North East Regional Defence & Security Cluster
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, Her 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 North East Regional Defence & Security Cluster 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 North East Regional Defence & Security Cluster 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
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Armed Forces Charities
- UK Wounded, Injured And Sick
We also pledge the following:
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Provide and/or promote training, such as e-learning, staff on the Armed Forces Community.
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Promote the Armed Forces Covenant, the Defence Recognition Scheme and support for the Armed Forces Community Cluster Members.
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Establish an Armed Forces Network within NERDSC, to enable staff members with an Armed Forces connection to meet and support one another and provide feedback to you as an organisation.
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Appoint an Armed Forces Champion within your organisation to act as a focal point for
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Organising and promoting support for the Armed Forces Community, This will be the Cluster Manager Lesley Hawke.
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Engage with and support local Armed Forces charities, for example by supporting their fundraising activities.
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Provide support to the Armed support networks (such as mornings, breakfast dubs) for veterans and other members Of the Armed Forces Community.
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Engage with any local Armed Forces presence — for example, local Army units, reservist units, RAF stations and/or naval bases.
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Develop relationships and work collaboratively with other organisations supporting Covenant and the Armed Forces Community in your locality/region.
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Promote awareness Of housing and homelessness services among Armed Forces Community.
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Support and promote the wellbeing of Service children, recognising the particular experiences and challenges they may face.
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Promote training and further/higher education opportunities for Service leavers, ex-Service and their families.
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Organise, facilitate, promote and/or take part remembrance and Other ceremonial activities.
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We will use our convening power to champion the Armed Forces Covenant across our member organisations, encouraging universities, prime contractors, SMEs, and public sector partners to adopt Forces-friendly policies and practices.
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We will collaborate with regional universities, employers, and innovation bodies to enhance access to education, training, and the recognition of skills and experience for Veterans, service leavers, reservists, and military families.
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We will ensure our programmes, events, and collaborative initiatives are inclusive and accessible the Armed Forces community, including veteran-led SMEs and reservists contributing to defence and security innovation.
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We recognise and celebrate the contribution Of the Armed Forces community across the region. supporting key national events and showcasing good practice demonstrated by our partners and stakeholders.
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We will appoint an Armed Forces Champion within the Cluster to oversee delivery of these commitments, engage with the Armed Forces community. and provide updates on progress to our members.
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.