Newark and Sherwood District Council recognised for its care of Armed Forces' personnel and veterans having received silver status in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
Newark and Sherwood District Council has been recognised for its covenant and care of Armed Forces' personnel and veterans.
The silver status award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme was announced at a district council policy and finance committee.
The scheme acknowledges employers who support defence personnel, including reservists, veterans, wounded injured and sick, families and cadets.
The Armed Forces covenant, a voluntary agreement signed by councils to encourage locals to develop relationships with the Armed Forces community, was signed by the council in 2013.
The aims of the covenant are to encourage local communities to nurture public understanding and awareness of issues affecting these communities, remember the sacrifices faced by them, and encourage activities which help integrate them into local life, whether through participation in events and joint projects or other forms of engagement.
Keith Girling, committee member, praised the council in its efforts to reach out to members of the Armed Forces community.
"I am proud to be a councillor and achieve the silver Armed Forces award," said Mr Girling.
"It is not just veterans and their families, it is people serving at the moment and people in the reserves and their families. It is more of an armed forces family.
"This is really positive and covers a lot of people. I am really proud we are getting on with it and now will try to get the gold award."
The district council Armed Forces Covenant offers:
- Cadets, breakfast clubs, career transition partnerships.
- Silver award from MOD.
- Made HR changes to make the council more approachable for the veteran community.
- Set up a informal buddy scheme for veterans.
- Preparing interview guidance for community more widely.
- Training for all new starters.
- Advocate more widely for the covenant.
- Recommended review of it at full council.
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