Broughton House has signed the Armed Forces Covenant as a pledge of support for the service community.
Professor Sir Netar Mallick, chairman of Broughton House, and Colonel Philip Harrison, commander of the British Army Headquarters in the north west, signed the covenant at a ceremony attended by civic and armed forces dignitaries accompanied by Ty Platten, chief executive of Broughton House.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a national commitment to those who serve or have served, that they and their families should be treated with fairness and respect in their communities and receive support which recognises their contribution to the nation by helping them in areas such as starting a new career, access to healthcare, education and family well-being and financial assistance.
It states: We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value serving personnel, both regular and reservists, veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.
By signing the covenant, Broughton House, the Salford home for ex-servicemen and women, has pledged to promote itself as an armed forces-friendly organisation.
It will support veterans through a new hub, work with partner agencies to promote the employment of veterans, service spouses and service leavers, and support employees who choose to be members of the reserve forces or cadet force adult volunteers..
Broughton House will also offer education and support to local cadet units and will actively participate in Britain’s annual Armed Forces Day.
The guests at the signing ceremony included:
- Lt Commander Lee Paddock, head of service leaver transition and veterans support for the British Army in the north west
- Lt Colonel Alex Cotterill, regional head of engagement for the army in the north west;
- Lt Col Mike Edwards, commanding officer, 103rd Regiment Royal Artillery;
- Councillor Peter Connor, the Ceremonial Mayor of Salford;
- Paul Griffiths, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester;
- Paul Johnston, Manchester city council’s Armed Forces champion;
- Broughton House staff and trustees.
Prof Sir Netar said: “Broughton House was founded by the community to serve veterans and signing the Armed Forces Covenant is a powerful way for us to demonstrate our continued and wholehearted support to them.”