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Armed Forces Covenant
We proudly support the Armed Forces Covenant - our commitment to ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly and have access to the same support and services as any other citizen.
We signed the Covenant in 2024 and continue to work actively across our services to uphold its principles.
Who we support
We’re committed to supporting all members of the Armed Forces community, including:
- regular and reserve personnel
- veterans
- families of serving personnel and veterans
- bereaved families
- cadet adult volunteers
How we are supporting
We ask all housing applicants if they have served in the Armed Forces so we can identify any additional needs and provide tailored support.
Our Lettings Policy removes the local connection requirement for veterans applying to the housing register.
We work closely with Jobcentre Ex-Forces Champions and refer clients to specialist services such as the Royal British Legion, SSAFA, and others when needed.
Disabled Facilities and Home Improvement Grants
We provide access to Disabled Facilities Grants and other support for essential repairs in the private housing sector. For ex-service personnel, if additional funding is needed beyond the standard grant, we help connect them with charities such as the Royal British Legion and SSAFA for further financial support.
For further information, please see our Home Improvement Agency page.
Support for reservists
Reservists are committed to undertaking military training throughout the year, with the main annual training commitment a two-week training camp. Council employees who are, or who wish to become, reservists will be permitted a minimum of 10 days unpaid leave per year to attend the training camp.
This will be in addition to the employee’s contractual leave entitlement. Our internal Reservist Toolkit helps managers understand mobilisation, training, and return-to-work processes.
Our ongoing commitment
We have a dedicated Armed Forces Staff Forum, made up of volunteers from across the council - including veterans, reservists, and family members. The forum meets regularly to discuss new ideas and improve our support for the Armed Forces community.
We also maintain a live action plan to track our progress and ensure we’re delivering meaningful support in line with the Covenant.
Further support
If you’re a member of the Armed Forces community and need help with housing, grants, welfare, or employment, please get in touch with our teams:
Email: ContactUs@eastcambs.gov.uk
Phone: 01353 665555
Lead elected member: Cllr Martin Goodearl
Lead officer: Sarah Burton
We are proud to stand by our Armed Forces community - past and present - and will continue working to ensure they receive the recognition and support they deserve.
Royal British Legion Cambridgeshire
How Are You East Cambs? Royal British Legion Soham
SSAFA Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire
Ely-specific support
Ely Armed Forces and Veterans: This group offers social activities for veterans and their families, including a weekly coffee morning and a monthly breakfast club.
Breakfast Club: Meets once a week at Ely Library and once a month at the Ely Outdoor Sports Association
Drop-in Hub: An informal, relaxed setting at Ely Library for the armed forces community, often run by volunteers with awareness training about local services.