Armed Forces Covenant

Armed forces

Birmingham City Council signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant in 2011, to support the armed forces community in the city and the principles of the national Armed Forces Covenant.

Councillor Ian Ward, then Leader of the Council, Councillor Mike Sharpe, Armed Forces Champion, and Brigadier A J Smith, 11th Signal Brigade Commander, signed an updated covenant which underlines the city’s continued commitment to supporting and working with the armed forces community in Birmingham.

Our renewed commitments have been shaped and agreed with the Birmingham Armed Forces Partnership.

Watch message from Cllr Ian Ward and Cllr Mike Sharpe.

Watch message from Brigadier A J Smith

Aims of the covenant

  • To support the principles of the national Armed Forces Covenant, which details the government, and the nation as a whole, should all interact with our armed forces
  • To encourage all of Birmingham’s communities to offer support to the armed forces community
  • To help armed forces personnel and their families to access the help and support available to them
  • To encourage the armed forces community to support their local community and promote activities which integrate them with civilian life

How we will achieve our aims

  • Provide additional points for council home application from ex-service personnel
  • Explore how the armed forces community can contribute to voluntary activities in Birmingham
  • Provide opportunities for ex-service personnel to access employment and training
  • Identify existing support services for the families and children of the armed forces community
  • Support the ongoing health and well-being of current and ex-service personnel

Useful information and support services

We have compiled a directory of services called the Birmingham Armed Forces Covenant Guide. The guide contains helpful information for the whole armed forces community including those who are currently serving, veterans, reservists, family members and cadets.

You may also find the following sources of information helpful:


Page last updated: 21 June 2024

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