 ARMED FORCES DAY 2019
Staffordshire County Council, supported by members of the Staffordshire Armed Forces Covenant partnership, held a series of activities in the run up to Armed Forces Day on Saturday 29 June. The celebrations began on Monday 24 June marked by Staffordshire County Council flying the Armed Forces flag from County Buildings in Stafford.
A series of information events, music performances, family activities and a town centre shop front competition were also held in Stafford, you can read more about them below.
Soldiers read stories to Staffordshire children
Soldiers from Beacon Barracks, MOD Stafford delivered a special, story-telling event for children at Stafford Library on Friday 28 June.
The event, at Staffordshire Place 1 was one of many activities organised by Staffordshire County Council in the run-up to Armed Forces Day.
Two soldiers from 22 Signal Regiment held a story-telling session for toddlers.
Lance Corporal Aman Jarga Magar from 248 Gurkha Signal Squadron and Private Faith Darby from Support Squadron read ‘The Cow that Climbed a Tree’ by Gemma Merino, ‘Again’ by Emily Gravett and ‘Kitchen Disco’ by Clare Foges & Al Murphy.
Major Gary Middleton, 22 Signal Regiment, Support Squadron, said:
“Armed Forces Day is all about connecting local communities with the Armed Forces and an opportunity for soldiers to meet local people, even very young ones!
“Our two soldiers loved meeting and reading stories to the children. It was definitely something very different to their normal duties back at barracks or on exercises.”
Gill Heath, Cabinet Member for Communities at Staffordshire County Council said:
“Our libraries are committed to supporting our armed forces personnel and their families and it was wonderful to have the soldiers in reading to the children. Libraries continue to be hubs in local communities for everyone and we are always looking to put on new activities just like this.”
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Make Some Noise supporting the Armed Forces
Make Some Noise celebrated four years of music and movement sessions for Armed Forces families during Armed Forces Day celebrations. Free Upbeat music sessions for families with toddlers took place in Staffordshire Place on 28 June.
Make Some Noise have been supported by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund and provide their Upbeat music sessions for forces families at MOD Stafford, on 28 June they formalised their commitment to forces families by signing the Covenant.
Programme Development Officer for MSN Cat Crown "We have been thrilled with the uptake of Upbeat in Stafford, and are proud to support the Covenant going forward.
Upbeat is a fantastic way for children to learn through music and movement and for families to come together with activity that is fun – we hope to continue this fun for forces families for years to come."
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Military themed window displays
Retailers and businesses were encouraged to create military themed window displays to celebrate Armed Forces Day and raise awareness of the Armed Forces Covenant.
The prize for the best dressed Armed Forces themed window display was awarded to Stafford Railway Building Society who also held a military themed cake sale.
Runners up were the indoor market whose soldier wall art was on loan from Sharpe Metal Work Designs (pictured). IFix the smartphone and tablet repair and protection service in Crabbery Street, Stafford were also runner up.
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SSAFA provide advice and guidance
SSAFA were in Staffordshire Place ahead of Armed Forces Day to provide advice and guidance.
SSAFA provides lifelong support to serving men and women and veterans from the British Armed Forces and their families and dependents. Anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force and their families, both regulars and reserves, is eligible for their help.
Kathy Munslow, SSAFA's Divisional Secretary for Stafford, Newcaste and Maer pictured.
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Organisations sign the Covenant
In June, along with Make Some Noise, other organisations formalised their commitment to the Armed Forces community by signing a Covenant.
The six Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have all signed up to all of the pledges. Most of the CCGs had previously signed the Staffordshire Community Covenant back in 2015, but owing to the six CCGs now working much closer together, the six Clinical Chairs and Governing Bodies all agreed to come together and register for the national version as well. Details are available on each CCG’s website.
Alive Network also signed the Covenant in June, they are the UK's biggest and best-loved entertainment agency, helping over 10,000 clients each year hire live music, entertainers, and suppliers for their events. From weddings to private parties, to corporate and mIlitary events.
For 20 years the company has supported many local charities and new music talent. Alive’s recording studio, The Silk Mill is a beacon for both established and upcoming artists, providing free studio time, production services and advice to help young artists launch their careers.
Most recently, as part of its close relationship with the military, Alive has partnered with Armed Forces charity SSAFA, donating 10% of its fee from Military bookings to support the charity’s work helping veterans, those serving, and their families.
For more informaton visit www.alivenetwork.com and https://www.alivenetwork.com/military-entertainment
MOD Stafford Community Garden
On 3rd July the Community Garden in the area known locally on MOD Stafford as the Ancient Orchard was opened. The Orchard dates back to the Second World War when living off the land was essential.
The Community Garden provides an area for all MOD Stafford personnel from different units and departments to come together, to take their breaks and sit and relax. People are encouraged to get active by volunteering to contribute to its maintenance, cutting the grass, tending the raised flower beds, collecting the fruit in season, to contribute to health and well-being.
The opening event brought together the many volunteers and stakeholders of the Community Garden providing an opportunity to raise awareness of a fantastic environment that is a natural retreat on the doorstep of the many people within MOD Stafford.
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The Armed Forces Covenant Fund supported the development of three mosaics within the grounds, they are an attractive reminder of the centenary of World War 1, the RAF 100, the wildlife within the barracks and the uniqueness of the local community.
The Community Garden has a potting shed, raised flower beds, a new pathway running throughout the orchard, seating areas and is the start of a longer-term project that will be enjoyed for years to come for the benefit of all at MOD Stafford. The Station thanked those involved and the kind generosity of the various welfare funds, not least the Covenant Fund.
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SSAFA military information day
SSAFA Staffordshire is holding a military information day on 14th September 10am to 3pm at The Crown Hotel, Stone, ST15 8AS.
Regulars, reserves, veterans and their families and friends are more than welcome.
Come and meet the armed forces charity that is here for you and your family.
Contact SSAFA on: 01785 212680 or 07935 152590.
Prime Minister creates new Office for Veterans' Affairs
The Prime Minister has created a new Office for Veterans' Affairs to provide lifelong support to military personnel to be overseen by Minister for the Cabinet Office Oliver Dowden, and MoD and Cabinet Office Minister Johnny Mercer.
This is the first time that veterans’ affairs will be overseen by dedicated ministers in the Cabinet Office to ensure the whole of government pulls together to deliver the life-long support veterans deserve.
The Office will work with departments to coordinate and drive government policy on veterans’ welfare, spanning mental and physical health, education and employment. The head of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs will report jointly to both Ministers.
Oliver Dowden and Johnny Mercer will immediately begin work to establish the structure of the new Office, reporting progress to the Prime Minister by 30th September.
In addition, Oliver Dowden will jointly chair the Ministerial Covenant and Veterans Board with the Defence Secretary, to ensure no veteran is disadvantaged because of their service.
Covenant Fund
The following programmes are open for applications:
The Positive Pathways Programme will fund projects that develop and run activities that support the mental health and wellbeing of ex-forces. Submission dates 6th September 2019, 30th November 2019 and 6th March 2020.
Local Grants of up to £20,000 are available for local projects which create strong links between the Armed Forces community and civilian communities and/or provide local support services. Applications must be submitted by 9th September.
Removing Barriers to Family Life (medium grants) will award grants to charities and CICs with substantial experience in supporting Armed Forces Families and to Armed Forces Units. Submission by 12th September 2019.
The Veterans Community Centres Programme is a £3m funding programme to fund renovations and improvements to veterans' community centres. Submission by 4th November.
The Covenant is a promise from the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
For more about the Armed Forces Covenant and what it means for you, visit:
www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk
Staffordshire County Council welcomes new content to be submitted but reserves the right to editorial control on behalf of Staffordshire's Armed Forces Partnership. We are not responsible for the content or reliability of the linked websites.
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