Helping veterans: Council leads the way in providing support
A council is taking steps to ensure veterans and their families receive proper support.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is working with Veterans Commissioner Danny Kinahan and the Northern Ireland Veterans Support Office to help signpost former armed forces personnel to services available to them.
A website page will be dedicated to helping veterans.
It will include advice on finances, housing, legal issues, pensions, mental health and loneliness support.
Paul Michael, the council’s veterans champion, acts as a point of contact for anyone in Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough with issues regarding veterans and will consult with the NIVSC to provide advice and assistance.
Antrim and Newtownabbey mayor Jim Montgomery said: “The Armed Forces Covenant says that ‘Together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives’.
“As a society we must take that obligation seriously, and treat it as a solemn promise.”
Mr Kinahan added: “I am really pleased to see Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council leading the way in providing support to our veterans.
“I look forward to seeing all councils in Northern Ireland doing the same and recognising the immense contribution that our veterans have made on behalf of all of us.”