Armed Forces Covenant

Thornbury Town Council is proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring that serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers and military families are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged because of their service.

We are proud to be an Armed Forces Friendly organisation and are committed to supporting the Armed Forces community through our employment practices, community initiatives and local partnerships.

We are committed to:

• Promoting the Armed Forces Covenant throughout Thornbury.
• Supporting veterans and recognising the skills and experience they bring.
• Supporting Reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and military families.
• Working with local organisations, charities and businesses to strengthen support for the Armed Forces community.
• Celebrating military service through civic events, remembrance activities and local heritage projects.

Supporting Veterans

We recognise the valuable experience veterans bring to the workplace and community. We will:

• Advertise suitable vacancies through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP).
• Recognise relevant military skills and qualifications during recruitment.
• Guarantee interviews for veterans who meet the essential criteria for Council vacancies.
• Make Parish facilities available, where possible, for veteran drop-ins, peer support groups and wellbeing activities.
• Encourage veterans to take part in civic and community life.

Supporting Military Families

We understand that service life affects the whole family. We are committed to:

• Guaranteeing interviews for military spouses and partners who meet the essential criteria for Council vacancies.
• Taking a flexible and supportive approach to leave requests connected with deployments where operationally possible.
• Promoting local peer support networks and helping military families stay connected with their community.

Supporting Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers

Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers develop valuable leadership, teamwork and organisational skills that benefit both the Armed Forces and civilian communities.

We will:

• Support employees who serve as Reservists or volunteer with Cadet organisations.
• Allow additional time off for training and service commitments where possible.
• Recognise the valuable skills they bring to the workplace.
• Encourage local employers to support Reservists and Cadet volunteers.

Supporting Our Community

Thornbury Town Council is committed to bringing the Armed Forces community and the wider community together by:

• Supporting Armed Forces Day, Reserves Day, the Poppy Appeal and Remembrance events.
• Supporting the annual South Gloucestershire Armed Forces Day event.
• Promoting local Armed Forces charities and community organisations.
• Supporting fundraising, volunteering and local wellbeing initiatives.
• Developing heritage projects that preserve the stories of local veterans and service families for future generations.
• Encouraging veterans to become involved in community and civic events.

The Council has appointed an Armed Forces Champion to ensure that the needs of serving personnel, veterans and military families remain visible in Council discussions and decision-making.

Cllr Gil Gilroy is pictured signing the Armed Forces Covenant.