Mindful Step C.I.C
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 Mindful Step C.I.C 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 Mindful Step C.I.C 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:
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Charities
- Additional Leave For Reservists
We also pledge the following:
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Promote our support for the Armed Forces Community through our website, events, partnerships, fundraising and other communications.
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Raise awareness of the contribution made by serving personnel, Reservists, veterans, the cadet movement and military families.
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Challenge misconceptions surrounding veterans and mental health, while highlighting the skills, resilience, experience and contribution veterans continue to make within their communities.
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Encourage organisations that work with or support MindfulStep to understand the Armed Forces Covenant and the importance of fair treatment for the Armed Forces Community.
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Listen to the Armed Forces Community and use feedback to shape our activities, partnerships and future development.
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Health and wellbeing: Continue to provide non-clinical, nature-based and activity-led opportunities for veterans and families, including walking, cycling, outdoor challenges, camping and Other shared activities that encourage camaraderie, purpose and social connection.
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Recognise the particular challenges faced by veterans living with mental health difficulties, including PTSD and Complex PTSD, and provide a welcoming, non-judgemental environment in which there is no pressure to discuss personal experiences or mental health.
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Recognise that the effects of military service and poor mental health can extend beyond the individual veteran to partners and families, and continue to develop opportunities for partners and family members to connect with people who understand those challenges. Maintain clear boundaries around our role. MindfulStep does not replace clinical or professional mental health services; where appropriate, we will encourage and signpost veterans and families towards suitable specialist support.
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Supporting veterans and military families: Provide activities that allow connection to develop naturally through shared experience, humour, camaraderie and time outdoors. Aim to create a place where veterans and family members can be themselves without feeling they have to explain their military background or wear a mask.
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Support people at their own pace and respect that not everyone will want to talk about their experiences.
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Where a person’s needs fall outside MindfulStep’s role or expertise, signpost them towards appropriate specialist organisations and services.
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.