Armed Forces and Community Covenant

Front of the Town Hall with the Forces Flag raised

Preston City Council is a proud supporter of the Armed Forces, working closely with the Armed Forces Covenant Hub, which is situated within UCLan, the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.

The Local Authority signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant in 2012 and was awarded the AFC Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award in 2022.

A warm welcome from Preston City Council's Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Mel Close

"I'm delighted to be the Armed Forces Champion for Preston, and I'd like to say how important it is to build respect and trust within the armed forces community and as a city, we want to champion them and what they have given us.

The covenant is further proof of the commitment Preston City Council has towards veterans and members of the Armed Forces"

Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces and Community Covenant is a promise from the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served, and their families, are treated fairly. This commitment is made in recognition of the sacrifices they make on behalf of the country.

The Armed Forces and Community Covenant between Preston City Council, Representatives of the Charitable, Public and Voluntary Sectors and the Civilian Community of Preston, signifies Preston joining an elite band of towns and cities in the UK that have agreed to a partnership and relationship with the military by signing this historic 'military covenant'.

Preston City Council will be signing the new updated version of the Covenant in early 2025, to ensure that those who have served, continue to get a fair deal and are not disadvantaged or discriminated against.

Armed Forces Silver Award

We are proud to hold the Armed Forces Silver award for those who proudly protect our nation, with honour, courage, and commitment.

This means we have:

Signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
Stated our intent to be supportive by using Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) to register at the Bronze level.
Proactively demonstrated that service personnel/armed forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as part of our recruiting and selection processes.
Actively ensured that our workforce is aware of our positive policies towards defence people issues.
Employees who attend Volunteer Reserve Forces Training Camps are granted leave of absence with pay up to a maximum of 10 working days to assist them in the commission of these duties (i.e. training courses).

Forces Friendly Employer

The city council is working towards ensuring that all front-line staff receive the 'One Voice' training to provide council staff employees with an overview of what the Armed Forces Covenant is.

Giving employees a deeper insight into the Armed Forces Community, where they may need support and to explore how public sector workers can help the community further.

Adrian Phillips, Chief Executive of Preston City Council said:

"We support employees who are volunteer reservists by allowing up to 10 days paid leave of absence per year to assist them in the commission of their duties, including attending training camps."

Preston City Council employees who attend volunteer Reserve Forces Training Camp or who volunteer as Special Constables or Retained Firefighters are granted extra leave to assist them in carrying out these duties.

Celebrating the D-Day 80^th Anniversary

Preston City Council proudly celebrated the D-Day 80^th Anniversary in June 2024.

Thursday, 6 June 2024, there was a Civic Anniversary event, with a day of reflection for those who served during the D-Day landings and centred around a symbolic beacon lighting ceremony, with a tribute from cadets and veterans.

Choir performances led up to the beacon lighting, fostering a sense of unity and remembrance as we honoured the heroes of D-Day.

The second event, held on the Flag Market and in the Foyer of the Guild Hall, brought history to life through a range of events and performances paying tribute to the heroes of D-Day and celebrating 80 years of courage, sacrifice, and resilience.

Football and the Forces

The city is also home to Preston North End Football Club, a founder member of the Football League.

The PNE Forces programme is an initiative run by Preston North End Community and Education Trust which is open to anyone who currently or has previously served in the Armed Forces.

The initiative includes football and social sessions designed to give forces members, both past and present, a way to keep active while forming new relationships with like-minded people.

Preston's Military Connections

The military covenant provides a greater working relationship between the council, other public sector bodies, local communities and the military.

Preston is proud of its military connections. Many people from the city serve in the armed forces and Preston is also home to Fulwood Barracks.

The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and the Royal King's Hussars have freedom of the city. Preston also has an affiliation with 45 Squadron RAF Benson.

Work will be undertaken to assist service personnel and their families in education, skills and employment, housing, local environment and health and wellbeing. The covenant will also see a strengthening of Preston's military connections and celebrations.

The covenant will also see closer collaborations working with veterans' associations to develop a one stop shop supporting armed forces personnel and encouraging local businesses to support military personnel.

Local Support Services

The city council is committed to supporting our Armed Forces' personnel and families through a wide range of housing options too.

Support is given to prevent homelessness when facing housing and accommodation issues after leaving the Armed Forces. Priority will be given on our housing waiting list through Select Move, our choice-based letting scheme.

Dig in Preston

Set in the walled garden at Ashton Park, Dig in Preston is a supportive and collaborative, horticultural community hub for people from the military community, both serving and veteran, and their families.

"We are here to support each other through challenging times and celebrate good times."

Help in Preston

Help in Preston, provide additional information on local Armed Forces Support,

National Support Services

Veteran's Gateway

The Veterans' Gateway service is the first point of contact for all veterans, and their families. Their expert content covers welfare areas: housing, employment, finances, living independently, mental wellbeing, families and communities, and physical health.

24/7 helpline via phone, chat, email and text.
Telephone: 0808 802 1212.

Royal British Legion (RBL)

The Royal British Legion is a charity that supports the armed forces community, they can offer advice and one to one support 7 days a week.
Telephone: 0808 802 8080 from 8am to 8pm.

Soldiers' Sailors' Air Force and Families Association (SSAFA)

Soldiers' Sailors' Air Force and Families Association (SSAFA), the Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of practical and emotional help to serving personnel, veterans, and their families in their time of need.

Working with more than 120 different military organisations, regimental associations and many other foundations enabling us to help so many in need.

Referrals to SSAFA Lancashire can be made as follows:

Helpline number: 020 4566 9146. This is covered Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Messages can be left out-of-hours and will be picked up the next day.
Email: enw.region@ssafa.org.uk

The District Provision Tool provides information and links to support for the Armed Forces Community, including housing, finances, employment, health, training and education.

The Lancashire Armed Forces Covenant Hub