Armed forces project reaches national award finals

A project which supports the armed forces community in Charnwood 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.

Cllr 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.”

Cllr Debbie Mason, deputy leader and armed forces champion at Rushcliffe Borough Council said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award, recognising our partnership work with both Melton and Charnwood Borough Councils.

“We will continue to do everything we can to support those with a military background and to explore further ways we can assist hard-to-reach veterans and families with the support they may require."

Cllr Alan Pearson, portfolio holder for Housing and Communities at Melton Borough Council said: “Melton Mowbray has a long-standing history with the armed forces and we are incredibly proud to reach this stage of the awards for our continued support of our serving and ex serving military personnel.

“We have been working with our partners to train and develop Armed Forces Champions to ensure resources are in place to support the armed forces and their families in our communities across the borough.

“We look forward to continuing to build upon on our excellent partnership to sustain and continuously improve on the provision available for our armed forces and veteran families.”

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.