Armed Forces Covenant

Chatteris Town Council has acknowledged the importance of the Armed Forces Community by signing up to a special covenant.

Mayor, Cllr Linda Ashley, and Chairman of the Chatteris Royal British Legion, Miss Anne Wells, took part in a joint ceremony on the 28^th February 2023 when they officially signed the Armed Forces Covenant. The ceremony was witnessed by Councillors Julie Smith and Alan Gowler, RBL standard bearers Rob Lake and Jan Baynes and the Armed Forces Covenant Officer at Cambridgeshire County Council, Mr Tommy Kelly.

Mr Kelly had spoken at a leisure meeting of the Town Council and explained the main objectives of the covenant. Namely: i) to be aware there is a hidden community that can be supported through small changes in policy or practice; ii) to demonstrate a commitment to the Armed Forces Community by understanding the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, signing it and making public pledges of support; iii) to be aware of and support the work that is happening at district and county levels.

Mr Kelly explained that there can be disadvantage due to service, including issues around mental or physical health and difficulty with re-integrating back into civilian life. The covenant makes town and parish councils aware of this so they can support former and current members of the Armed Forces and help to signpost them to the help that is available.

Council members agreed it was a worthy cause to sign up to and Mr Kelly set the wheels in motion. The RBL kindly agreed to sign up to a joint covenant as the two organisations work closely together.

The covenant can be viewed here: armed forces covenant

(Photograph courtesy of Tina Prior)