Dedicated Armed Forces Officer
Our Armed Forces Officer is there to strengthen delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant across North Tyneside, supporting the Armed Forces Community under a government commitment to support services personnel and to ensure that those who currently serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families, are treated fairly.
The Armed Forces Officer is a single point of contact for all Armed Forces related enquiries in to the local authority and co-ordinates services in accordance with the Armed Forces Covenant and commitment to support.
Contact
Email: ArmedForcesSupport@northtyneside.gov.uk
Tel: 07870 394 745
The Community Covenant
The Armed Forces Community Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between the civilian community and its local armed forces community. It's intended to compliment the Armed Forces Covenant, which outlines the moral obligation between the nation, the government and the armed forces, at the local level.
The purpose of the Community Covenant is to
- encourage support for the armed forces community working and residing in North Tyneside
- recognise and remember the sacrifices made by members of this Armed Forces Community - particularly those who have given the most - including in-service and ex-service personnel their families and widow(er)s
Encouraging businesses to sign up
The Armed Forces Community can contribute real value to business, both as employees who bring a wealth of skills and experience, and as customers.
The process for signing can be as simple as registering on the gov.uk website by printing off the template after adding company name, logo and any customised pledges, then emailing it to the Armed Forces Covenant Team afcovenant@rfca.mod.uk.
The AFC Team are more than happy to arrange a meeting with your organisation initially, to begin the relationship building process and to understand their business needs. This can be requested by emailing Darren Rhodes ne-reed@rfca.mod.uk.
Benefits of signing up
By taking part, your organisation is not only supporting the Armed Forces community and supporting North Tyneside Council but there are potential remunerations for employers with reserve service personnel that are deployed on operations or overseas commitments.
These are detailed here:
https://www.gov.uk/employee-reservist
Support is managed by the North of England Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association Employer Support team, as well as the reservist’s own Chain of Command Unit Employer Support Officer (who send out letters at the beginning of each year with details of the training commitments for the coming 18 months to their reservist’s employers).
Once organisations have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, they can work with the Employer Support team to prepare a citation to receive either a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze, Silver or Gold award:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-...
The MOD have recently launched a Menu of Benefits website that has been created exclusively for supportive employers with ERS Bronze, Silver and Gold https://www2.rfca.org.uk/ersmenuofbenefits
Signing event
We at North Tyneside Council are proposing to hold a signing event at North Tyneside Council’s Civic Suite, The Quadrant Building, Cobalt Business Park on Wednesday 31st July 2024.
If you would like to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, please contact Nick in the first instance.
If you are unable to attend this event but still wish to sign up, please contact Darren Rhodes ne-reed@rfca.mod.uk
Related documents
Priority easecard
Members of the armed forces, veterans and reservists living in North Tyneside can apply for priority easecard which gives the card holder the biggest discounts available on all activities in our indoor sports facilities.
Below is an example of the discount available with an priority easecard:
| Activity | No card | Standard card | Priority card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swimming* | £6.20 | £4.50 | £2.40 |
| Contours gym | £8.90 | £6.40 | £4.20 |
*Please note swimming prices can vary from leisure centre to leisure centre.
To apply for a priority easecard you will need to visit one of our indoor leisure facilities with proof of address and your Armed Forces/reservists ID card or veterans badge.
This card gives you:
- membership of North Tyneside Council’s leisure centres and libraries – simply activate it at one leisure centre and one library to get access to them all
- special discounted rates at our leisure centres – for classes, swimming, gym visits and Contours memberships
We charge a small annual fee for easecards for use at our leisure centres. Replacement cards are £2.40
Find out more about easecards here.
Housing Priority Banding
Priority housing banding can be given if; the applicant was / is a member of the Armed Forces or former Service Personnel and the application is made within five years of discharge or where a bereaved spouse or civil partner of members of the Armed Forces is leaving Service Family Accommodation, following the death of their spouse or partner or where a serving member or former member of the Reserve Forces who needs to move because of a serious injury, medical condition or disability sustained as a result of being in the forces
Support Services
More Support Services
Open the files to see what support is on offer