DMWS awarded funding for Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme - DMWS
The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) is proud to announce that we have been awarded funding through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to deliver the Empowering Bereaved Military Families programme.
Working in collaboration with trusted partners (Cruse Bereavement Support, Cruse Scotland, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, The Poppy Factory), the programme will provide dedicated mental health support, bereavement support, counselling, and wraparound practical and emotional care to military families who have lost loved ones in service, or whose deaths were connected to service. Families will also benefit from guided referrals, peer support, and long-term help tailored to their individual needs.
This portfolio approach will ensure that bereaved families can access support through multiple entry points, receive consistent and compassionate care, and avoid the pain of having to repeatedly tell their story. From counselling for children and adults, to practical advice on housing, finance, or employment, the programme will respond to the unique challenges bereaved military families face.
Abby Dryden, CEO of DMWS, said:
“Behind every military bereavement is a family navigating unimaginable loss, often compounded by the complexity of military systems, stigma, and isolation. This award enables us to work with specialist partners to create a truly joined-up, compassionate, and inclusive support network. By listening to bereaved families and placing their voices at the heart of this programme, we will build lasting change that ensures no family feels forgotten or alone in their grief.”