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Suffolk Military Covenant. Purpose. This agreement is a voluntary pledge of mutual support between a civilian community and its local armed forces community (serving personnel, their families and veterans):
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Purpose This agreement is a voluntary pledge of mutual support between a civilian community and its local armed forces community (serving personnel, their families and veterans): • to encourage local communities to support the armed forces community in their areas and to nurture public understanding and awareness among the public of issues affecting the armed forces community • to recognise and remember the sacrifices faced by the armed forces community • to encourage activities which help to integrate the armed forces community into local life • to encourage the armed forces community to help and support the wider community, whether through participation in events and joint projects, or other forms of engagement Suffolk signing ceremony – 12 October 2012
Context • Armed Forces Covenant – obligation of the state to its armed forces (especially due to Iraq and Afghanistan) • Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) • Reduction in: manpower, equipment and drawdown of troops in Germany and their return to UK by 2020 • Expectation of Reserves (from 15,000 to 30,000) • Reduction in units moves (more individuals and specialist teams) - units more embedded in community
Foundations Suffolk Military Covenant Commissioner - appointed Suffolk Military Working Group (military units, welfare agencies and charities, local authority representative) Suffolk Military Covenant Task Group(SCC officers and Military representatives) Development of Action Plan(core themes civilian and military)
Communications • Development of a brand ID • Factsheet to explain • Website presence • Fact cards or flyers • Press Releases
Action on the ground - quick wins so far Wattisham Flying Station • Family Support Seminar (organised by SCC Children and Youth Services – December 2012) • Funding advice sessions to groups on or linked to the base • Securing grants and making applications for refurbishment of Stowmarket Scout Hut (£120,000 project) RAF Honington • Families Support and Cohesion Weekend Project - June 2013 (£4,000) • Links to local authority leisure and recreation activities for children and young people • Development advice of Memorial Garden / Wildflower Meadow
Action on the ground - quick wins so far Woodbridge Station Securing MOD grant for a veterans parade event due to take place in June 2013 (£1,000) Securing grants and making applications for a Community Multi-Use Games Area amenity (£81,000 project) Joint Projects Securing MOD grant so local military units can exhibit at the Suffolk Show (£7,000) Research project on sports and recreation amenities on military bases and which community organisations are using them Veterans: Health Services – Clinical Commissioning Group
Initial recommendations Small grant funding pot enable military welfare teams to bid into our community funding schemes where need is evidenced Project Development Teams to support research and development of proposed actions Communicate the covenant to staff and the community Pipeline MOD developing Corporate Covenant