Five local councils have joined forces to strengthen the areas local Armed Forces Covenants, which support those who are serving, veterans and their families.
Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, North Lincolnshire Council, North East Lincolnshire Council and Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council have secured £480,000 funding from the Ministry of Defence to form a Sub Regional Armed Forces Covenant Partnership. The funding will enable the local authorities to share good practice, develop training packages and working together to improve the support available for armed forces veterans and their families.
The sub regional partnership will be chaired by Lieutenant Colonel Allan Hinton from 150 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps.
Lt Col Hinton said: The formation of this partnership will ensure a standardised approach across five local authority areas all of which have existing and historical connections to the armed forces.
As the community engagement lead for the region, I will be keen to see the partnership delivering on the commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure that all those who serve our country, past and present, as well as their families, receive the support they deserve.
Tracy Harsley from Hull City Council, who is leading on the partnership, said: We are delighted to have been successful in securing this funding; it will make a significant contribution.
The partnerships work will focus on highlighting services and support available, the creation of a shared training programme that looks at areas like mental health and identifying any gaps in services.
Each of the five local authorities has nominated a champion to support the project and help move it forward.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a Government initiative that pledges that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, will be treated with fairness and respect in the community, economy and society.
Support is provided in areas including:
education and family wellbeing
having a home
starting a new career
access to healthcare
financial assistance
discounted services
For further information about the Armed Forces Covenant, visit www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk