Ex-Armed Forces & Veterans Support at Sopra Steria

The Armed Forces' Covenant is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

As a signatory of the Armed Forces' Covenant, Sopra Steria in the United Kingdom has committed to support the Armed Forces' Community. Further, we recognise the value that Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country. 

The Armed Forces Community, as defined within the Armed Forces' Covenant, comprises:

• Veterans
• Reservists
• Cadet Force Adult Volunteers
• Spouses of those currently serving in the Armed Forces.

In addition, Sopra Steria recognises former Reservists and those that were spouses of serving personnel in our Armed Forces Community as they understand the unique situation of Service life and how it can negatively affect employment in the private sector.

Purpose of the Armed Forces Community Network​

The Armed Forces Community Network (AFCN) will provide a forum where relevant issues and different perspectives can be openly discussed to promote better understanding and raise awareness across our Company. 

The aim of the AFCN is to provide a forum for the Armed Forces community and those people that support this community to: 

• Raise issues that impact the AFC. 
• Discuss how to overcome tangible problems and, as a last resort, take problems to the Senior Leadership Team in Sopra Steria for resolution. 
• Ensure that the Sopra Steria UK Senior Leadership Team uphold their commitment to honour the Armed Forces' Covenant and support the AFC.
• Bring together the AFC and its supporters to celebrate the positive capabilities that the AFC brings to Sopra Steria UK. 
• Act as a conduit for anyone in the AFC to talk about their issues. Our aspiration is that within the AFCN we will have trained ‘Mental Health First Aiders’ who will be able to listen to concerns and provide support during difficult times. Non-exhaustive examples include: 
• Veterans that are struggling to adapt to life outside the Armed Forces; 
• Spouses/Partners of serving personnel worried about their loved ones; 
• Reservists and Cadet Instructors struggling to juggle their civilian and military roles; 
• Those with ​PTSD (diagnosed or not) are unclear about where to turn to support; 
• Anyone who simply just wants to talk to a willing volunteer that will be able to empathise and advise.