Willow Tree Lodge
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 Willow Tree Lodge 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 Willow Tree Lodge 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
- Additional Leave For Reservists
We also pledge the following:
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Veterans Breakfast and Community Links: continuing our regular Veterans Breakfast as an opportunity for veterans, residents, relatives and members of the local Armed Forces community to meet, share experiences and build friendships. we will seek to develop links With local veterans’ groups, the Royal British Legion, Armed Forces champions and other appropriate community organisations so that residents and staff can be signposted to relevant support.
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National Events and Remembrance: marking significant occasions including Armed Forces Day, Remembrance, VE Day and VJ Day through respectful activities, displays, services, reminiscence and opportunities for residents to share their memories and experiences. We will involve residents in deciding how these occasions are recognised Within the home.
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Staff Awareness and Signposting: increasing awareness among Staff of the Armed Forces Covenant and the needs and experiences of the Armed Forces community. We will share relevant information and signposting resources so staff can help residents, relatives and colleagues access specialist support where appropriate.
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Listening and Reviewing: inviting feedback from residents, relatives, staff and members of the Armed Forces community on our commitments and reviewing our pledges regularly so that our support remains meaningful, achievable and responsive to local needs.
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.