The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) awarded nearly £2 million to Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) to deliver targeted support – including counselling, emotional and practical care - to military families who’ve lost loved ones during or connected to service.
Long-term vison for transformational change
This project will deliver long-term, transformational change by addressing the unique challenges bereaved military families face over time. Through specialist support services delivered in partnership – including wellbeing and counselling – DMWS will help families move forward with strengthened mental health and resilience.
Insights driving the programme
The programme builds on insights from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust’ three-year consultation framework, launched in 2024, which highlighted the need for more joined-up accessible, and compassionate support for bereaved families. To deepen our understanding, we also commissioned Alma Economics to explore the specific needs and lived experiences of bereaved military families in greater detail.
Their research into the needs of the bereaved armed forces community provided valuable evidence about the challenges these families face and identified clear priorities for future support. The findings not only validated earlier insights but opened new areas of focus – directly informing the design and creation of the ‘Empowering Bereaved Military Families’ programme.
Holistic, family-centred support
Crucially, DMWS will provide support to the whole family unit- including children and extended family members – with services tailored to individual needs. Families will no longer need to repeat their story at every stage. By embedding lived experience into both the design and delivery of the programme, the voices of bereaved families remain at its heart.
Jessica Liston, Director of England and Wales, of DMWS, said:
“Defence Medical Welfare Service are incredibly proud to be selected as the lead for the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Empowering Bereaved Military Families Programme. We will be working collaboratively with some great partners offering a powerful opportunity to review and improve the experience for families who lose loved ones in service or connected to service”.
Find out more
Check out the award made on the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust website here.
Read more here about the Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme