Latest news with #DefenceEmployerRecognitionScheme
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Bolton is supporting the town's - and the country's
Bolton Council has been recognised for its exceptional support of the armed forces community with the awarding of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award. Since its launch in 2014, the Gold Award has become the highest badge of honour for employers that champion veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers and military families in the workplace. The scheme recognises employers who go above and beyond in supporting defence to renew the nation's contract with those who serve or have served. More: 'The report lays bare the immense human suffering' as report published More: Royal Navy veteran searching for borough's war graves to honour fallen comrades More: 'It's in our blood': Bolton veterans celebrate Armed Forces Day 2025 To achieve the Gold Award, employers must: provide at least 10 days' additional paid leave for reservists implement HR policies for veterans and cadet force adult volunteers advocate for defence across their networks and sectors demonstrate sustained commitment well beyond the minimum requirements As well as establishing an internal, cross-council Armed Forces Network for veterans and facilitating events throughout the year to celebrate those who make up the community, the council continues to make sure it meets its responsibilities and actively promotes the Armed Forces Covenant. Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Nick Peel, said: 'We are all incredibly proud to receive the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award. 'This award recognises that we deliver on our promise to honour the service of our armed forces, and that we do what we can to help our veterans, and their families. 'Bolton Council is proud to support the armed forces and make sure those who serve feel respected and looked after.' Cllr Ryan Bamforth, Bolton Council's Armed Forces Champion, said: 'Bolton has always had a strong connection with the armed forces community, and we are immensely proud to accept the Gold Award for the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. 'As someone with 20 years' service in the British Army, I know how important it is that we support our veterans and their families, as well as reservists and everyone involved in the Cadet movement. 'As Bolton Council's Armed Forces Champion I will ensure we keep up this excellent work so all members of the armed forces community feel valued, respected and looked after.'
Scotsman
25-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Leading Scottish hotel group honoured with top award for commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community
One of Scotland's leading hotel groups has received a top honour for its work to support members of the Armed Forces community into employment. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels – which has seven hotels across Scotland, including Peebles Hydro and The Park Hotel in Peebles, Ballachulish Hotel, Isles of Glencoe Hotel and Kingshouse Hotel in the West Highlands and Crieff Hydro Hotel and the Murraypark Hotel in Perthshire – has received the Gold Award in the UK Government's Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). The initiative recognises employers who take active steps towards supporting members of the Armed Forces community – including veterans, cadets, reservists and their families – through inclusive employment practices and active partnership. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Gold Award signifies the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels' growing support and commitment towards supporting people within the armed forces community, having received the Silver Award last year. Stephen Leckie, CEO and Chairman of the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels The group achieved the accolade after meeting several key criteria, including awareness of Armed Forces-friendly policies among staff, supporting service families with flexibility and engaging directly with Reserve and Cadet units through events and ongoing partnerships. Georgia Robertson, who is part of the team dedicated to supporting members of the Armed Forces community within the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, said: 'Achieving the ERS Gold Award is a huge moment for us and something I've been personally proud to work on. 'It reflects not just a formal commitment, but a real and growing culture of respect, inclusion and support for the Armed Forces community. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I've enjoyed attending recent engagement events and speaking directly with cadets and reservists. 'They bring a wide range of skills to the workforce and we're passionate about helping them build fulfilling careers. We look forward to continue growing that support in the years ahead." What's more, as a further demonstration of the Crieff Hydro Family's commitment to the Armed Forces Community, Chairman and CEO Stephen Leckie annually appoints a local cadet to support official public duties in his capacity of Lord-Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross. Not only does this opportunity provide them with valuable career insight, but it also allows them to experience one-on-one mentoring and first-hand hospitality experience in a professional setting. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Stephen Leckie, CEO and Chairman of the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, said: "We are incredibly proud to receive the Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. 'This honour reflects not just our commitment, but the passion and dedication of our team in creating a workplace that values and supports those who serve."
Business News Wales
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Council Retains Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Status
Conwy County Borough Council has retained its Gold Level Award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme acknowledges employers who have provided exceptional support to the Armed Forces community and defence by going above and beyond their Armed Forces Covenant pledges. Through a three tier approach of bronze, silver and gold awards, the scheme recognises the different levels of commitment provided by employers. The achievement was marked at an event at Venue Cymru. Conwy County Borough Council first achieved Gold Level status in 2019, with a requirement for it to be revalidated every five years. Cllr Liz Roberts is Conwy's Armed Forces Champion, leading on issues affecting the Armed Forces community within the Council. She said: 'I'm delighted we've retained the Gold Level Award, this accomplishment highlights our collective efforts in creating an environment that supports and sustains armed forces personnel, veterans and their families and Cadet personnel. 'This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting the armed forces community by advocating on their behalf, and implementing positive human resources policies that prioritise their integration into the workforce. 'We will, as a council and our partners, continue to ensure that those who have served our country receive the support and opportunities they deserve.'
BBC News
05-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Veterans in Cornwall urged to 'speak up' for extra support
Armed forces veterans in Cornwall are being urged to speak up when using health and care services, as a hospital trust is offering extra Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust holds silver Veteran Aware status, which is a programme supporting healthcare providers to understand and meet the needs of the armed forces trust said the service supported veterans with orthopaedic issues through their forces champion and progress coordinator Neill Wilson said: "If we know a patient is a veteran, we can help them in more ways than to provide just medical care." 'Offered him support' The trust said support available included contact with an armed forces champion, as well as connecting them with charities and other voluntary agencies which could support a veteran's ongoing trust, which achieved its Veteran Aware status in 2022, said it had 22 armed forces trust earned its silver award through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, it said. Anthony is one of the veterans who has been helped by the scheme. He served in the Royal Engineers as a his wife died in January 2024, he said he became disengaged from society and neglected his own trust said both Cornwall Housing and adult social care offered him support but he declined and there had been a court order to repossess his home. It said Anthony became an in-patient at one of its hospitals after collapsing at a supermarket. 'Fall through the cracks' Mr Wilson said he was called in to support Anthony and contacted his housing officer to prevent court action. The housing officer managed to find safe, alternative accommodation for Wilson said: "Success is dependent on many factors, such as resources, availability, and funding."Thanks to Anthony's bravery, many civilian and military agencies and charities are now involved with supporting him to ensure that he does not fall through the cracks."
