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HEIW proudly signs the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge

The Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) is the nation’s commitment to those who have proudly protected our nation with honour, courage and commitment. It pledges that together we acknowledge and understand that those who have fought for our country, and their families, should be treated fairly and respectfully in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

It focuses on helping and supporting members of the armed forces community to have the same access to government, commercial services and products as any other citizen, including:

  • education and family well being
  • having a home
  • starting a new career
  • access to healthcare
  • financial assistance
  • discounted services

By signing the covenant, HEIW commit to:

  • developing policies that encourage reserve service
  • Actively recruit and support employment of veterans and service spouses/partners
  • Offering parttime and flexible working patterns to reservists, military partners and spouses
  • Offer a guaranteed interview scheme (subject to candidate meeting the minimum essential criteria as set out in the personal specification)

HEIW demonstrates its intention to support the Armed Forces community and provides the opportunity to be recognised by the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award.

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded the Defense Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award, which highlights that HEIW is an armed forces friendly employer and are open minded about employing reservists, armed forces veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners, we will also reflect our commitment by supporting Armed Forces Day on 25 June 2022.

Alex Howells, Chief Executive of HEIW said, “We are very pleased to have recently signed the Armed Forces Covenant and therefore have made the pledge to support our employees and their families when providing exceptional support to the armed forces community”.

Chris Jones our Chairman said “The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. We are very grateful to those who have proudly protected our nation with honour, courage and commitment, and are delighted to support our staff members in any way we can”.

 

Our colleague Amy Whitehead, Executive Assistant - Workforce & OD, Medical & Planning is married to an army veteran and share her experience below. . .

“I was thrilled to see HEIW agreeing to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, being a wife of an army veteran who served for 20 years, the armed forces played a huge part in our family and working lives. Seeing recognition of this service and the organisations commitment and support to the armed forces community, aligned with the values of the covenant, makes me proud to be an employee of HEIW. Whilst being an active part of the armed forces family living amongst the regiment, I felt well supported when my husband was deployed overseas.  We were fortunate to receive excellent education for our children via Service Childrens Education and I was able to work within the military system. However, leaving that community and returning to “civilian” life is a daunting experience, finding a new career, new schools for your children and a home to call your own without the safety blanket the armed forces provide. To see that HEIW are acknowledging and understanding that those who have fought for our country, and their families, should be treated fairly and respectfully in the communities, economy and society they serve is truly heartwarming. Since joining HEIW I have felt that sense of belonging again and welcome the pledge that has been made”.

Take a look here for further information:   https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/