Support for veterans
Join Swindon Borough Council – be part of our transformation and serve your community again.
We recognise the unique skills, experience, and dedication that ex-military personnel bring to public service. As part of our ongoing transformation journey, we are actively encouraging veterans, reservists, and their families to join us and help shape the future of our community.
In line with our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, we’ve introduced a dedicated policy to support those who have served.
This includes:
- guaranteed interviews for veterans who meet the essential criteria for any advertised role
- paid leave for annual training camps
- flexible working arrangements for reservists and military families
- recognition and support throughout your employment
Whether you are transitioning from service or looking for a new purpose-driven career, we welcome your values, resilience, and leadership.
To the veterans and reservists already part of the Council – thank you for your continued service.
To find out more about current opportunities, visit our careers website.
Pledges
A full list of pledges is included in the signed copy of the Armed Forces Covenant. It includes:
Useful contacts
Armed forces healthcare
Healthcare information and support for the UK's armed forces community, including serving personnel, reservists, families and veterans.
Veterans' Gateway
A point of contact for veterans seeking support, putting veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help.
Government support and guidance
Emergencies
- for immediate help in an emergency, call 999
- for urgent psychological support, call Combat Stress on 0800 1381619 or the Samaritans on 116 123
- for urgent housing support, call Shelter on 0808 800 4444
The Royal British Legion
Offers support though the phone or email and also you can apply to be helped with the cost of living with a cost-of-living grant.
Tel: 824660 (lines open daily 8.00am to 8.00pm)
Website: The Royal British Legion
SSAFA Wiltshire
Provides lifelong support to those who are serving or have served in the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines or the Royal Air Force, and to their families.
Email: southwest.region@ssafa.org.uk
Tel: 0204 566 9131 (Lines are open 9.00 to 17.00 Monday to Friday) or you can talk to them though live Chat online.
For urgent help you can contact Forcesline on 0800 260 6767 (lines are open from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday) or you can talk to the live chat online.
Higher Futures
An education and skills service ensuring the military community can benefit from opportunities offered by Swindon and Wiltshire businesses.
Tel: 01225 756174
Email: HigherFutures@swlep.co.uk
The Swindon Military Veterans Breakfast Club
Promotes camaraderie and goodwill through shared experiences and banter.
Every Saturday from 9.05am onwards.
Toby Carvery
Elstree Way
Swindon
SN25 4YX
Facebook: Swindon Military Veterans Breakfast Club
Help for Heroes
Whether you need urgent support, a listening ear, or want to find out more about how we help the Armed Forces community, we're here to help.
Samaritans Freephone Number: 0808 175 3075 (24/7)
Samaritans Email: jo@samaritans.org (24/7)
Voluntary Action Swindon
A charity that helps other charities. Enables and develops the local voluntary and community sector through advice and training, running campaigns and events, supporting networks and representing sector views to policymakers.
John Street
Swindon
SN1 1RT
Tel: 01793 538398
Voluntary Action Swindon website
Voluntary Action Swindon on Facebook