Supporting the men and women of the armed forces

November 2026

Early November is the time when we remember the sacrifices made by our armed forces, whether in WW1, WW2 or in the conflicts of more recent times.

In my own family, my grandfather served in India during the First World War and my father served in Burma during the Second World War. Other close relatives served in Europe in WW2 and my late husband’s father served in the area that now covers Iraq in WW1. Many residents have similar connections and experiences.

Last year, to mark the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day, Stratford District Council launched a Community Grant Scheme to support valuable community assets in memory of the generation who sacrificed so much during the Second World War and to celebrate the power of community in the 21st Century. Community groups, charities and town and parish councils received grants to support their village halls and community centres that deliver vital services and contribute so much to the social fabric of our towns and villages.

As the Leader of the Council my role includes supporting officers and all councillors to ensure that the District Council also offers support to those who are currently serving or have served in the armed forces and their families throughout the year.

Two years ago, on 6 November 2024, Stratford District Council adopted the Armed Forces Covenant. This is a pledge that organisations can make to demonstrate their support for the Armed Forces community. By signing the Covenant, the District Council committed to:

• Promoting the fact that it is an Armed Forces-friendly organisation to demonstrate support for the regular armed forces, veterans and reservists and their families and bereaved families.
• Recognising, supporting and attending remembrance events including Armed Forces Day.
• Treating those who serve, or have served, and their families, with fairness and respect.

Full Covenant details are available on the SDC website: Armed Forces Covenant | Stratford-on-Avon District Council

The District Council received a silver award from the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) and continues to work towards actively supporting the Armed Forces Community by implementing policies to help them. These include being open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors, military spouses/partners, and recognising the range of transferrable skills they offer.

The District Council has a scheme which provides an interview, where the applicant meets the essential criteria for the role, and where they are in the process of leaving the Armed Forces, or where the Armed Forces was their last role.

The District Council actively supports employees in the Territorial Army and other Reserve Forces by granting two weeks paid leave to attend Annual Camp and ensuring paid leave of absence to those staff 'called up' for national Defence duties. It has an Employee Volunteering Scheme for armed forces charities.

Other actions taken have included working to ensure that housing needs are met, that homelessness is prevented and that specific needs are met.

An Armed Forces Champion Group has been formed to ensure that the District Council will continue to meet the pledge to support our armed forces.

An armed forces covenant action plan provides an active and moving set of actions designed to support the pledge and records what the District Council has achieved. The next stage of the action plan is ongoing and seeking input from a wider group of partners following a national conference.