community Breakfast and Brunch Clubs, and Veteran Drop-Ins, Hubs, and Reminiscence Groups where people can connect, share stories and find a sense of belonging. All are plotted on this link: Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Mapping. Although some wish to remain as private groups and only accept applications to join from members of the Armed Forces Community, there is more detailed information about some groups on the How Are You Cambridgeshire & Peterborough websites, for example:
Over 300 local businesses, charities, CICs, and Town & Parish Councils have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, showing their commitment to supporting those who’ve served. Healthcare is also stepping up with around 85% of GP practices are now Veteran Friendly accredited, and all NHS Trusts in the area are officially Veteran Aware.
If you’re a veteran or part of the Armed Forces Community, know that support is out there and you’re not alone. Visit www.cambridgeshireinsight.org.uk/afc to learn more. The How Are You Cambridgeshire & Peterborough team have also identified a number of UK-wide charities that offer wellbeing support for serving and veteran UK Armed Forces personnel and their families, including helplines and websites – find out more on this link.
For more information about Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, take a look at this blog post by Major (Ret’d) Tom Bale (Associate Director Corporate Programmes & Armed Forces Lead, CPFT).
#HelpingYouLookAfterYou
