Support for veterans

Northamptonshire ICB, along with our partners, are committed to ensuring members of the Armed Forces Community have fair and easy access to health and social care services.

As part of the Armed Forces Covenant the ICB is committed to planning health and social care support for veterans, reservists, serving members of the armed forces and their families living and working in this area.

On this page you can find more information about the local and national support available. You can also find more about the ICB’s role in commissioning services for the Armed Forces Community on the NHS website.

Local information

The NHS works closely with a range of organisations including local authorities, charities and other partners. Together we provide services including health, social care, mental health support, housing and financial assistance.

The Armed Forces Covenant Northamptonshire

The Armed Forces Covenant Northamptonshire website is a digital hub for the armed forces community in Northamptonshire including support services, housing, education and employment opportunities.

Armed Forces Community Hubs

The Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board run a series of drop-in hubs across Northamptonshire which are open to anyone from the Armed Forces Community. The hubs and drop-ins are a good place to go for information on local support services and partner organisations.

OpCourage

OpCourage is an NHS mental health specialist service for serving personnel leaving the military, including reservists, veterans and their families.

Veterans Community Network

Veterans Community Network (VCN) is a local charity offering support to veterans, reservists and their families in accessing the treatment and support services to help them cope, adjust and manage situations such as mental health, housing, benefits and social isolation through specisalised peer mentors and community hub events.

Veteran Friendly GP practices

A Veteran Friendly GP practice is a GP practice that has undergone training so they can better support the Armed Forces Community. Many GP practices in Northamptonshire are Veteran Friendly accredited.

Local NHS trusts

Northampton General Hospital and Kettering General Hospital are both accredited as Veteran Aware.

In addition Kettering General Hospital has achieved the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) - accrediting the hospital as being Veterans Aware - and the Ministry of Defence’s Silver Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (DEMR).

Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust has been signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant since 2017.

North Northamptonshire Council

North Northamptonshire Council has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant.

West Northamptonshire Council

West Northamptonshire Council has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and has achieved silver status in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

National information

The Armed Forces Community can access help for a range of issues including leaving service, mental health, physical wellbeing and for those in contact with the justice system.

NHS website

The NHS website has a wealth of information to signpost members of the Armed Forces Community to, including charities and support groups, guide for service leavers, mental health support, information for families and accessing NHS healthcare while in active service.