Veterans Outdoors
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 Veterans Outdoors 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 Veterans Outdoors 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
We also pledge the following:
Working to improve the wellbeing of the armed forces community veterans, those still serving and those with a spousal connection with a tailored programme of therapeutic activities, events and courses that recognises that every veteran is an individual and that success for each veteran may look different. Monitoring each veterans wellbeing over set periods helping to guide each individual towards their chosen outcome. Outcomes might include improved confidence, reduced anxiety, the ability to put trauma behind them, the making of new friends, the acquisition of skills for employment or new hobbies. Welcoming and supporting all members of the Armed Forces Community, regardless of race, sex, age or disability to engage with us in safe, secure environments. Signposting veterans who need help beyond our scope to the organisations that can provide it for instance help with issues like housing or finance. Working closely and regularly with clinical referral bodies to make sure the right type of support is offered to all those who need it. Our goal will be sustainable survival skills for life. Employing, where possible, members of the armed forces community or those with an understanding of the issues facing military veterans. Maintaining the highest standards of care, support and monitoring alongside logistical efficiency, financial propriety and pursuit of best practice within our sector of the veterans support landscape.
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.