Council staff and elected members attend Armed Forces awareness training
A training session designed to raise awareness of the Armed Forces community has been well-attended by Arun District Council staff and councillors.
The free course gave an overview of the Armed Forces Covenant - the nation’s pledge to ensure that the sacrifice of those who serve or who have served, and their families, is recognised.
There was an accompanying presentation by Canon Peter Bruinvels CC, Armed Forces Champion and adviser to MPs and Peers on the Armed Forces Covenant.
Attendees at the session also learned about the Armed Forces Bill 2021, which focuses on fair access to health, education and housing.
The 2021 Census indicated that Arun had the highest numbers of veterans in West Sussex, and the council has been involved in several projects to ensure that the Armed Forces Community is recognised and supported.
This includes helping to set up Breakfast Hubs as a safe space for veterans and linking them to local services, as well as ensuring that the support given also extends to serving members of the Armed Forces and their families.
Attended by more than 40 people, including representatives from Littlehampton, Arundel and Bognor Regis Town Councils, the training also covered who the Armed Forces community are, what challenges they face and what they do on our behalf.
The aim of the session was to help staff and councillors to have a better understanding of the topics discussed and how they might be able to access additional support, in terms of housing, health and financial matters for veterans.
Councillor Mark Turner MBE, Ferring Ward and Armed Forces Champion, said: “Despite the numerous pressures on Arun District Council and its staff, it is very reassuring that our Interim Joint CEO Karl Roberts was able to open the training and that so many councillors and staff were able to attend this important and informative session.
“It is a difficult time for many of our residents and particularly so for service veterans and families all of whom will be encouraged and reassured by the supportive, well informed and can-do attitude of the council’s staff, enhanced by this excellent training.”