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Dartmouth Community Chest

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

From:
Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations (RFCA)
Published:
2 October 2026
Pledged:
Armed Forces Friendly, UK Service Veterans And Leavers, UK Service Spouses And Partners, UK Reservists, Armed Forces Charities and Bespoke Pledges
Region:
Wessex
Company size:
0-9 Micro
Industry:
Not For Profit
Ownership:
Non-profit
Date signed:
26 August 2026

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, His Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Dartmouth Community Chest will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:

  • no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
  • and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.

Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Dartmouth Community Chest recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:

  • Armed Forces Friendly
  • UK Service Veterans And Leavers
  • UK Service Spouses And Partners
  • UK Reservists
  • Armed Forces Charities

We also pledge the following:

  • Community Support and Inclusion: Provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for serving personnel, veterans and their families within Dartmouth Community Chest activities.

  • Continue to run the men’s group twice a week, recognising that some veterans may find this informal setting easier than talking directly about their service

  • Support individuals to move into veteran-specific support when they feel ready to do so

  • Practical Advice, Benefits and Signposting: Continue to host the Department for Work and Pensions Armed Forces Champion in the café monthly.

  • Help members Of the Armed Forces Community access support relating to benefits, pensions, housing, appointments and other practical needs.

  • Signpost veterans and their families to appropriate local and national services where specialist advice is required

  • Veteran Support Hub and Specialist Partnership: Work with the Veteran Support Hub as it joins Dartmouth Community Chest to provide further support around work, activities, mental health and wider wellbeing.

  • Strengthen cooperation with statutory agencies, service charities, local organisations and com-munity partners to make support easier to access.

  • Encourage joined-up support that helps veterans build confidence, connection and purposeful activity within the local community.

  • Recognition, Remembrance end Community Events: Recognise and value the contribution made by serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families.

  • Continue to support local remembrance and veteran community activities where appropriate, including activity such as the veterans’ lunch after the Remembrance Parade in 2025.

  • Encourage respectful public awareness Of veterans’ experiences and the contribution of the Armed Forces Community.

  • Fundraising and Veteran Wellbeing Initiatives: Support fundraising and community initiatives that benefit veterans and their families.

  • Continue fundraising for support dogs for veterans and similar practical measures that improve wellbeing, confidence and independence.

  • Promote opportunities for residents and organisations to contribute to veteran support.

  • Advocacy and Awareness: Promote awareness of the Armed Forces Covenant and its principles through Dartmouth Community Chest communications and community engagement.

  • Use Armed Forces Covenant branding where appropriate to Signal our commitment.

  • Invite feedback from the Armed Forces Community and community partners on how we are meeting these commitments.

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.

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