Armed Forces Community Covenant information event

The work of the Shropshire Armed Forces Community Covenant has been highlighted at an event in Shrewsbury.

During 2013, Shropshire Council signed a commitment to support the county’s armed forces through the Armed Forces Community Covenant.

The Covenant has provided the foundation for positive partnership work between the council and the tri-service forces in Shropshire encompassing RAF Shawbury, Clive Barracks at Tern Hill and Copthorne Barracks in Shrewsbury.

A working group, made up of council officers and councillors, the police, fire service and representatives from the armed forces and support groups, is working to remove any potential disadvantages for serving personnel and their families due to their service.

The group is keen to spread the positive message of the covenant – to bring armed forces and civilian communities closer together – as far and wide as possible.

Members of the group are attending various events to talk to people about the covenant, and an information session was held at Shropshire Council’s Shirehall on Tuesday 4 March 2014.

The event was aimed at council staff and councillors – particularly those who support veterans, existing forces personnel or their families – to ensure they were aware of the important work being done by the covenant.

The Royal British Legion were in attendance to talk to staff about what they do and explain how signposting to their service could benefit veterans, and SaBRE (Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers) and the Army Reserves were also available to talk to staff about the work they do to support Reservists.

Councillor Tim Barker, chairman of the working group, said:

“It was a very useful event and everyone who attended was interested to hear about how the covenant is starting to improve things for forces personnel and their families in Shropshire.

“We have a strong military background here in Shropshire and it’s important we continue our work to build links between our armed forces and civilian communities.”

For more information about the Armed Forces Community Covenant, visit the website here.

Picture caption: (from left) Sergeant Colin Gordon, Jane Britton of the Royal British Legion, Councillor Peter Cherrington, Councillor Tim Barker, Squadron Leader Chris Skaife and Squadron Leader Kim Leach.