Rushcliffe and Charnwood Borough Council’s commitment to supporting serving and former Armed Forces personnel and their families has been given a golden endorsement for their work in communities across the areas.
The authorities were awarded the Gold Award from the Armed Forces Covenant Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in November that acknowledged the Councils’ awareness of the variety of transferable skills reservists, veterans and current personnel can bring to the civilian workplace.
The Award is the highest accolade given to employers who demonstrate forces-friendly credentials through a rigorous application process, including adjusting HR policies to allow flexibility for reservists and supporting individuals transitioning out of the Armed Forces into a new career.
The accreditation also recognised that both Councils proactively demonstrate that service personnel or those in the Armed Forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as a result of their service. Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Armed Forces Champion Councillor Debbie Mason joined fellow Champion Councillor Hilary Fryer from Charnwood Borough Council at a ceremony at the National Army Museum in London to collect the award.
Councillor Mason said: “We were thrilled to attend and very honoured the Armed Forces Employee Recognition Scheme saw it fit to recognise the strides both Councils have made in ensuring our valued members of the Armed Forces are further integrated into our communities.
“The gold award highlights what great work the respective teams have delivered with initiatives such as Veterans’ breakfast clubs and encouraging social enterprises and businesses to sign the covenant and events. “We also introduced a guaranteed job interview scheme for Veterans and Reservists at the Council and if appointed, a buddy support system helps them settle into their new work place.
“We will continue to do everything we can to support those with a military background and to explore further ways we can assist hard-to-reach veterans and families with the support they may require.” Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nicholas Patrick Carter presented the Councils with the award in the Atrium.
Councillor Hilary Fryer, the Armed Forces Champion for Charnwood Borough Council said: “We were delighted to officially receive the gold award from the Armed Forces Recognition Scheme. “The award acknowledges our successful partnership with Rushcliffe Borough Council and our continued work to support the Armed Forces community.
“We recognise the sacrifices our Armed Forces men and women, and their families make and it’s important to give something back to those who serve their country. The Council is committed to supporting our Armed Forces personnel and the veteran’s community and will continue to do so through the covenant. “I’d like to once again congratulate everyone involved with this fantastic achievement.”