A PROGRAMME to support current and former military personnel and their families in Dorset has received a boost for the next two years.

The successful bid, made by Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council and Borough of Poole, means the authorities have been given a £234,786 grant from the Ministry of Defence Armed Forces Covenant Fund.

Working with Dorset HealthCare and Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office, the scheme enhance work to make sure members of the armed forces community are treated fairly and equitably across the county.

There are an estimated 51,000 veterans living in Dorset, with the county having a greater proportion of veterans than the country as a whole.

Projects will focus on areas such as employment, training, schools, health and wellbeing and housing.

There are also plans to create 13 one-stop-shop veterans and armed forces family hubs across Dorset, based in libraries.

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset County Council armed forces champion, said: “Having had personal experience of being a member of the Royal Air Force, it is exciting to be working closely with partners across Dorset to make much-needed support more readily available for members of the armed forces community. I feel a huge sense of relief that finally, more is being done to support our local military families and veterans.”

Cllr Robert Lawton, Bournemouth Borough Council cabinet member for housing, said: “We’re proud to be using our funding from the Armed Forces Covenant grant to bring the community together to support our veterans. Working closely with our partners, the funding will support projects across Dorset ensuring our personnel, veterans, and their families are treated fairly and do not suffer any disadvantage because of their service.”

Cllr Karen Rampton, cabinet portfolio holder for housing and community services, Borough of Poole, said: “We developed an early action plan for the bid in Poole, so we’re pleased that it has been successful. This is all about community spirit and celebrating the diversity of our armed forces, who continue to play such a crucial role in our society.”

Andy Willis, chair of Dorset HealthCare, said: “Our corporate covenant with the armed forces in Dorset recognises our strong commitment to supporting members of the armed forces and veterans living in Dorset. We know that 24 per cent of veterans aged 16-64 report long-term illness, compared to 13 per cent of the general population. Mental health issues figure highly and we are working to address the stigma relating to this and to improve access to care for members of the armed forces, veterans and their families. We are excited to be part of this initiative and pleased to be hosting the covenant officer in our armed forces health and wellbeing service on behalf of the partnership.”

Martyn Underhill, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Because of my role, I am especially excited by the opportunity to address reoffending rates among veterans. This includes those who are serving a sentence or are being released from custody or prison. The success of our partnership bid provides a fantastic and much-needed opportunity to engage with and provide tailored support to meet the complex needs of our veterans in Dorset.”