10/12/2015 - Permalink

Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing pledge their support to Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

Related topics: Community / Partner organisations

News from our partners Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing

Covenant Signing 3

Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing (STAR Housing) have officially signed the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant (AFCC), pledging their support to the Armed Forces community.

Signing the Corporate Covenant is a voluntary statement of support to the Armed Forces community. The document complements the Armed Forces Covenant, which sets out a moral obligation between the nation, Armed Forces and the Government.

By signing the Corporate Covenant, STAR Housing are required to offer support in a way which is most appropriate to their organisation.

In pledging their support to the Armed Forces, STAR Housing have committed to:

  • Promoting that they are an Armed Forces-friendly organisation
  • Targeting up to 5% of their properties towards former members of the British Armed Forces each year
  • Supporting the employment of veterans of all ages working with the career transition partnership, and creating a tailored employment pathway for service leavers
  • Supporting any of their staff who choose to be members of the Reserve Forces, accommodating their training and deployment where possible
  • Aiming to actively participate and support Armed Forces Day.

Martin Whitelegg, Senior Neighbourhoods Officer for Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, said:

“As an organisation we’re always looking for new ways we can support our tenants and communities, so we are all excited to have signed the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant and pledging our support to Shropshire’s Armed Forces communities.

“We already have former Armed Forces personnel working for us and living in our properties, so signing the Covenant felt like a natural way to not only demonstrate but further our support to the county’s Armed Forces community.”

Mark Pyle, Senior Supervisory Inspector for Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, said:

“The transition from military to civilian life can be difficult for many veterans, so different levels of support are absolutely needed to make it as easy as possible.

“I feel proud to work for an organisation like STAR Housing that has pledged its support to the Armed Forces community, and it cannot be underestimated.”

The AFCC was established to ensure that those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, face no disadvantage compared to other citizens.

For more information about the Corporate Covenant, go to:-http://shropshire.gov.uk/armed-forces-community-covenant/shropshire-armed-forces-community-covenant/corporate-covenant/

Further Information

Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing are an Arms-Length Management Organisation responsible for the management of Shropshire Council’s 4,200 homes.

2016 will see the completion of 25 new build properties at Rhea Hall in Highley, and Unicorn Road and Maple Avenue in Oswestry. Click here for more information.