Tewkesbury Borough Council has reaffirmed its support for the country’s Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
First published in 2011, the covenant is a statement of the moral obligation which exists between the nation, the government and the armed forces. Local authorities and businesses up and down the country have put their signatures to it, committing themselves to ensuring that both serving and former members of the armed forces, and their families, are treated with fairness and respect in all aspects of their lives.
The many signatories across Gloucestershire include county, borough, city, town and parish councils, Gloucestershire NHS, Gloucestershire Police, The Royal British Legion, and Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association. They have all agreed to work together to honour the covenant by supporting the nation’s service men and women and their families.
The covenant focuses on helping members of the armed forces community access government and commercial services and products. Support is provided in several areas, including:
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Education and family well-being
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Having a home
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Starting a new career
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Access to healthcare
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Financial assistance
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Discounted services
Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Richard Stanley, signed the covenant on behalf of the council.
Councillor Stanley said: “It was an honour to sign the covenant on behalf of Tewkesbury Borough Council, reaffirming our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
“We owe our past and present armed forces personnel an enormous debt of gratitude for their tireless work in recent years both here in the UK and abroad, from their invaluable assistance throughout the Covid epidemic, to cooperating with our allies to help promote peace and security around the world.”
More information on Gloucestershire’s role in the Armed Forces Covenant can be found at:
gloucestershire.gov.uk/your-community/the-armed-forces-covenant/
