Council recognised with highest possible accolade for its work supporting armed forces communities

Staffordshire County Council has been awarded the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition (DERS) Gold Award for its work supporting the county’s armed forces communities.

The gold award marks the authority’s ongoing work to support the employment of its Armed Forces community, recognising the valuable skills and experience they can bring to Staffordshire and helping them enjoy full and rewarding careers.

To achieve the award, organisations must pledge, demonstrate, and advocate support to its Armed Forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

The authority is one of 50 organisations in the West Midlands region to receive the gold award. It is now encouraging other organisations and employers to follow suit by explaining the benefits the Armed Forces community brings to businesses.

Leader of Staffordshire County Council, Alan White said he was delighted to receive the award.

Alan said: “As a former serving soldier and long-standing supporter of the services, I’m delighted that the council has achieved this recognition.

“Supporting all our armed forces communities, whether serving, former members, or reservists and their families, and recognising the valuable skills they bring to Staffordshire is incredibly important. The county council works with many partners to ensure we recognise, promote, and support the entire armed forces community, given the unique role they play and some of the challenges they face.

“We first signed the Armed Forces Covenant back in 2012, re-signing it in February 2023. Since then, we’ve been working hard to make sure that our armed forces get the support and access to services they need. We remain committed to further developing the support we provide and to promote to other Staffordshire organisations, the benefits our Armed Forces community can bring to them.”

Philip Sinclair, Regional Employer Engagement Director for West Midlands Reserves Forces & Cadets Association said:

“I am delighted that we have had so many fantastic organisations recognised for their demonstrable support to, and advocacy for, the Armed Forces Covenant and the community that it supports.

“It is clear that Staffordshire County Council have been completely invested in supporting that community, both as an employer, and as a local authority. It has been a pleasure to be able to guide, advise, and support them in their bid for the ERS gold award, and the recognition that they have received from the Ministry of Defence, for being an exemplar organisation, is well deserved. I look forward to continuing to work alongside this new member of Defence’s Gold Award Association.”

Staffordshire has a strong connection with the armed forces, with large bases in Stafford and Lichfield, along with many veterans, reservists, cadets, and armed forces families across the county.

More than 170 organisations in Staffordshire have already signed the Armed Forces Covenant. Further details on becoming a Forces friendly employer are available at The Armed Forces Covenant - Staffordshire County Council.