West Norfolk secures highest award recognising support for local Armed Forces Community

The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge to acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the community, economy and society.

West Norfolk is a long-standing signatory of the Covenant and the related Employer Recognition Scheme, providing support and guidance in a number of areas. Several council employees are members of the Armed Forces Community, including active reservists.

Having previously held a Siver Award, the council has successfully achieved a Gold Award, recognising its support for the Armed Forces Community and the dedicated employment-related support it gives to colleagues who are reservists and people leaving the forces who need help securing job roles or training.

The announcement has been welcomed by the Borough's Mayor, Councillor Steve Bearshaw, who has 29 years of service in the RAF and is a Norfolk Armed Forces Covenant Board Member, as part of his role as the Borough's Armed Forces Member Champion. He said:

"We are immensely proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. As a long-serving member of the RAF, I am genuinely excited to achieve the Gold Award because it's national recognition of our active support for our incredible local Armed Forces and Veteran Community who contribute so much to life in the borough.

"Signing the Armed Forces Covenant is something many organisations can do, you can tailor it to your organisation, and it's a great way for businesses, community groups, public bodies and other organisations to show their mutual support for our serving Armed Forces personnel, reservists, veterans, cadets and their families."

Kate Blakemore, the borough council's Chief Executive, added:

"In West Norfolk, we are proud to be home to RAF Marham and to have a number of reservists among our own community of colleagues who alongside delivering vital council services also play their part in the defence of our nation.

"We have support in place for our Armed Forces Community and I would like to recognise and thank all those who contributed to achieving the Gold Award, something that relatively few councils nationally have achieved."

Group Captain Leonie Boyd, until recently the RAF Marham Station Commander, said:

"Congratulations to the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk on achieving a Gold Award in recognition of their outstanding support for the local Armed Forces Community through the Armed Forces Covenant.

"This is a fantastic achievement and a true reflection of the borough council's dedication to those who serve, have served, and their families. RAF Marham greatly appreciates the continued commitment of the borough council and the wider local community, whose support plays a vital role in assisting the station in its delivery of defence.

"The strong relationship between RAF Marham and the local community is something we are incredibly proud of, and this award is a wonderful testament to the spirit of partnership that exists between us."

Businesses, parish or town councils, and other organisations seeking to demonstrate their support for the armed forces community are invited to make a voluntary pledge under the Covenant, which can be adapted to suit the specific organisation. This could include commitments like:

• Promoting the business as an armed forces-friendly organisation
• Aiming to actively participate in Armed Forces Day
• Supporting the employment of veterans young and old
• Supporting employees who choose to be members of the reserve forces
• Employing service spouses and partners and endeavouring to offer flexibility in granting leave related to a partner's deployment
• Offering support to local cadet units
• Offering discounts to members of the armed forces community

Interested organisations can discover more and find pledge templates on the council website. Visit www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk for more about the Armed Forces Covenant. If you require further guidance about signing the Covenant, your pledge or the process, please email [email protected].