Council earns gold award for support of armed forces

Chorley Council has earned the gold standard in the Armed Forces Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

In June 2020, Chorley Council retained the silver award, which has now been increased to gold following its ongoing commitment shown to supporting those in the armed forces community.

The award is bestowed upon employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

Chorley Council offers additional welfare support within the community whilst having three elected members who are veterans that have served previously in the Armed Forces.

One of which being the council’s armed forces champion, who regularly collaborates with the armed forces covenant support officer to that the covenant is embedded within the authority.

A large proportion of Chorley Council frontline staff have received Armed Forces Covenant training and are equipped to deal with issues when they arise.

Whilst offering health and wellbeing support to those who have served in the armed forces, the council have also worked in partnership with the Royal British Legion, and supported veterans with adaptations to their homes.

Veterans are guaranteed a job interview at the council if they meet the requirements and the council is also signed up to the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) and Forces Families Jobs (FFJ) to help this process.

As a borough, Chorley has a long history and affiliation with the armed forces and its residents continue to engage with a variety of community projects such as parades, remembrance events and the raising of the Armed Forces Day flag at the Town Hall during Armed Forces Week.

Coun Bev Murray, executive member for early intervention at Chorley Council, said: “As an authority we are honoured to have received the Armed Forces Gold Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

“We are pleased to continue to support the Armed Forces Covenant and those that have served in the Armed Forces and continue to do so."