Council honoured for supporting the Armed Forces community
Blaby District Council has received a top honour for demonstrating outstanding support for the Armed Forces community.
The Council is now the proud holder of a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award. This prestigious accolade is the highest badge of honour for employers who show exemplary advocacy for the defence community, including providing flexible working arrangements and supportive employment policies.
The authority, which already held a Silver Award, is just one of four Silver ERS holders in the East Midlands who met the criteria for Gold status this year. Blaby District Council now joins just over 80 organisations in the area which hold this prestigious award.
Gold Award holders play an important role in encouraging other organisations to strengthen their support for the Armed Forces community. The scheme is a well-established platform for employers to show how they are playing their part in the Government's whole-of-society approach to national defence and resilience.
Blaby District Council continues to support the Armed Forces community by providing practical help, building local partnerships and creating opportunities for veterans, reservists, cadets and serving personnel to connect with services, employers and specialist support.
This includes hosting monthly Armed Forces Wellbeing Coffee Mornings, working collaboratively with partner organisations, promoting community projects and encouraging businesses across the District to engage with the Armed Forces Covenant.
As an employer we have strong HR policies for reservists and cadet force adult volunteers and support for our veterans and military families, raise staff awareness and promote volunteering opportunities for staff to support our Armed Forces community.
Councillor Ben Taylor, Leader of Blaby District Council, said: "I am absolutely delighted that we have achieved this Gold Award, the highest honour in the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. It is a proud acknowledgement of all our work to ensure those involved with the Armed Forces are treated with fairness and respect, both in the workplace and in our communities.
“We will continue to champion and seek to improve the pathways of support for all those who serve or have served along with their families. Congratulations to all our teams whose hard work and commitment has enabled us to achieve this esteemed award."
Councillor Ben Taylor
Leader of the Council