Council gives update on work to support veterans and Armed Forces community
Elected members of East Ayrshire Council received an update at the Council meeting this week on work that has been taken forward to support veterans and the armed forces community across East Ayrshire through the Armed Forces Community Covenant.
Along with North and South Ayrshire Councils, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and other key stakeholders, East Ayrshire Council has been a signatory to the Ayrshire Armed Forces Community Covenant since it was first introduced in 2012. The Covenant is a statement of mutual support between civilian communities and the local armed forces community, including veterans.
With Ayrshire proportionately having one of the highest numbers of people with armed forces experience of any part of Scotland, the Covenant aims to encourage support for the armed forces community working and living in our area and to recognise and remember the sacrifices made by so many.
One of the key activities that the Council and its partners currently support is the Veterans and Armed Forces Group. Established by the Council in 2016, the group is chaired by Provost Jim Todd in his capacity as Veterans and Armed Forces Champion. The Group, that also includes Councillor Sally Cogley as the Depute Veterans and Armed Forces Champion, provides a forum to consider any area of support that can be improved for veterans and the armed forces community, and brings together representatives from a range of Council services, the Health and Social Care Partnership, partners, voluntary organisations and charities including SSAFA, the Royal British Legion, and Veterans First Point Ayrshire.
In addition to this group, the Council’s Health and Social Care Partnership, Housing Service, Vibrant Communities, Employability Service, People and Culture Service and Facilities and Property Management all provide support to veterans and the armed forces community in relation to issues such as mental health; securing appropriate housing; jobs, training and further education; literacy and learning skills support, and the delivery of a Veterans and Armed Forces Breakfast Club in partnership with the local branch of the Royal British Legion.
In 2022, the UK Government published Statutory Guidance to support public bodies to fulfil their obligations in respect of the Covenant Duty. This new guidance has been reviewed against the commitments contained within the Ayrshire Armed Forces Community Covenant and there are no areas where the statutory duty is not being met. Where any areas have been identified that can be further strengthened, these will be considered by the Council’s Veterans and Armed Forces Group with input from services and partners as required.
Provost Jim Todd said: “I have had the pleasure of attending many events in support of our veterans and armed forces community including our annual Armed Forces and Merchant Navy Days flag raising events, Remembrance Day ceremonies, Veterans Champions Scotland Conferences and Veterans Roadshows to name just a few. It is always an honour to attend these events and to be able to recognise and thank all of those who have sacrificed so much.
“The Council will continue to strengthen its commitment as set out in the Armed Forces Community Covenant and to work with our partners to keep on improving the services we provide.”
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