Employers from across Shropshire gained a special ‘behind the wire’ insight into their local Army Reserve Centre in Dawley Bank.
Home to D (Shropshire) Squadron The Royal Yeomanry, forces-friendly employers were invited to spend the day at the centre as part of the squadron’s wider engagement week. The week aimed to bring the community and the military together to learn more about the activities and opportunities available with the Reserve Forces, and develop new connections with local businesses and residents.
With key speakers from the regiment, Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award holders Rhienmetall BAE Systems Land, the Army Cadet Force and our West Midland RFCA home team, employers were able to find out how businesses can benefit from supporting the Armed Forces community – including Reservists, veterans, Service leavers, military families and the Cadet Forces – and why employer support is vital to Defence overall. The day also provided chance to show appreciation for the employers across our region who proactively support the wider forces community.
There was also a unique opportunity for employers to get hands on with military equipment, and sample the culinary talents of the Reservist chefs who whipped up lunch on site.
Three new organisations including Viessmann UK, Fodens Solicitors and Zen Communications formally pledged their forces-friendly intentions by signing the Armed Forces Covenant, with Affinity Home Care enhancing their existing pledges by re-signing their covenant.
Vicki Savage, Head of HR at Viessmann UK said: “Viessmann Climate Solutions UK are proud to demonstrate their support for the Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
“We recognise the value serving personnel, Reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. By signing the Covenant we show support for our Armed Forces, acknowledging that those who serve or who have served our country, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society that they serve, ensuring we are a forces-friendly employer.”
Captain Nick Trevor, the Permanent Staff Administrative Officer at D Squadron, added: “It was a great pleasure for D Squadron The Royal Yeomanry to host the Employers Support Lunch, Veterans Breakfast club and the local youth organisations at our Dawley Bank home.
“The collection of events ably demonstrated the value of the strong partnership between local Reserve soldiers and their employers, cemented by signing the Armed Forces Covenant within the event. It also showed how the wider community are working together in partnership for collective goals, which is aligned to the mantra of: ‘Your Reserve, your employers, and your community, working together for a better society.’”
Earlier in the week Telford Veterans Mind were invited to spend a day at the centre meeting unit members, and a local youth group took part in a number of activities supported by the Dawley Bank Air Cadets.
The Royal Yeomanry is a reconnaissance regiment which uses light armoured vehicles and high-tech communications systems and weaponry to support intelligence gathering. Find out more about the roles of our Midlands-based Royal Yeomanry Reserve units – B (Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire) Squadron and D (Shropshire) Squadron The Royal Yeomanry.
Visit our webpage if your organisation is interested in signing the Armed Forces Covenant or starting your journey in supporting the Armed Forces community.
Uploaded 08/04/2024