Future of Armed Forces support to be discussed in conference

Wiltshire Council will host seven other local authorities planning future support for the Armed Forces community at a major conference.

The council is one of eight local authorities in the south west which have worked together on a range of initiatives to raise awareness and promote understanding to benefit military communities.

On Friday, November 30 they will come together to discuss the work so far and debate proposals to provide support into the future as Wiltshire Council hosts the first South West Regional Armed Forces Covenant Champions Conference at the Garrison Theatre in Tidworth.

Representatives from the region’s local authority partnership that are committed to the Armed Forces Covenant project, along with their MOD and military charity counterparts, will attend.

The local authorities successfully bid for £190,000 in 2016 to fund a range of measures. They additionally received £150,000 this spring to fund a mobile hub and digital service next year.

Baroness Scott, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We owe so much to those who served or are serving in our Armed Forces.

“The Armed Forces Covenant commits us all to demonstrating our thanks with actions and initiatives that support them in their daily lives. This conference will be a key moment to view progress so far and map out how we take that commitment into the future.”

Other local authorities involved in the project are Bristol City, Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth City, Gloucestershire, Somerset and North Somerset Councils. The partnership has worked to identify gaps and improve the delivery of services to the military through greater collaboration of public and charitable and organisations.

The approach echoes the aspirations of the Armed Forces Covenant which was reaffirmed in Wiltshire in 2017. It ensures that the council, businesses and public and voluntary sector organisations work with the military to provide help and advice to the Armed Forces Community.