LJMU joins new partnership aimed at providing better support for veterans
Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has joined the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Armed Forces Covenant Partnership to support the delivery of VALOUR, a new government initiative that aims to streamline access to care and support for veterans and their families.
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, paid tribute to the Armed Forces as he launched the new scheme during an event at the university, outlining the commitment to providing better support to veterans in the Liverpool City Region.
The city region is joining Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire in delivering the Northern Pathfinder of the VALOUR programme, a pilot offering veterans easier access to help and with regional networks connecting veterans with housing, employment and health services.
Backed by £50m of funding, VALOUR is part of the government’s commitment to people who have served, better connecting local and national services to ensure veterans are supported and ensuring veterans’ support is truly data driven.
To support the delivery of VALOUR, the Mayor today launched the LCR Armed Forces Covenant Partnership which will bring together local government, third sector and other organisations, including LJMU, to develop and test the city region’s services for veterans.
We’ve always had a deep-rooted respect for our Armed Forces in the Liverpool City Region and the sacrifices they make. That’s reflected in the incredible work of our veterans’ charities, our local networks, and the unwavering commitment of our councils and other public service providers through the Armed Forces Covenant.
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram
The Mayor added: “VALOUR will give us a chance to build on that strong foundation — working hand in hand with government and partners across the North to deliver better, more joined-up support for those who’ve served.”
We were delighted and honoured to host the launch of the LCR Armed Forces Covenant Partnership here on campus. As part of the university’s Armed Forces Covenant pledge, we are eager to make a meaningful contribution to this new partnership which will provide even more opportunities for collaboration across the city region for the benefit of the Armed Forces community.
Dr Gus Ryrie, LJMU’s Armed Forces Champion
Support is already available to veterans, delivered by a range of effective providers, however the current system can be difficult to navigate. VALOUR will offer improved coordination at local and national level which should better meet veterans’ needs and avoid duplication.
Alongside creating VALOUR, the government has announced it will extend the Armed Forces Covenant Duty.
The current duty relates to health, housing and education and requires local authorities, NHS bodies, and education providers to consider the needs of the Armed Forces community in their decision-making.
This will now be extended to more aspects of veterans lives such as the needs of Armed Forces families and it will apply to more organisations, including central government departments.
The LCR Armed Forces Covenant Partnership will also support organisations to better embed this new duty.
LJMU’s support for the Armed Forces community
LJMU signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021. Since then, it has appointed its first Armed Forces Champion and formed a cross-university Armed Forces Steering Group, which brings together colleagues across all factions of the university to drive forwards everything from research to HR policy development, all with the aim of better supporting students and staff from the Armed Forces community and creating positive change for the community across the UK.
In August 2024, LJMU was awarded gold status under the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in acknowledgement of the work being undertaken in support of the Armed Forces Covenant.
Find out more about LJMU’s pledge to the Armed Forces community.
