The idea of not seeing your partner or parent for months at a time, often with limited contact, can be stressful and unsettling. But it’s a common experience for many armed forces families.
Deployment, training and exercises make separation a fundamental part of service for many, but this can have a significant impact on family life. Being apart can cause loneliness and a sense of isolation – whether you’re ‘weekending’ and adjusting to a constantly changing family dynamic or dealing with long separations.
Re-opening today, The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (The Trust) devised their Apart, not Alone programme to tackle this issue head on, offering support for armed forces families facing time apart.
Building on the success of last year’s programme, this year the Trust are delivering support where and when it’s needed most - reflecting the changing nature of deployment, recognising the different types of separation and the sometimes very different challenges these can present.
Why are we running this programme?
Apart not Alone aims to improve the quality of life for those impacted by service-related separation. So far, The Trust have awarded over £70,000 to support forces families facing these challenges.
But service life, and the nature of the separation it presents, is changing and The Trust want to ensure the funding they provide continues to make the biggest difference. This year’s programme builds on what’s been achieved so far and ensures even more service families struggling with separation can be supported.
What’s changed for 2025/26?
This year, Apart not Alone offers two opportunities for funding which address the unique needs of serving armed forces families facing separation.
The core programme, Apart, not Alone - Supporting serving families impacted by service-related separation will fund projects achieving one or more of the following outcomes:
- Families feel more able to manage the impact of loneliness or isolation during periods of separation.
- Improved mental health and wellbeing for serving families.
- Improved understanding of effective models of support for serving families.
- Families experience fewer challenges during reintegration after deployment or extended separation.
And the great news is charities and CICs only need to have been registered for at least one year to apply for up to £25,000 for a 12-month project. Armed forces bases and units are also welcome to apply.
For charities and CICs registered for at least three years, you can apply for up to £50,000 for projects lasting up to 24 months.
This year, there’s an additional opportunity for local authorities and registered charities registered for at least three years, to access funding. Apart not Alone - Local impact grants offers portfolio grants of up to £300,000 towards projects delivered in a specific location over a period of up to three years.
You’ll need to demonstrate how you will deliver a targeted package of support, delivered through extensive collaboration with the community, in UK locations where serving families experience particular challenges.
You’ll also need to demonstrate how you will deliver long-lasting change and how you will meet all of the outcomes above, as well as:
- Enhanced collaboration and streamlined support pathways for the serving community through stronger partnerships and improved service integration.
A full list of eligibility guidance for both funding opportunities is available on the Trust website.
Dates and deadlines
For the core Apart, not Alone programme there will be two funding rounds this year:
- Round 1 application deadline is 12 noon on 30 July 2025.
- Round 2 application deadline is 12 noon on 21 January 2026.
While the Apart not Alone - Local impact grants programme has a two-stage application process. At stage one, the Trust are looking for expressions of interest (EOI) to act as the single grant holder and lead the portfolio. The stage one deadline is 12 noon on 23 July 2025.
Find out more
To find full details of this programme and to apply, visit the Trust’s website www.covenantfund.org.uk
Keep up to date with funding opportunities
For the latest updates and announcements on each of these Covenant Fund programmes, and any other funding opportunities the Trust has available throughout the year, sign up to their e-newsletter via their website www.covenantfund.org.uk
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