Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust
Transformational Grants Project 2024-2027

The Transformational Grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust awarded to Burnley FC in the Community (BFCitC) marks a significant initiative aimed at supporting veterans through sports-related projects. With a focus on enhancing physical and mental health outcomes for veterans, this three-year endeavour seeks to establish or enhance veterans projects within a sports club environment.

Sports Charity Champions for Military Projects

Burnley FC in the Community will expand their Sports Club Champion Project to share best practice, level up existing provision, mentor and guide the sports charity sector in delivering quality projects for the Armed Forces community throughout the UK. This programme builds on the success of the organisation’s work under the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust- Veterans Places, Pathways and People Project, including the creation of a toolkit to assist in how the Sports Club Champions can effectively engage the Armed Forces community in activities.

Overall, this project represents a converted effort to address the needs and challenges faced by Sport Club CCO’s leveraging the power of the badge, sports and community engagement to provide a sustainable Veterans Project that will successfully improve well-being and facilitate their transition into civilian society.

Veterans Places, Pathways and People
North West- Forces Wellbeing Collective

Over the past two years, Burnley FC in the Community and ten other organisations joined together to improve the wellbeing of Veterans. Organisations were selected from a diverse range of backgrounds who created toolkits and leveled up provision to support veterans, their families, carers and CCO staff to provide high standard experiences, regardless of the provider. The Forces Wellbeing Collective vowed to work together, commit to a culture of openness, and cooperate to show we are person-centred, value diversity and are the voice of lived experience, who will commit to equal access to better services.

Supported by expert partners, we have created a collaborative network tasked with tackling the key problems that our community faces. Together we strive for excellence through continuous improvement and to overcome challenges by sharing our collective knowledge, expertise, tools and resources.

THE AIMS OF OUR SPORTS CLUB CHAMPION PROJECT

Initiating and Developing Veterans Projects

BFCitC aims to either create new veterans projects or enhance existing ones within the sports club environment, providing tailored support and activities to meet the needs of veterans.

Sharing Best Practices

The project staff will disseminate best practices in veterans support, drawing from their experiences and expertise. This sharing of knowledge aims to improve the quality of veterans projects nationwide.

Mentoring and Guiding

BFCitC will mentor and guide other sports charity organizations, helping them establish and deliver high-quality projects for the Armed Forces community across the UK.

Addressing Increasing Referrals

With a growing number of referrals for veterans’ physical and mental health support, the project aims to meet this demand by offering holistic support through sports-related activities.

Providing Alternative Access to Services

Sports community charities serve as an alternative “front door” for members of the Armed Forces community to access support services. By leveraging sports-related initiatives, veterans can receive comprehensive support that aids in their reintegration into civilian life.

Access to Tailored Information and Resources:

Sporting organizations across the UK will gain access to tailored information, tools, and resources. This will equip them with the knowledge and understanding needed to effectively engage with the Armed Forces community and deliver impactful projects.

Member Organisations of the Forces Wellbeing Collective

Burnley FC in the Community subcategorized into the ‘People’ section of the portfolio, provided a toolkit that includes a pathway and reviewable goal setting practice available to all CCO’s amongst the Sport Charity sector in the North West of England. With the support of our strategic leads and other members, we were able to support 56 Sport Club Charities and groups across the North West and surrounding regions.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Forces Wellbeing Collective and continuing to work through the Consultation phase.

Which you can become a member of today! If you’re an individual who supports the Armed Forces in either a professional or volunteer capacity, register your interest to become a member today.