Taunton Chamber of Commerce
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 Taunton Chamber of Commerce 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 Taunton Chamber of Commerce 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
- Armed Forces Day
We also pledge the following:
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Taunton Chamber of Commerce is proud to support the Armed Forces community and recognises the significant contribution that serving personnel, veterans and military families make to our local economy and community.
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We support both the event and the Community Interest Company that delivers it by helping to build partnerships, promoting opportunities for sponsorship, volunteering and goods in kind, and raising awareness through our communications channels. Throughout the year, we also champion other initiatives that honour the Armed Forces community, including the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, Remembrance commemorations and local military events, ensuring their importance is recognised across our business network and the wider community.
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We are proud to have a number of veteran led businesses within our membership and are committed to supporting them through networking opportunities, business advice, collaboration and signposting to relevant organisations and services. By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, we hope to encourage more veteran owned businesses and members of the Armed Forces community to engage with the Chamber and benefit from the connections, support and opportunities available through our membership.
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Through our established communications channels, we will continue to promote initiatives and events that recognise and support the Armed Forces community, including Somerset Armed Forces Day, the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, Remembrance activities and other relevant campaigns. We will also actively communicate our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, encouraging our members and the wider business community to understand its importance and consider making their own commitment, leading by example wherever possible.
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Taunton Chamber of Commerce is proud to represent the local business community at civic events that honour the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces. We will continue to attend Remembrance services, flag raising ceremonies and other appropriate commemorative events, demonstrating our respect for those who serve, have served and the families who support them.
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Taunton is a proud military town and home to 40 Commando Royal Marines. The close relationship between the Armed Forces and our community is reflected in the many serving personnel, veterans and military families who live and work locally, as well as in the longstanding respect and support shown by residents, businesses and community organisations alike. Taunton Chamber of Commerce is proud to reflect these values within our own ethos, recognising the invaluable contribution of the Armed Forces community and striving to foster an inclusive, supportive and respectful business environment for all who serve, have served, and the families who stand beside them. By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, we reaffirm our commitment to recognising their service, promoting opportunities for engagement and ensuring that our business community continues to play its part in supporting those who have dedicated themselves to serving our country
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.