FYLDE BOROUGH COUNCIL ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY COVENANT
On Monday 23rd June 2012, following a flag raising ceremony to mark the start of Armed Forces Week, former council leader Cllr David Eaves signed a covenant between the people of Fylde and the Armed Forces. This was followed by pledges from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, Services Associations, Lancashire Police, NHS, New Fylde Housing and HMP Kirkham to work together for mutual benefit.
PRINCIPLES OF THE ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY COVENANT
- The purpose of the Fylde Covenant is to encourage support for the Armed Forces Community working and residing in Fylde and to recognise and remember the sacrifices made by members of this Armed Forces Community, particularly those who have given the most. This includes in-Service and ex-Service personnel their families and widow(er)s in the Borough of Fylde..
- For Fylde Borough Council and it’s partner organisations, the Covenant presents an opportunity to bring their knowledge, experience and expertise to bear on the provision of 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 Covenant encourages the cultural integration of Service life into civilian life and encourages those who have served, to help their local civil community.
Pledges were made by this Covenant:
To establish A single community point of contact together with the Fylde Borough Council One Stop Shop that leads a self referral welfare pathway for serving and ex-service men and women, their dependents, families, and widowers.
- Working with Housing Associations and other agencies to provide advice and support on housing matters.
- To establish and maintain a close relationship with the Regular and Reserve Forces Unit(s) stationed in Weeton Barracks. To carry out measures to ensure that they are welcomed into Fylde and that Service personnel and their families are supported by all agencies – public, private, voluntary and charity.
- To establish a partnership with employers, specialist employment consultancies and agencies in Fylde Borough that will assist Armed Forces Personnel to make the transition to civilian life.
- To provide external support to former Armed Services personnel in HMP Kirkham and to respond to and co-ordinate any request for assistance.
- To work together with NHS Services to ensure relevant priority treatment to Armed Forces personnel and Veterans.
- Co-ordinate mental health facilities both NHS and private to recognise and treat mental health conditions caused by time in service for serving and retired personnel and their families.
- To promote awareness of the role and significance of the Armed Forces within Fylde Borough by bringing together serving personnel, veterans, youth, schools, local charitable bodies and voluntary organisations.
- To run and co-ordinate events that enhance appreciation of the military ethos, enable fundraising for Services Charities, commemorate service and express gratitude for the commitment and sacrifices made by members of our Armed Forces.
Cllr Edward Nash, a former regular serving officer in the Royal Artillery was appointed Armed Forces Member for Fylde Borough and outside body representative to the Reserve Forces Association.
We have established a “Hub” – Moments Cafe, Wood Street, St Anne’s on the Sea where veterans and those seeking to support veterans can call in. From this hub we are connected to over 100 sources of support.
Contact can be made by telephone 01253 658658, calling in person (opening hours 1030 to 1630 weekdays) or by email, listening@fylde.gov.uk or to Fylde Council, Town Hall, St Annes Road West, St Annes, FY8 1LW.
We are keen to contact all veterans, help with any problems and bring together both serving and former serving members of the Armed Forces and welcome any introductions.
ARMED FORCES WEEK
Armed Forces Week is an established national event in which Fylde Borough plays a local part. In 2020 as in previous years we intend to hold a flag raising ceremony on Monday 22nd June including a Mayoral Reception and presentation of Veterans badges starting at 10am at the Town Hall. Members of the public are welcome to attend this ceremony.
