Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has pledged continued government support for Northern Ireland’s veterans at a special event celebrating local competitors heading to the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. The gathering in Lisburn highlighted both the international sporting competition and recent domestic policy developments, including the launch of a dedicated veterans support line and the passage of an Armed Forces Covenant motion at Stormont.
The event, titled “Road to Invictus,” brought together serving personnel, veterans and their families to recognise Northern Ireland competitors preparing for the Games, which will return to the UK for the first time since the inaugural London event in 2014.
What are the Invictus Games?
The Invictus Games were founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, following his attendance at the US Warrior Games in 2013. The inaugural competition took place in London from 10-14 September 2014, bringing together over 400 wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans from 13 nations. The Games have since expanded into an international movement held across multiple continents, with Birmingham set to host the eighth iteration from 10-17 July 2027.
The 2027 Games will feature nine core sports plus three new additions: E-sports, Pickleball and Laser Run. Competitions will be centred at the National Exhibition Centre, with swimming events at Sandwell Aquatics Centre.
Minister’s commitments
Minister Lyons used the occasion to highlight his Department’s recent initiatives:
- The Veterans Support Line NI, launched in May 2026, providing free telephone and text access to benefits and housing support
- Enhanced staff training on veterans’ issues
- Closer engagement with veterans’ organisations
- A senior official nominated as strategic lead for veteran services
Minister Lyons said: “The Invictus Games are hugely significant for the veterans community and I was pleased to attend this event to show my support. Since taking up office, I have been focused on improving support for veterans –for those currently serving in the armed forces, for those who have left active service, and their families. While we can never truly repay the sacrifice they have shown, I can, for my part, work to ensure that veterans’ needs are met with the right support delivered in the right way at the right time.”
He added: “That is why I launched the Veterans Support Line NI earlier this year. The groundbreaking service provides a dedicated and confidential point of contact, helping veterans and their families access benefits, housing support and a wide range of other services.”
Veterans Commissioner welcomes progress
Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone, who was reappointed in June 2026 for a further three-year term, attended the event alongside the Minister. Mr Johnstone, a former Royal Irish Regiment officer who served in Iraq, has held the role since January 2025.
Mr Johnstone said: “Invictus is about much more than sport. It is about the extraordinary resilience of those who have experienced injury or illness as a consequence of, or during, their service, and the determination, courage and rehabilitation that can follow. That is why this evening is so important, to bring the Invictus story to Northern Ireland, to explain what these Games represent and to recognise the sacrifices made by our armed forces community and their families.”
He continued: “As we look towards Birmingham 2027, we should also recognise the progress being made here at home. The Armed Forces Covenant motion at Stormont and the work of the Department for Communities to break down barriers to support are important steps towards ensuring our veterans feel recognised, included and able to seek the help they need.”
Armed Forces Covenant: what was passed?
The source material references an Armed Forces Covenant motion passed at Stormont, though specific details of its content and timing are not provided in the press release. According to the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner’s social media, a motion was passed in November 2025, with Belfast City Council subsequently adopting the Covenant in March 2026.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a UK-wide commitment ensuring that service personnel, veterans and their families face no disadvantage in accessing public services. Unlike in Great Britain, where the Covenant has statutory footing in some areas, its implementation in Northern Ireland has historically faced political sensitivities given the region’s history.
Guest speaker: Jonny Ball
The event featured Jonny Ball, an Invictus Games Foundation team member, former competitor and host of the ‘Veterans in Politics’ podcast. Mr Ball, an Army Staff Sergeant from Northamptonshire, competed in cycling, rowing and powerlifting at the 2023 Düsseldorf Games, winning bronze in powerlifting. He has spoken publicly about how sport helped his recovery from a traumatic 2019 motorcycle injury that required seven surgeries.
Questions remain
While the press release presents a positive picture of progress, several questions emerge for veterans and observers:
- What are the practical implications of the Armed Forces Covenant motion? The source does not specify whether this is a symbolic statement or carries binding policy implications for Northern Ireland departments.
- How is the Veterans Support Line performing? No uptake figures or outcome metrics are provided, making it difficult to assess whether this service—described by the Minister as “groundbreaking”—is reaching those who need it.
- What about gaps in provision? Research by Ulster University and Forces in Mind Trust has previously identified challenges including limited data on veterans’ service use, geographical gaps in provision, and difficulties navigating between statutory and charitable services.
- How does Northern Ireland compare? Veterans in Northern Ireland have historically faced different circumstances than those elsewhere in the UK, particularly those who served in Operation Banner during the Troubles, with some research suggesting higher mental health burdens among Home Service veterans.
How to access support
The Veterans Support Line NI can be contacted on 0800 158 5556 or by texting ADVICE to 07860 042576. More information is available at nidirect.gov.uk.
The Department for Communities has also indicated that eligible veterans can access the recently announced Home Heating Oil Support Scheme alongside other household support measures.