Military, community, health, heritage and business leaders have attended a Civic Leaders Reception at Prince William of Gloucester barracks.
The networking event in the Officers Mess drew around 140 guests and was hosted by the Army Training Regiment (Grantham) in partnership with South Kesteven District Council.
It’s the second year that SKDC has co-organised the reception as part of its Armed Forces Covenant and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award commitments to advocate support for defence.
SKDC Deputy Leader Cllr Ashey Baxter joined barracks Commanding Officer Lt Col Di Youngman in welcoming guests and encouraging support for the Armed Forces Covenant in preventing disadvantage for military veterans.
Cllr Baxter told guests: “South Kesteven District Council is proud to support the Covenant and hold the Gold Award. We have a duty to support all aspects of the Armed Forces and we take every opportunity to encourage others to do the same.
“Tonight is just such an occasion. So, on behalf of the 8,700 veterans who live in the district, well over 7% of our population, our plea is for others to follow suit and join us.”
Lt Col Youngman said: “The Covenant is a powerful commitment that exists between our society and us, the military. It signifies a collective responsibility to ensure that those who serve, as well as their families, are offered the support and respect they deserve.
“But, more than this, it becomes the fabric of our society that welcomes, supports and embraces a military community, and all that comes with it. I hope that this event enables us to deepen our connections and forge forward, not as civilians and military, but as an enriched community that is better than the sum of its parts.”
Speakers outlined the contribution that military Reservists and cadets make to employers and society, and Defence and Security Accelerator funding opportunities for development of products with potential to contribute to defence.
Guests heard of employment opportunities for ex-military with DERS Gold Award holder the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, the MOD Armed Forces Covenant Team role in preventing disadvantage for ex-military and SKDC’s emerging Airborne Forces Heritage Trail project.
Guests were drawn from serving military, veterans, health, business, heritage, community and support organisations and the council’s fellow Armed Forces Covenant signatories.
There was even a special dash of colour, thanks to the poppy cascades created for Remembrance display at the Guildhall hanging as a back-drop.