Armed Forces project is finalist in national award

Council project acknowledged in ‘Soldiering on Awards’

A PROJECT which supports the armed forces community in Charnwood, Rushcliffe and Melton has been selected as a finalist in the national Soldiering on Awards.

The partnership between Charnwood, Rushcliffe and Melton borough councils encourages understanding and awareness of the issues affecting veterans and their families within the local community.

The project has been selected as a finalist in the Working Together category of this year’s The Soldiering on Awards which celebrate the achievements of the military community, by honouring individuals, Veterans, their families and organisations that support the armed forces community.

Coun Hilary Fryer, Armed Forces champion at Charnwood Borough Council said: “It’s excellent for the project to be acknowledged on a national scale and is testament to our partnership with Melton and Rushcliffe.

“We’ve worked together since 2017 to support armed forces personnel across the two counties.

“We’ve ran breakfast clubs, introduced new HR policies and encouraged other organisations and local businesses to sign to covenant. We look forward to continuing to develop our partnership to further support the armed forces community.”

Rushcliffe and Charnwood borough councils also recently received a gold award from The Armed Forces Covenant Employer Scheme (ERS). The Gold Award is the highest badge of honour for organisations which have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and demonstrated outstanding support for those who serve and have served.

Charnwood Borough Council signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2013 and the partnership between the three councils was formed in 2017.

The Covenant recognises that the whole nation has a moral obligation to members of the Armed Forces and their families, and it establishes how they should expect to be treated.

The council also employs an armed forces community covenant development officer, in partnership with Melton and Rushcliffe to help develop and support the armed forces community and ensure that military personal do not face any disadvantage as a result of their service.

The winners of this year’s Soldiering on Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony in April.