The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers
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 The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers 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 The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers 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
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Armed Forces Charities
- UK Wounded, Injured And Sick
We also pledge the following:
Promoting the Armed Forces: As a Membership Organisation we will raise awareness and the profile of the Armed Forces and the Armed Forces Covenant with all our members. Encouraging our membership to raise awareness with their respective employers to influence and support across all categories. Through the inclusion of Armed Forces members at our events and the support of service charities in our charitable endeavours. We will also seek to establish a military affiliation with No1 Flying Training School at RAF Shawbury, to further promote our links and support their community. Employment support to members of the Armed Forces Community: although the Fruiterers cannot offer any employment opportunities as there is only one position (currently filled by a veteran), future recruitment will ensure that veterans will be considered if they apply. Communications, engagement and outreach: Wherever possible, we will endeavour to - Support or promote Armed Forces events, such as Armed Forces Day/Week, Reserves Day, the Poppy Appeal and Remembrance activities. - Use the Covenant and Employer Recognition Scheme logos in relevant communications and marketing. - Appoint an Armed Forces Ambassador within our organisation to act as a focal point for organ-ising and promoting support for the Armed Forces Community. - Engage with any local Armed Forces presence. - Develop relationships and work collaboratively with other organisations supporting the Cove-nant and the Armed Forces Community in your locality/region. Commercial: The Fruiterers do not offer any commercial purchasable items, but will invite our Musketeers (former serving senior officers from each service) to our Annual Banquet as our guest, and will invite them to bring with them a senior serving officer from each service. Education: The Fruiterers Awards Council will promote training and further/higher education opportunities for Service leavers, ex-Service personnel and their families, if related to the fruit industry and within the guidelines for Fruiterers Awards. Civic responsibilities: The Fruiterers are responsible for the coordination of the Livery participation in the Remem-brance Sunday Service at St Pauls Cathedral each year and will continue in this role. We will thereby organise, facilitate, promote and take part in remembrance and other ceremonial activi-ties. National Events: Encourage our members to support Armed Forces Day, Reserves Day, the Pop-py Appeal Day and Remembrance activities. Armed Forces Charities: Play an active part in the Lord Mayors Big Curry Lunch which raises funds for the Armed Forces Charities. Encourage our members to support Armed Forces chari-ties with fundraising and supporting staff who volunteer to assist.
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.