Introduction
Supporting our Armed Forces Community
In 2016, we pledged to ensure our armed forces community is not disadvantaged in accessing our services and their day-to-day lives. The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation to those who serve or have served and their families, which says we will do all we can to ensure they are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their daily lives.
We've put together some helpful information to help both current and former members of the Armed Forces locate particular services.
Find information on applying for housing, starting your own business, accessing local services, and much more.
Principals of the Covenant
The Armed Forces Community Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces Community. It is intended to complement the Armed Forces Covenant, which outlines the moral obligation between the Nation, the Government and the Armed Forces at the local level.
The purpose of this Community Covenant is to encourage support for the Armed Forces Community working and residing in Gravesham and to recognise and remember the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces Community, particularly those who have given the most. This includes serving Service personnel and Service veterans, their families, and their widow(er)s in Gravesham.
For Gravesham Borough Council, the Community Covenant presents an opportunity to bring its knowledge, experience and expertise to bear on providing help and advice to members of the Armed Forces Community. It also presents an opportunity to build upon existing good work on other initiatives.
For the Armed Forces Community, the Community Covenant encourages the integration of Service life into civilian life and encourages members of the Armed Forces Community to help their local community.
Aims of the Covenant
The Armed Forces Community Covenant complements the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which defines the enduring general principles that should govern the relationship between the Nation, the Government and the Armed Forces Community.
It aims to encourage all parties within a community to offer support to the local Armed Forces Community and make it easier for Service personnel, families and veterans to access the help and support available from the MOD, statutory providers and the Charitable and Voluntary Sector. These organisations already work together in partnership at the local level.
The scheme is intended to be a two-way arrangement. Members of the Armed Forces Community are encouraged to do as much as they can to support their community and promote activity that integrates the Service community into civilian life.
Employer recognition scheme
Awarded Silver for support to the Armed Forces community
We were awarded Silver along with 48 organisations in the South East in recognition of the support provided to Reservists, Veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, spouses/partners and the wider Armed Forces community.
As part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, our HR team have worked hard to develop enhanced benefits and support for employees who are Veterans, Reservists, and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, as well as spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.