The Council has been awarded the Gold Certificate in the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme. This is the highest accolade available for organisations that demonstrate outstanding support for the Armed Forces community.
The achievement acknowledges our work with military personnel, their families, veterans, reservists and cadets, demonstrating the Council’s commitment to treat all member of the community fairly and with respect. This follows on from a Bronze Certificate in 2018 and Silver Certificate in 2024.
We have actively promoted the Armed Forces Covenant, both internally and externally, helping our workforce recognise and value the contribution made by the Armed Forces community.
A key factor in progressing from Silver to Gold has been securing and delivering grant-funded initiatives that expand support for the local Armed Forces communities, particularly for tri-service cadets. This funding has enabled the provision of essential equipment, enhanced training opportunities and increased participation in programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award. These help young people build leadership, resilience and teamwork skills.
Councillor Chris Dorn, Armed Forces Champion at the Council, said: “It is fantastic that Hart has been recognised for the strong and sustained support we provide to our Armed Forces, in partnership with our civil community. This award reflects the work taking place across the district to understand and respond to the unique challenges of military life. We also promote opportunities for veterans, service leavers, reservists and their families. We are proud of what has been achieved and remain committed to building on this success."
Daryl Phillips, Council CEO, said: “Achieving Gold is a significant milestone and reflects a sustained, organisation-wide commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community. It recognises not only our role as an employer, but also our wider contribution as a community leader. We will continue to champion Armed Forces-friendly policies, strengthen partnerships and ensure meaningful support for serving personnel, veterans, reservists and their families across Hart."