COUNTY council chiefs have reaffirmed their support to the Armed Forces Community, this time as a forces-friendly employer.
At a virtual event hosted by the Ministry of Defence West Midlands Employer Engagement Team, Coun Bob Brookes, the Council’s current chairman, and Chief Executive Paul Robinson signed the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of Worcestershire County Council.
Signing on behalf of the MOD was the Commanding Officer of 37 Signal Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Longcake.
Signing the covenant shows that as an organisation the County Council values and recognises the wide range of unique skills and experiences that reservists and veterans can bring to an organisation.
Mr Robinson said: “It’s been an honour to represent the County Council at the signing event. It has created a highlight for this year, to be able to take a moment and acknowledge the fantastic contribution they make to our organisation, the county and nationally.
“Signing this document demonstrates our commitment to members of the Armed Forces community who not only work at Worcestershire County Council but those who access our services.
“As an employer, we have staff who are currently serving in the Reserves, volunteers who work with the Cadet Forces and other members of staff who have a strong family connection to those who are serving or have served. We welcome the outstanding contribution they make not only to their country, but the unique skills set they bring to our organisation.”
Coun Brookes said: “I have a strong family connection to the Armed Forces and I’m really proud of the commitment that the County Council has made today. As a county and through our work with Worcestershire’s Armed Forces Covenant Partnership, we are able to help remove barriers to those with an Armed Forces background who need our help.
“It is vital that the Armed Forces community has fair access to our services as a local authority and that we do all we can to ensure they are not disadvantaged because of the unique aspects of their Service careers, particularly when they return to civilian life.
“We do this by working closely with our statutory services, healthcare providers, district councils and the military charity sector to improve awareness and understanding, and by working together to help eradicate any issues effecting the armed forces, both serving and the veteran community”.
Worcestershire as a county signed the Armed Forces Covenant back in 2012. Since then, Worcestershire County Council has facilitated and administrated an active Armed Forces Covenant Partnership.
The Partnership works collaboratively with stakeholders to strengthen local delivery of the Covenant, and in particular, to support Worcestershire’s 20,000 veterans, some of whom may experience problems either in transition or future years.
Worcestershire’s Here2Help campaign ensured there was dedicated support for our veteran community at the beginning of the pandemic and by combining forces with our local military charities.
