Armed forces 'champions' sought

08 May 2017

The Home Affairs Department is calling on Islanders who have served in the armed forces to become “veterans’ and armed forces champions” in a new community scheme.

The scheme, which was devised by the Jersey Armed Forces Covenant Steering Group, aims to use the experience and knowledge of would-be veterans’ and armed forces champions to ensure that their needs are reflected fairly in local service plans. These might include access to healthcare, housing, education, family wellbeing and starting a new career.

Home Affairs Minister, Deputy Kristina Moore, said “It is important that we develop a scheme that will allow us to reach out to members of the armed forces community in Jersey. These people have served their country and they sometimes have specific needs when returning to live within a civilian setting. The Armed Forces Steering Group would like to establish a network of Islanders who have experience of life in the services or wish to champion their cause so that they can fairly support the veterans and armed forces community and direct them to the people who can help.”

The Steering Group was set up following the States of Jersey’s adoption of the Armed Forces Covenant and Community Covenant (P.168/2014) in January 2015. The Community Covenant, which was signed by the Bailiff and the Lieutenant-Governor in 2015, aims to

• nurture understanding and awareness of issues affecting the armed forces community
• recognise and remember the sacrifices faced by the armed forces community
• encourage activities that help to integrate the armed forces community into local life
• encourage the armed forces community to help support the wider community

The Steering Group reviews support to veterans and the armed forces and the community in the areas of: employment of reserves; health; social security; housing; income tax; education; and parish relationships.

Anyone interested in becoming a veterans’ and armed forces champion should contact Deputy Moore by email or by telephone on +44 (0)1534 447923.

Email Deputy Moore