Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant 

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise that together we acknowledge and understand that those who Serve or have Served in the Armed Forces, and their families, including the bereaved, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives.

Its two principles are that, recognising the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the Armed Forces:

• 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.

The Covenant for Telford & Wrekin Council was originally signed in 2012 and updated regularly since the last signing in May 2020.

Who is involved?

The inaugural Telford & Wrekin Strategic Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board meeting was held on Friday 19 July 2013 at Addenbrooke House, Telford.  The meeting brought together the signatories of the Covenant and a number of other interested parties to agree a path to meet the aims of the Covenant locally.

The first meeting agreed the positions of Chair and Vice Chair of the Partnership. They have responsibility for driving development of the Covenant and measures within the borough.

• Chair: Councillor Derek White, Telford & Wrekin Armed Forces Champion
• Vice-Chair: Councillor Raj Mehta, Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Armed Forces Covenant.

The partnership has representation from:

• Army Welfare Service - Donnington.
• Department of Work and Pensions.
• HQ 11th Signal & West Midlands Brigade.
• Royal Air Force Association.
• Royal Naval Association.
• Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
• Shropshire Royal Marines Association.
• Shropshire Royal Navy Association.
• SSAFA.
• Telford & Wrekin Council.
• Telford and Wrekin Council for the Voluntary Sector.
• The Royal British Legion.
• West Mercia Police.
• Wrekin Housing Group.
• Walking with the Wounded.
• Blind Veterans.
• Combat Stress.
• British Red Cross.
• Citizens Advice.
• Landau.
• Pertemps.
• Telford Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Clubs.
• Mind Telford.
• Taking Part.
• Telford Woods
• Carers Centre (part of Telford & Wrekin CVS).
• Age UK.
• Donnington Community Hub.
• Energize Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.
• Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group.
• Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust.
• Telford Samaritans.
• Royal Yeomanry.

If you have any questions or would like to become part of the Covenant Partnership and help to progress its aims and objectives please get in touch by calling 01952 384772 or email armedforcescovenant@telford.gov.uk.

As well as facilitating the partnership, in July 2020 Telford & Wrekin Council was awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, under the Ministry of Defence's Employer Recognition Scheme, as a reflection of their ongoing commitment as an Armed Forces friendly employer.

The new Armed Forces Covenant Duty

The Covenant Duty is a legal obligation on certain public bodies to 'have due regard' to the principles of the Covenant, and requires conscious consideration of the needs of the Armed Forces community when accessing healthcare, housing and schools. The legislation was introduced as part of the Armed Forces Act 2021.

Who is the new Duty aiming to help?

The Duty is here to help a range of individuals in the Armed Forces community, which includes Service people (including Regulars and Reserves), veterans and members of their family.

How does the Duty work?

The Duty will raise awareness among organisations that provide services in healthcare, education, and housing of how military life can impact on the Armed Forces community, and in some instances disadvantages that can arise when members of that community seek to access key local services.  Organisations such as NHS trusts, local councils, schools and academies will need to ensure anyone from the Armed Forces community receives a fairer assessment when their cases are considered and that special provision may be justified in some circumstances, in particular those who have sacrificed the most, such as the bereaved and the injured.

What are we doing?

Telford & Wrekin Council is working closely with local partners and statutory providers to ensure that no member of our local Armed Forces community faces disadvantage. We also facilitate Telford & Wrekin's Strategic Armed Forces Covenant Partnership that works to consider the issues facing the local Armed Forces community and any support that is required to meet their needs.

Contact us

If you would like to know about the work of the Partnership, please contact armedforcescovenant@telford.gov.uk.

Last updated: 18/02/2025 14:58