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Armed Forces Covenant

Rushcliffe Borough Council is committed to supporting armed forces personnel and veterans as part of the Armed Forces Covenant, a scheme which encourages understanding and awareness of the issues affecting veterans and their families within the local community, and promotes better help and support for existing and ex-Armed Forces personnel and their families.

In 2019 Rushcliffe Borough Council was awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Scheme (ERS) Gold Award which is the highest honour for organisations that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising employers who actively support the Armed Forces Community in their workplace and encourage others to follow their lead. 

More information about the covenant can be found on the Armed Forces Covenant website

If you are a member of armed forces personnel or a veteran living in Rushcliffe and you need support we can signpost you to services. Download our free support guide or contact us by email communitydevelopment@rushcliffe.gov.uk or telephone 0115 9819911.

Rushcliffe Borough Council's Armed Forces Champion is Cllr Jonathan Wheeler. 

Contents

Help for Armed Forces personnel

The Armed Forces Covenant website has a range of information for regulars, reservists, veterans and their families on how the covenant can support you as well as links to useful websites and national services available. 

Local services in Rushcliffe

When you leave the Armed Forces there are some key areas to consider:

  • Housing – Rushcliffe Borough Council provides a range of advice and support including help finding a place to live, benefits and money management - Housing advice and help.

  • Health – There are many ways that you can access local health services. It’s important that you choose the right one to ensure you get the right care, in the right place, first time. Find your nearest GP, Dentist or Optician – NHS Nottingham and Notts Clinical Commissioning Group.

  • Education – Due to multiple postings, children may have to move frequently between schools, and as such, transition arrangements need to be considered.  For details on how to apply for a school place in Rushcliffe – Nottinghamshire County Council Education.

  • Employment – On leaving the armed forces finding employment can be a challenge.  However support and training is available through a range of local sources including Rushcliffe Borough Council Job Fairs, Job Centre Plus, Central College Nottingham, Careers Transition Partnership and The Forces Employment Charity.

  • Royal British Legion - The Royal British Legion provide a wide range of advice and help on all of the above issues for ex-service personnel and their dependants. Visit the Nottinghamshire Royal British Legion web site for details of your nearest branch.

The Service Leaver’s Guide, provided by the MoD, offers detailed information and advice for service personnel who are planning to leave or have left regular service. The Armed Forces Covenant website also provides information about support available to service leavers.

Finding Support

Operation Courage - NHS mental health information and support for veterans, service leavers, reservists, families and carers. 

Veteran's Gateway  - Advice and support for veterans & ex-forces | Veterans' Gateway (veteransgateway.org.uk)

SSAFA - Help with practical, financial and emotional support for service personnel, veterans and their families

Veterans UK - free support for service personnel, veterans and their families, helping them get appropriate support from the Government, local authorities, independent bodies and the charity sector 

RAF Families Federation

Navy Families Federation 

Forces in the Community - a Nottinghamshire based charity 

Defence Employer Recognition Service

Commonly abbreviated to ERS, the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme serves to recognise and reward employers for their support to Reservists, Service Leavers and Spouses, Cadets and Cadet Volunteers. The scheme is the Ministry of Defence’s highest badge of honour for Armed Forces-friendly organisations. Underpinning it all is the Armed Forces Covenant. Like ERS, the Covenant is free to participate in with all pledges tailored to your organisation. The overarching notion is that no member of the Defence community should be disadvantaged in their civilian employment.

There are three tiers to the scheme:

  • Bronze Awards are presented to employers who state their intent to support Defence personnel.
  • Silver Awards are presented to those who then demonstrate their support, with winners celebrated at a prestigious awards ceremony. The process encourages you to consider, challenge and adapt HR policies and practises that help you to gain, retain and maximise the skills of Defence people with your company.
  • Gold Awards are saved for the most extraordinary Armed Forces supporters who build on the above to become advocates for the support of Defence personnel. 

Proudly displaying your instantly-recognisable award will catch the eye of job-seeking Defence personnel while encouraging existing staff members to consider the life and skills-expanding opportunities of the Reserve Forces and Cadets, which all add value to your workplace.

Those who gain an Employer Recognition Scheme Award should proudly display the logo on their website and, crucially, on job advertisements.

How do I apply for an Employer Recognition Scheme Award?

The application process differs for each award:

Advice and Support