DDC's Armed Forces Lead Neil Chester with DDC Chairman and Armed Forces Champion Cllr Gordon Cowan
A new handbook helping to support Armed Forces veterans and their families living in the Dover district has been created by Dover District Council (DDC).
The Veterans’ Guidebook pulls together essential information and helpful resources on housing, money, jobs, health and wellbeing, specifically for ex-military personnel who have left the forces, either recently or some time ago.
It will be distributed throughout the district via community outlets including GP surgeries, cafes, community centres, local branches of the Royal British Legion, armed forces groups and other relevant voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations.
Cllr Gordon Cowan, DDC’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “Transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging, with a significant shift to unfamiliar routines and feelings of uncertainty without that tight network around you.
“We recognise that ex-military personnel and their families need and deserve practical help with housing, employment, health and education.
“We know there is always more to do, but we hope this guidebook will go some way in offering the support needed to help ensure a smoother transition to civilian life.
“We will be forever grateful to the sacrifices both our serving personnel and veterans have made for this country, and we remain committed to helping them.”
In 2013, DDC signed the Armed Forces Covenant, showing its commitment to providing easy access to services and support for ex-military personnel, those still serving and their families.
In 2020, the Council received the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence for actively supporting the armed forces community within the workplace.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
More information about the Covenant and how to get involved is at https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/
For more details on the scheme locally, see our Armed Forces Covenant pages
You can read the Veterans' Guidebook online here veteran handbook_2024_ONLINE
Posted on 23 January 2025