Sandwell Council up for top award for armed forces support

The Tipton branch of the legion is presenting its main award for an outstanding provider to Sandwell Council.

Sandwell’s Armed Forces Covenant has been recognised by the legion for the work it does to help servicemen and women in the borough.

Bal Dhillon, project officer in Sandwell's communities team, will be presented with the Fred Perry Shield at the branch’s annual award ceremony tonight (THURS) at 7.30pm.

The council, which last year secured a £92,000 bid for a Covenant grant to support armed forces leavers and their families, has already picked up Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award.

It was given the silver award for its support of defence personnel in line with the Armed Forces Covenant.

The award acknowledged the council’s initiatives including employing reservists and service leavers, providing advice on housing, leisure discounts, schools and learning, jobs and volunteering, welfare and financial support and health.

Sandwell Mayor, Councillor Julie Webb, said: “Sandwell is proud to support the armed forces and the council is delighted to be recognised with the Fred Perry Shield.”

Last year, Sandwell Council pledged its ongoing support for people who serve or have served in the armed forces and their families.

The council and Ministry of Defence signed a new covenant, which commits Sandwell to supporting the armed forces community.

The Armed Forces Covenant recognises “the value serving personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country”.

The council encourages local businesses, community groups and individuals to pledge their support too.

Visit the armed forces webpage at www.sandwell.gov.uk/armedforces to find out more.

The page has advice on housing, leisure discounts, schools and learning, jobs and volunteering, welfare and financial support and health.

The key aims of the covenant are to ensure no member of the armed forces community faces disadvantage when accessing local services and that special treatment is considered where appropriate, especially for the injured and bereaved.

The Mayor of Sandwell chairs a partnership board, which meets every three months to make sure the aims of the covenant are being followed.

If you would like to pledge your support to the Sandwell Armed Forces Community Covenant, please call Bal Dhillon on 0121 569 5177 or email bal_dhillon@sandwell.gov.uk.

Your pledge will then be added to the covenant book of support.