Shadow minister learns about county’s support for Armed Forces community
With Census 2021 results revealing that one in 10 Shropshire households have one or more resident who has served in the Armed Forces, we are sharing the work we do to support that community.
Shropshire Council’s deputy Leader and Armed Forces champion Ian Nellins hosted a meeting with the Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard, members of Shropshire Council’s Armed Forces Covenant team and veterans.
They were also joined by Lt Col Carl Meyer, who is an orthopaedic consultant at Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen, and the lead consultant for the new Headley Court Veterans Orthopaedic Centre at the site.
Shropshire Council veterans hub co-ordinator Sarah Kerr, and some of the veterans who talked to Luke Pollard, Shadow Minister for the Armed Forces, about the support they receive from Shropshire Council.
The meeting, held at Shropshire Council’s Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury, showcased the best practices of outreach work and health care offered to the Armed Forces community across Shropshire.
The council has been signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant for more than 10 years, which demonstrates it is an Armed Forces-friendly organisation, supports veterans, service spouses and partners, reservists, and cadet organisations. Armed Forces Covenant also supports a number of local and national events: examples include Armed Forces Day, Military Match Day, Remembrance Day, and covenant signings.
Shropshire Council has recently had its Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award re-validated. This demonstrates the council’s commitment to supporting its workforce, as well as the wider Armed Forces community.
The Shropshire Armed Forces Covenant has also formed close links with several businesses, charities and organisations across Shropshire, many of whom have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to demonstrate their support.
Shropshire Council’s Armed Forces Outreach programme provides wraparound support for the veteran/ military community in Shropshire and beyond. The team provides information, advice and guidance, working with a number of the service charities to ensure that military personnel, veterans and their families are offered the help and support they deserve.
Ian Nellins said:-
“Shropshire has three major military units with the Royal Irish Regiment 1st Battalion at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill, and RAF Stations at Cosford and Shawbury; and Census 2021 showed that in Shropshire there were 13,800 households (10% of all households) with one or more people who had served in the UK Armed Forces. This compares to 7% of all households in England and Wales.
“In fact, three of Shropshire Council’s Cabinet members are veterans, and three more come from veterans families. The census has shown that we have a larger than average Armed Forces community in the county, and that is something Shropshire Council recognises and actively addresses.
“The work of Shropshire Council’s Outreach group is invaluable, and as an organisation we are delighted to have had our Armed Forces Covenant gold standard employer award reaccredited.
“We were pleased Luke Pollard asked to come and find out more about our activities in Shropshire and for the opportunity to showcase the excellent work, of which we are all extremely proud.”
