As lead for the Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board for the city, the City of Wolverhampton Council co-ordinates support for the Armed Forces community across Wolverhampton.
New chair Councillor Craig Collingswood, the Deputy Mayor of Wolverhampton, said: "It is a great honour for me to have been chosen to chair our city's Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board.
"The covenant is a pledge by the nation to ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
"It focuses on helping members of the armed forces community to have the same access to Government and commercial services and products as any other citizen.
"My son serves in the British Army with the Queen's Royal Hussars, so I am acutely aware that our Armed Forces personnel deserve the benefits they have earned.
"The men and women who serve or have served our country at home and abroad are heroes – their sacrifices, many unseen and untold, have secured the blessing of freedom for generations.
"They have served with courage, honour and commitment and during their service gave up many personal rights, freedoms and safety.
"By remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognise the tradition of freedom these men and women fought to preserve.
"I pledge to do my absolute best to ensure that help is offered and that our Armed Forces and their families are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve."
Among his first activities as chair was to meet with members of the Veterans in the Community meeting in Wednesfield yesterday (Monday 25 November, 2024).
Veterans in the Community was formed in July 2023 and is a not-for-profit organisation. It runs 3 veterans groups in the Wolverhampton area – at Wednesfield Conservative Club on Mondays from 11am to 1pm, the RAFA Club, Goldthorn Road, on Tuesdays from 1pm to 3pm, and Lunt Community Centre, Bilston, on Wednesdays from 1pm to 3pm. All ages are welcome to attend any of the clubs to enjoy refreshments, banter and good company, as well as regular events and trips.
For more information about the Armed Forces Covenant, and the help and support that is available in Wolverhampton, please visit Armed Forces Covenant.
The council has received the highest level of recognition for its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community, the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award, and encourages businesses and other organisations in the city to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
