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St Helens Armed Forces Covenant

Introduction

St Helens Borough Council are proud to honour our local Armed Forces community through public events such as the Annual Armed Forces Day and the Service of Remembrance.  Councillor Lynn Clarke, is the Borough's Armed Forces Champion.

The council signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2012 and honours the commitment it has made to ensure people in the Armed Forces community receive the support and recognition they are entitled to.   The Council works closely with local Armed Forces Units, Armed Forces charities, and health, housing, education and employment partners to ensure that those who Serve and those who have Served receive fair treatment and respect, and not disadvantaged compared to other citizens when accessing public services.

These pages have details of that support and links to related pages and documents which include information and guidance relevant to our local Armed Forces community - including local support groups and breakfast clubs for Service Leavers, Ex Forces, and Veterans.

Further assistance for Armed Forces and Service Families is available through the three official Armed Forces Family Federations - the Navy Families Federation, the Army Families Federation, and the RAF Families Federation.

Since November 2022, St Helens Borough Council has undertaken Armed Forces Covenant Impact Assessments on decisions affecting prescribed education, health, and housing functions that are within the scope of the Armed Forces Act 2021 Covenant Duty.  The Armed Forces Impact Assessment Tool uses evidence to consider whether special provisions or tailored services should be put in place, in order to remove any disadvantages arising for St Helens Armed Forces Community as result from the unique obligations and sacrifices made by Armed Forces Service People. 

The Armed Forces Covenant Impact Assessment process has supported the following bespoke provision in the Borough

If you or a member of your family serve in the British Armed Forces, or if you are an Armed Forces Service Leaver, Reservist, Veteran, Widow or Widower, the following pages hold a summary of the support, special provisions, and tailored services available in St Helens Borough.

Housing

Health

Sometimes it is not easy to find out about how to register with a doctor or dentist, or what services are available to the Armed Forces Community on the NHS.  

Mental Health and Wellbeing - After serving in the Armed Forces, some people find it hard to adjust to civvy street.  If you're struggling with your mental health and wellbeing, then Veterans In Mind is a local St Helens NHS service that is here to help. 

Op COURAGE is a National NHS Mental Health and Wellbeing Service developed with people who've served in the Armed Forces and experienced mental ill-health.  Everyone at Op COURAGE is either from the Armed Forces or has experience of working with the military community.  Whether you're due to leave the Armed Forces, are a reservist or have already left the military, this service can help.

Education

Employment

St Helens Borough Council is proud to be an employer of staff who are Reservists, Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers, Veterans, and Service People (both serving and past members of the British Armed Forces and their dependant family members). We offer two weeks additional pay to staff who are Reservists and Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers to support their annual training commitments. We would encourage all employers to be proactive in providing whatever support they can to recruit and retain Armed Forces Service People. Please take a look at our Armed Forces and Reservist Employment Policy to see some examples of the possible support your organisation could provide.

Free Employer support available through the Defence Employer Engagement Team

As an employer the Council has benefited greatly from the free support, guidance, and advise available through the North West Defence Employer Engagement Team. We have worked closely with Jan Cox, the Regional Employer Engagement Director (REED) for Merseyside, Cheshire and the Isle of Man, who has supported us on our journey to become a Gold Employer under Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). Being part of the ERS enables us to meet with like minded employers across the North West to learn, share, and develop good Reservist and Armed Forces employment practices. If would like to find out more about how your organisation could support Reservists and other Armed Forces employees please contact Simon Cousins, our Armed Forces Covenant Support Officer - simoncousins@sthelens.gov.uk    

Armed Forces council leisure membership

St Helens Borough Council offers access to all council leisure services for Armed Forces personnel and former members of the Armed Forces. The memberships are all-inclusive, which enable members to access council-run gyms, pools, saunas, steam rooms and classes.

Armed Forces memberships can only be issued at a council leisure centre reception. You must take your Armed Forces ID as proof.

The entitlements are outlined below:

  • Armed Forces regulars, reserves and veterans - discounted Go Active bronze membership (anytime including weekends).
  • All serving personnel and veterans for seven days starting on National Armed Forces Day each year - FREE access to all council leisure centres, fitness suites and swimming pools.
  • Recipients of an Armed Forces pension and compensation (MOD) - FREE Go Active Membership (daytime including weekends).
  • All serving Regular Armed Forces personnel on leave - one month's FREE access to all council leisure centres, fitness suites and swimming pools.

Local Regular and Reserve Regiments

The The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment is the local infantry regiment in the North West. To find out more about a career with the Duke of Lancaster's, and how to become one of the Kingsmen, please watch their latest recruitment video. 

St Helens' Local Reserve Regiments

103 Regiment Royal Artillery Headquarter Troop is our local Reserve Regiment based at St Helens' Jubilee Barracks.  If you would like to find out more about the 'Lancashire Artillery Volunteers', and how to become a North West Gunner then please watch the latest live fire training. video.

156 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps is our local Garrison Regiment based at Mather Avenue Barracks in Liverpool.  If you would like to find out more about the roles available with the Royal Logistic Corps please watch their Logistic Support Vehicle Driver video.

Individuals in the Reserve Forces - known as Reservists - are ordinary men and women who give up their time to train and serve alongside the Regular Forces.  As members of the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR), Royal Marines Reserve (RMR), Army Reserve and Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF), they are an important element of the nation's total defence capacity. 

Find out more about life as a Reservist, the opportunities that are open to you, and how to join

St Helens Borough Council's Commitment to Reservist Employees

St Helens Borough Council is proud to be an employer of staff who are Reservists.  We offer 2 weeks additional pay to our Reservists to support their annual training commitments.   We would encourage all employers to be proactive in providing whatever support they can to recruit and retain Reservists.  Please take a look at our Armed Forces and Reservist Employment Policy to see some examples of the possible support your organisation could provide.

Free Employer support available through the Defence Employer Engagement Team

As an employer the Council has benefited greatly from the free support, guidance, and advise available through the North West Defence Employer Engagement Team.  We have worked closely with Jan Cox, the Regional Employer Engagement Director (REED) for Merseyside, Cheshire and the Isle of Man, who has supported us on our journey to become a Gold Employer under Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).  Being part of the ERS enables us to meet with like minded employers across the North West to learn, share, and develop good Reservist and Armed Forces employment practices.  If  would like to find out more about how your organisation could support Reservists and other Armed Forces employees please contact Simon Cousins, our Armed Forces Covenant Support Officer - simoncousins@sthelens.gov.uk    

St Helens' Cadet Forces

Here are links to the websites of our local Sea, Air and Army Cadet Forces:

Become a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer

The Cadet Forces need adults to volunteer with the enthusiasm to motivate and train cadets and the desire to have a positive input into their futures. Being a Cadet Instructor is a great opportunity to be part of a prestigious and popular youth organisation, which takes great pride in offering young people opportunities that may not otherwise be available to them. To find out more please follow these links below:

St Helens Borough Council's Commitment to Cadet Forces Adult Volunteer Employees

St Helens Borough Council is proud to be an employer of staff who are Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers.  We offer a guaranteed interview for Cadet Force Adult Volunteer job applicants who meet the essential criteria of job posts.  We also offer Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers employees up to two weeks additional pay to to support their annual training commitments.  We would encourage all employers to be proactive in providing whatever support they can to recruit and retain Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers.  Please take a look at our Armed Forces and Reservist Employment Policy to see some examples of the possible support your organisation could provide.

Free Employer support available through the Defence Employer Engagement Team

As an employer the Council has benefited greatly from the free support, guidance, and advise available through the North West Defence Employer Engagement Team. We have worked closely with Jan Cox, the Regional Employer Engagement Director (REED) for Merseyside, Cheshire and the Isle of Man, who has supported us on our journey to become a Gold Employer under Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).  Being part of the ERS enables us to meet with like minded employers across the North West to learn, share, and develop good Reservist and Armed Forces employment practices. If would like to find out more about how your organisation could support Reservists and other Armed Forces employees please contact Simon Cousins, our Armed Forces Covenant Support Officer - simoncousins@sthelens.gov.uk    

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