Recently I called on Rochester and Strood businesses to follow up the Armed Forces Day celebrations by and signing and committing to the Armed Forces Covenant. I have since been pleased to learn of Medway Council’s recent work and initiatives towards the Covenant which highlight the value and respect owed to our current and former servicemen and women.
Cllr Mike O’Brien has led the Council’s efforts, which included the launch of a dedicated page on their website, www.medway.gov.uk/armedforces, as well as an email address designed for businesses, veterans and those in service to access advice and information.
It is also fantastic that Medway Council, in partnership with Gravesham Borough Council, Shepway District Council and RBLI, has secured Covenant Funding to undertake a survey to discover more about the serving full time, reservist and veteran armed forces communities that live in our communities. This survey will run until 19 August and will help us to ascertain how we can better serve the needs of our armed forces families.
This all comes alongside the pre-existing relationship we all share with our resident Royal Engineers. Previously, Medway’s Children’s Services have linked itself to the Engineer’s welfare service through a dedicated Council officer, who helps families and their children who attend Brompton Children’s Centre and Brompton Westbrook Primary school. I am delighted that the Council has pledged to strengthen these links even further.
Our members and veterans of the Armed Forces sacrifice so much for the defence of our nation and the least we can owe them and their families is the appropriate professional care and respect. I hope that more businesses will continue to follow the examples of others and our local council in pledging to and strengthening their commitments to the Armed Forces Covenant as soon as possible.