Armed Forces Community Support Fund

Local community groups working with the Armed Forces were invited to apply for new funding from Hart District Council to strengthen their support and outreach. 

Organisations were able bid for up to £4,000 in total from the Armed Forces Community Support Fund for projects and activities that benefit serving members, their families, veterans and cadets in Hart. 

The new funding follows the Council’s recent silver award from the Ministry of Defence’s Armed Forces Covenant for its ongoing support for the Armed Forces community. This is in line with our corporate priorities.  

A total of £25,000 was available. Funding was aimed at local organisations and not intended for nationally-funded organisations. 

Successful organisations

Army Welfare Service Community Support Team, Church Crookham: £3,850
Supporting 18 to 25 year olds from military and civilian families to gain accredited qualifications through their Youth Voice Ambassador scheme.

This project aims to empower young people to take ownership of the youth provision and ensure it is young people led. With the development of this project, it will increase the capacity to run programmes capturing some of the most vulnerable young people and support them to seek employment, training, and next steps. This funding is targeted at young carers, SEN and youth ambassadors, recruiting a cohort of young people to complete various development skills and outline challenges and pathways and will run for one year.

• 5 young people level 2 in youth work
• 10 young people complete basic first aid
• 20 young people have completed C.V and references for employment
• 10 young people to have a baby-sitting qualification
• 15 young people to have LinkedIn profiles and applied for opportunities using this profile
• 18 young people develop bike maintenance skills through alternative training program in partnership with schools
• 12 ASDAN catering project offering life skills and increasing healthy eating knowledge
• College and university support through visits, personal statements, and outreach programmes

Long Sutton Primary School, Hook: £4,000
Developing a support club called 'Long Sutton Heroes' for military children. This will offer essential emotional and social assistance, especially during the challenging times when a parent is deployed.

We enjoyed a fabulous day with Long Sutton Primary School, finding out how the Council’s Armed Forces Community Support Fund grant is helping military children. 

It was wonderful to hear about how the grant has and is being used, to make such a meaningful difference, especially with the training of an Employment Literacy Support Administrator (ELSA) and creating a Wellbeing Room for group sessions and safe spaces. Their Long Sutton Heroes hub provides essential emotional and social assistance which focuses on supporting different challenges. One of these is helping and supporting children when a parent is deployed.

Court Moor School, Fleet: £4,000
Purchase of military standards and camping equipment for established cadet group.

We enjoyed a super evening with Court Moor School army cadets watching the presentation of standards where the cadets demonstrated their impressive drill skills. The group has been supported by our Armed Forces Community Support Fund.

Farnham, Aldershot and Fleet Sea Cadet Unit: £1,714
Purchase of educational tools to teach leadership, camaraderie, communications and teamwork.

We really enjoyed meeting up with the Farnham, Aldershot & Fleet Sea Cadet Unit to see how they’ve used the Armed Forces Community Fund to support their group. The Council grant was used to buy learning kits that foster leadership, camaraderie, communications and teamwork. At our visit the cadets were using the kits to create a mini-Eiffel Tower and make a vehicle that could travel over three metres. The activities get more complex, which promotes leadership capabilities to help in resolving conflicts.

The Yateley and Eversley 2407 Squadron RAF Air Cadets: £3,002
Supporting cadets to gain Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

The group was successful in receiving funds to pay for equipment, allowing them to practice their skills for the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award scheme. Cadets undertake outdoor expeditions that require specialised equipment such as tents, cookers, rucksacks, sleeping bags and mats. However, not all cadets have access to this specialist equipment due to affordability or family financial circumstances which, unless addressed, can create a barrier for many young people eager to take part. 

This communal equipment significantly enhances accessibility for all, ensuring that no cadet is excluded due to financial limitations. By rotating the use of these items, the squadron will support not just one expedition but countless future expeditions, benefiting cadets for years to come This initiative is not just about providing equipment; it is about creating opportunities, breaking down barriers, and shaping future leaders and can equip these young people for success, empowering them to tackle the challenges of the DofE and beyond.

Borders Cadet Corp and Borders Cadet Corp of Drums (Hawley-based): £4,000
Giving advice and support with a view to setting up a hub for cadets and veterans and establishing a drum corps.

Approved applications need to be able to demonstrate what the money has been used for by providing clear figures on how it was spent.  

In exceptional or uncontrollable circumstances, Hart District Council may withdraw grants or postpone the grant scheme.