11/07/22: Breckland Council achieves Gold award for Armed Forces support

Breckland Council has been awarded 'gold status' in the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme, for its efforts to offer high levels of support to members of the Armed Forces and their families.

This latest award, from the Ministry of Defence, builds on the council's previous success in achieving the silver award, a status it has held since 2017. Breckland Council is one of just a handful of councils in East Anglia to have achieved the award.

Gold status recognises councils which have put in place considerable support for serving personnel, reservists, veterans, families, cadets, and the wider military community across the district.

Breckland Council's initiatives include signposting armed forces personnel and their families to national and local support groups, 1-2-1 advice to assist with mental health and housing concerns and supporting employment opportunities within local government.

Cllr Paul Claussen, Breckland's lead member for Armed Forces support, commented: "Breckland Council has a long and proud tradition of supporting the Armed Forces and I'm delighted that our efforts to further enhance the support available has been recognised through this gold award.

"This prestigious award acknowledges that we're not only delivering support for serving members of the Forces, but also provide help and advice for retired service personnel and their families. Receiving this award is not only a major achievement for Breckland, but also a great morale boost for our local Armed Forces community, who can be confident in approaching us for support when they need it most."

More information on the support Breckland Council and its partners can offer to the Armed Forces community and their families can be found at www.breckland.gov.uk/armed-forces-community