Latest news with #ArmedForcesCovenant
Belfast Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Belfast council rejection of Armed Forces Covenant ‘not procedurally wrong'
DUP councillor who proposed motion says veterans aren't being treated fairly A decision to reject a motion that would have seen Belfast City Council sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant was not wrong on procedural grounds, a legal review has found. The DUP 'called-in' the decision to reject the motion, which is aimed at ensuring no former or serving member of the armed services is disadvantaged compared to other citizens when it comes to the provision of public and commercial services.
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Forest Healthcare Centre, Grace Manor, Latest in the Network to Achieve Veteran Friendly Framework Member Status
05/14/2025, Borehamwood WD6 1EP // PRODIGY: Feature Story // Grace Manor Care Centre, a private 24-hour nursing home in Gillingham that is part of the respected Forest Healthcare network, has confirmed that it has successfully achieved accreditation through the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF). The centre is now able to claim the title of a Veteran Friendly Care Home—the most recent centre in the group to complete the process. The VFF is a collaboration between the Royal British Legion (RBL), the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance, and Royal Star & Garter. Its goal is to encourage care centres to improve health and well-being outcomes for the approximate 25,000 veterans currently living in English care facilities. The Importance of Veteran Friendly Framework Accreditation for Grace Manor Care Centre Forest Healthcare has already committed to becoming VFF accredited across several other of its high-quality care centres. Grace Manor is the latest to concentrate on developing support systems and training resources for carers to ensure the needs, well-being, and happiness of veterans are a focal aspect of personalised care planning. Research conducted by the RBL found that around 8% of all care home residents in England and Wales, excluding partners and spouses, have served and that concerted efforts are needed to ensure they receive acknowledgement and additional support. The charitable organisation has identified challenges associated with varied emotional and physical needs, the impacts of military duties on the lives of older adults, and the key importance of recognising and understanding how best to ensure Armed Forces community members receive acknowledgement, access to community groups, and connection with other veterans. To apply for VFF accreditation, care centres must submit an application demonstrating their adherence with eight standards. They must, for example, provide evidence of provisions that will ensure care home residents with Armed Forces status are recognised and their needs incorporated into care plans, sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, and ensure there are signposting policies in place to connect residents with charitable and statutory support services. Grace Manor Care Centre's Pathway to Achieving VFF Membership While many private care centres may have a proportion of veteran residents, VFF membership was particularly important for Grace Manor Care Centre. The care home is close to several military bases and barracks, past and present, including closed bases such as HMS Pembroke, the Royal Naval Barracks, which opened in 1902 and is now part of the Universities of Medway, and the Royal Marine Barracks based at Gun Wharf Chatham, which closed in 1950. Several other meaningful bases or military installations remain near Grace Manor, including the Royal Engineers Museum located within Kent town and the Royal School of Military Engineering, which has a campus in Brompton built along the remains of the Chatham Dockyard Great Lines and remains active today. Although the veteran proportion of the population in Kent is around the average for England and Wales, there is a high likelihood of dedicated nursing centres in and around these specific areas to welcome residents with an Armed Forces background. Commenting on the application from Grace Manor Care Centre, the VFF mentioned that it was of an 'exceptionally high standard' and represented a commitment to 'forging some meaningful connections' with the local Armed Forces community and healthcare services. Celebrating Veteran Friendly Framework Accreditation at Grace Manor Gabriele Jerome, Manager of Grace Manor said, ' It was wonderful to receive confirmation of our accreditation and our Veteran Friendly Framework Certificate, which is now proudly displayed in the centre. Enormous thanks go to our talented, dedicated, and compassionate care teams, who embraced the opportunity to reinforce and enhance their learning about how best to support our veteran residents and embarked on this project with such enthusiasm. The accreditation process gave us a fantastic chance to access new educational resources, identify local services and communities that can enhance the quality of life for veterans, and look at new ways to ensure Armed Forces status residents are recognised and supported and that their military history is recorded as an integral part of care planning.' Grace Manor Care Centre is one of six Forest Healthcare centres now officially recognised as VFF Friendly. Belmont Lodge in Chigwell, Essex, Ash Court in Camden, London, Bridgeside Lodge in Islington, London, The Poplars in Maidstone, and Pinehurst in Crowthorne, Berkshire, are also featured on the VFF Status Care Home Map published online through the Veteran Friendly Framework. Read more about Forest Healthcare - Forest Healthcare Network's The Grange Care Centre Scoops Prestigious Accolade in Awards About Forest Healthcare Forest Healthcare is an established care provider dedicated to consistently delivering an outstanding quality of life to the residents they serve. With a network of care centres across South-East England, Forest Healthcare specialises in catering to a wide range of care requirements, including; residential, nursing, dementia and specialist care. The organisation's mission is to provide a family feel to the exceptional care they deliver by valuing, respecting and caring for each and every person who lives and works at Forest Healthcare. Media Contact: Chris Salter (020) 7250 0156
South Wales Argus
12-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Nick Smith MP on treatment of veterans and government plans
I was pleased to see so many fantastic events taking place right across Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney, including a powerful and poignant lighting of the beacon event I attended at the Aneurin Bevan Stones in Tredegar. This ceremony was one of a series that saw more than a thousand beacons being lit simultaneously across the whole UK on Thursday night. These events offered a chance to reflect on all those who have served, to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, to reinforce the lessons of the Second World War and to remind ourselves how important the Armed Forces are to our country. Our Labour Government further demonstrated our commitment to supporting our veterans and our Armed Forces Community this week through the announcement of our new VALOUR project. We have 3,052 veterans in Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney and I know that many will be unhappy with the way they have been ignored and disrespected over the last 14 years. The way veterans have been treated is extremely poor and that must change. Through £50m of funding, our aim is to have VALOUR-recognised support centres in every part of the UK, working with health, employment and housing charities as well as service providers and local government to provide tailored local support for veterans. New Regional Field Officers will work with these organisations to share best practice and guidance. This represents a major milestone in delivering our manifesto promise to fully implement the Armed Forces Covenant. Our veterans served with valour and now our VALOUR support network will help ensure we repay them. Last month saw another very successful outing of our Everyone Deserves an Easter campaign. Alongside Gerald Jones MP, I helped put together this project which saw 75 hampers containing all the ingredients for a roast dinner, as well as Easter treats, delivered to families across Blaenau Gwent & Rhymney, including 10 delivered to the Hospice of the Valleys. This project wouldn't be possible without the help of the Ebbw Vale Institute pantry team, the Caerphilly Cares team and the volunteers who came to help pack on the day. Thank you to everyone who lent a hand. Nick Smith is MP for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney.
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kilmarnock FC sign Armed Forces Convenant at poignant ceremony
The club reaffirmed their respect and support for those who serve and have served in the British Armed Forces Kilmarnock Football Club has formally signed the the Armed Forces Covenant, reaffirming the club's long-standing respect and support for the men and women who serve, or have served, in the British Armed Forces. The poignant ceremony took place in the club's 1869 Suite and was attended by representatives of East Ayrshire Council, including Provost Claire Leitch, and several dignitaries from the Armed Forces community. The event was hosted by Club Ambassador Raymond Montgomerie, who welcomed guests with a heartfelt tribute to the club's enduring connection to the Armed Forces, dating back over a century. 'On behalf of all the directors and staff at Kilmarnock Football Club, I'd like to offer you a warm welcome to Rugby Park for this important occasion,' said Montgomerie. 'Signing the Armed Forces Covenant is not just a formality – it's a promise. A promise that this club will stand beside our Armed Forces community, not just in word but in action.' Montgomerie spoke movingly about the club's wartime legacy, recalling how Rugby Park was requisitioned by the government during WWII to serve as a munitions dump, and how the club gave a £1,000 interest-free loan to the war effort – never repaid, but never regretted. 'This club gave more than just players to the front lines,' he said. 'We gave our ground, our resources, our support – and, sadly, we lost some of our own who played for this badge before fighting for their country. That history is not forgotten here. It's part of who we are.' A particularly emotional highlight of the day was the presentation of the Colonel's Certificate, awarded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, to Jock Murdoch, a 99-year-old former Kilmarnock goalkeeper and one of only four surviving Scots Guardsmen from WWII. The award was presented by Eddie Edmonstone, Chairman of the Scots Guards Association, and Colin Downie in honour of Mr Murdoch's exceptional service. 'Jock isn't just a former Killie player – he's a hero,' Montgomerie said. 'At 99 years old, he represents a generation whose courage and resilience shaped our world. It was a true privilege to welcome him back to Rugby Park and to recognise his service.' Guests then moved to the club's Memorial Garden, established in 2021 to honour the former players killed in the World Wars. Rev James McNay, Club Chaplain, led a solemn service before returning to the 1869 Suite for the signing ceremony. The official signing of the Armed Forces Covenant was conducted by Club Directors Billy Bowie, Phyllis Carroll, and Cathy Jamieson, signalling the club's ongoing commitment to supporting veterans, reservists, and their families. Councillor Jim Todd, East Ayrshire Council's Armed Forces Champion and a Royal Navy veteran, emphasised the impact of the Covenant: 'This is about recognition, respect, and responsibility. For far too long, our Armed Forces community served without expecting thanks. The Covenant changes that – and by signing it today, Kilmarnock FC shows what true community leadership looks like.' Montgomerie closed the event with one final reflection: 'We're more than just a football club. We're a part of this town's fabric, and part of its legacy. That includes the proud tradition of service to our country. Today we reaffirm that we don't forget – and we do care.'
Western Telegraph
09-05-2025
- General
- Western Telegraph
War veteran Duncan, 99, lights Tenby's VE Day beacon
Duncan Hilling, who served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in India, Japan and Malaya, led the town's parade from Tudor Square as he rode in style in a World War Two USA Army jeep. After a wheelchair ride up Castle Hill, the former Bren Gun Carrier driver, who now lives in Saundersfoot, had the honour of lighting the Tenby beacon as part of the national chain. Mr Hilling is pictured in the Jeep, flanked by town mayor, Dai Morgan, mayoress Melanie Lewis, mace bearers Denise Cousins and Spike Abbott and town crier Erin Morgan. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) A large crowd gathered on Castle Hill following the parade, and there were stirring scenes as I Vow to Thee My Country was sung ahead of town crier Erin Morgan reading the VE Day tribute before the beacon lighting at 9.30pm. A large crowd gathered on Castle Hill for the ceremony. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) Commemorations in Tenby had begun more than 12 hours earlier with the reading of the VE Day proclamation and the VE Day flag being raised on one of the town wall turrets. A wreath laying ceremony at the town's war memorial was led by the Rector of Tenby, the Rev. Steve Brett. Students from Ysgol Greenhill School pay their respects at the A tribute from the police at the war memorial. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) war memorial. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) Tenby's mayor, Cllr Dai Morgan, laid a wreath on behalf of the town, and a large crowd – including many local schoolchildren – witnessed other organisations pay their respects. The evening parade moves off from Tudor Square. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) These included the Tenby branch of the Royal British legion, Tenby, Saundersfoot and Narberth Police, Ysgol Greenhill School and Tenby Sea Cadets. Mr Hilling lights the Castle Hill beacon. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) Afterwards the Mayor - along with Major Andrew Hamilton - the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise made by the council to ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly. Mr Hilling is pictured with daughter Miranda Davies on the way up to Castle Hill. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography)
