GEO Bind & Design
We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.
The Armed Forces Covenant
An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, His Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.
Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.
Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant
1.1 We GEO Bind & Design will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment
2.1 GEO Bind & Design recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- Discounts
- Armed Forces Charities
We also pledge the following:
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Offer a guaranteed interview (rather than guaranteed job) to any Armed Forces Community applicant who meets the basic criteria for a role, if GEO Bind & Design ever recruits.
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Provide informal CV/portfolio feedback or career transition advice to Service leavers interested in design or bookbinding as a second career.
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Offer any member of the Armed Forces Community who wishes to learn any aspect of the services GEO Bind & Design offers, internships and any other practical help and support required.
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Communications, engagement and outreach: We will actively signpost Armed Forces charities, support organisations, and relevant initiatives (such as the Armed Forces Covenant itself) through our website and social media and will engage with local and regional Armed Forces community events where opportunities arise.
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Civic responsibilities: We will support local Armed Forces initiatives and events where practicable, including offering our design and bookbinding skills on a ‘pro bono’ or ‘reduced-cost’ basis for commemorative, remembrance, or veterans’ community projects.
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Any additional commitment the organisation wishes to make: As a business founded and run by a veteran, GEO Bind & Design is committed to championing the value of military skills and experience in civilian enterprise, and to acting as an example of Armed Forces-friendly small business practice within our sector. This will ensure our support for the Armed Forces Community is grounded in current best practice and lived understanding of Service life.
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.