News & Views

'An important new report by the Directory of Social Change (DSC) into the Funding for Armed Forces Children and Young People was launched in London on Friday 23^rd June 2023. Commissioned by the Service Children’s Progression (SCiP) Alliance and funded by the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) and the Naval Children’s Charity (NCC) it aims to provide the first systematic and rigorous account of the landscape of funding for support for Armed Forces children and young people.

The report focuses on funding from charities but also encompasses support from other types of organisation and statutory funding streams and provides a point of reference to drive collaboration and partnership working to enhance the support offered to these children who are impacted by their parents’ service in the Armed Forces.

The launch was generously hosted by UBS in the City of London. Huge thanks to them for the amazing facilities and food they provided. Attended by representatives from charities across the UK, the MoD, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, New Philanthropy Capital, the Association of Charitable Foundations, and Cobseo amongst others the energy and interest in the room to come together collectively, collaboratively, and positively was palpable.

The DSC took us through the key highlights from the research in the morning, followed by a vibrant and fascinating panel discussion. During the afternoon the delegates split into workshops to explore what collaboration and evaluation of the funding looked like, what we could learn from each other and what the next steps could be.

Thanks must go to all those involved in bringing this work together and to those that attended and brought their knowledge and experience to the room to help bring a brighter future to our Armed Forces children.'

Clare Scherer MBE

Naval Children’s Charity CEO