Armed Forces Covenant

Gold standard employers honoured for supporting Armed Forces

Fourteen organisations from across the wider West Midlands area attended an awards ceremony in Shropshire to receive their Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Awards, recognising their exceptional level of support to the Armed Forces community. Held at Lilleshall House and Gardens in Shropshire – also home to one of the UK’s National Sports Centres and the Royal British Legion’s Battle Back Centre…

Military police support local policing in partnership programme

Serving members of the Royal Military Police (RMP) have joined forces with the South Staffordshire local policing team in a new partnership initiative. Starting on the 19th September, Corporals Katie Butlin and Michael Knapper have embedded with neighbourhood officers in the south of the county. They have been vetted and trained to the same standards as their existing officers and will be part…

Midlands based employers receive coveted Ministry of Defence Award

Twenty six employers from the West Midlands region have been presented with their Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Awards. The West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association’s awards took place on Tuesday 26th September, at the National Memorial Arboretum. The ERS awards were launched in 2014 to recognise employer support for the wider principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. The…

193 organisations awarded gold for support to the Armed Forces

Nearly 200 organisations have been recognised by the UK Government for supporting the Armed Forces community, as they are announced as this year’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award holders. A record high since the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme launched in 2013. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, the highest badge of honour, recognises the positive role that employers play in supporting…

Silver West Midlands employers announced

West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) are very pleased to announce that 26 organisations in their region are confirmed as Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award winners for 2023. This Ministry of Defence award recognises companies for their support to the Armed Forces community, including Reservists, Veterans, spouses, Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers and Cadets. Silver award holders must demonstrate a number…

Interview with an Armed Forces friendly employer

Recent Armed Forces Covenant signatory, The Camping and Caravanning Club, spoke to us about why and how they want to support the Armed Forces community. Can you tell us about your organisation? The Camping and Caravanning Club is a not-for-profit organisation which has grown to over 740,000 members over the last 122 years. We love tent, caravan and motorhome camping and we want…

Staffordshire reaffirms support for Armed Forces community

Staffordshire’s council leaders have joined together to reaffirm their commitment to the county’s Armed Forces community and to encourage other organisations to pledge their support. Leader of Staffordshire County Council, Alan White, along with other council leaders, together with the military, met in Stafford to re-sign the Armed Forces Covenant in February 2023. The Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring those…

‘Going For Gold’ event launches in the West Midlands

On 2nd March 2023, West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association held its first-ever ‘Going for Gold’ event at DRPG’s studios in Worcestershire. Emphasising the importance of the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme, the event aimed to encourage and recognise over 90 corporate organisations, from across their region, that support those who serve in the Armed Forces, veterans and their families. Creative…

Summit Learning Trust pledges their support to the Armed Forces community

On the 7th March Summit Learning Trust hosted a collective Armed Forces Covenant signing event at Solihull Sixth Form College. A total of 10 Armed Forces Covenants were signed by Summit Learning Trust and all eight of their member academies, and South Birmingham SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training).  The event was organised by Summit Learning Trust in collaboration with our Association.  The Summit…

Armed Forces Outreach and supportive Shropshire organisations

Four Shropshire-based organisations publicly committed their support for the Armed Forces community at an outreach event for the Armed Forces and veterans. Run by Shropshire Council, the outreach session welcomed Shrewsbury Men’s Shed, Shropshire Community Leisure Trust and Shropshire Community NHS Trust to sign the Armed Forces Covenant; a voluntary pledge to ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed…