Armed Forces Support
Overview
If you are serving in the Armed Forces, are a veteran, or are part of an Armed Forces family, support is available.
This page provides information about local and national services that can help with:
- housing
- health
- education
- employment
- well-being
Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant recognises the contribution made by:
- serving personnel
- veterans
- families
It is based on the principle of:
The Covenant helps make sure the Armed Forces community has fair access to services and support.
Neath Port Talbot Council adopted the Community Covenant in 2013 and re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2023.
Support services
Bulldogs BCA
Bulldogs BCA runs a multi-agency drop-in service across South Wales for anyone who has served in the Armed Forces.
Contact details
- Telephone: 01639 820103
- Mobile: 07812 000336
Bulldogs BCA is part of Connected Forces Cymru and is a VALOUR recognised centre. Veterans can access a range of support services in one place.
Welsh Government information and advice
To support serving personnel, veterans and their families, the Welsh Government works with partners across Wales including:
- Royal Navy
- British Army
- Royal Air Force (RAF)
- Career Transition Partnership (CTP)
- Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA)
- public sector organisations
- charities
Together they have developed a guide that includes information, advice and contact details to help people access support when they need it
Veterans Services
Veterans Services provides free support for veterans and their families, including:
- a helpline
- the Veterans Welfare Service
- Defence Transition Services
- injury compensation payments
- bereavement compensation payments
Veteran ID Card
The HM Armed Forces Veteran Card helps veterans prove they have served in the UK Armed Forces.
Veterans in the UK can access a range of discount cards that offer savings on shopping, travel, dining and entertainment, including:
If you left the Armed Forces before December 2018, you will need to apply for a Veteran Card.
If you left after December 2018, a Veteran Card should be included in your service leavers' pack within six weeks of leaving the Armed Forces.
Supporting Service Children in Education (SSCE Cymru)
SSCE Cymru works with organisations across Wales:
These include:
- schools
- children and young people
- local authorities
- Welsh Government
- education professionals
- Armed Forces families
The organisation:
- supports service/military children and their families
- builds support networks across Wales
- improves understanding of the challenges service/military children may face
LGBTQ+ veterans
Fighting With Pride supports LGBTQ+ veterans, serving personnel and their families.
Current Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty
The Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty was introduced in 2022. It requires certain public bodies to consider the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant when making decisions about:
- housing
- education
- health
Organisations covered by the duty include:
- local authorities
- some state-funded schools
- NHS bodies
The duty helps ensure that members of the Armed Forces community are not disadvantaged when accessing these services.
Forthcoming changes
The Armed Forces Bill 2026 is expected to extend the Armed Forces Covenant Legal Duty to UK Government departments, devolved administrations and local authorities.
If introduced, the extended duty will continue to operate on the principle of due regard and cover a broader range of policy areas affecting the Armed Forces community.
The proposed extension will include:
- social care
- childcare
- employment - finding Work
- personal taxation
- welfare benefits
- criminal justice
- immigration
- citizenship
- pensions
- citizens advice
- service-related compensation
- transport
Further information
Find out more about the support available to the Armed Forces community: