A military veteran, who is now serving on Ruddington Parish Council, is welcoming a new online resource which supports our local Armed Forces community.
Nottinghamshire County Council has just unveiled an accessible page added to its website called ‘The Armed Forces Hub’. In accordance with the ‘Armed Forces Community Covenant’, it provides those service personnel, veterans, and their families with information about help available from both internal and external sources.
Cllr Graham Fletcher {pictured top}, who served our country for four years in the 1970s – including two tours of duty during ‘the troubles’ in Northern Ireland – tells RUDDINGTON.info: “It is great to see that the County Council is actively supporting our ex-Armed Forces personnel.”
There are links on the new page to an emergency helpline, NHS support services, employment support, and information about local charities. These include Nottinghamshire branches of Care After Combat and Age UK.
Members of the public are also able to access content about the county’s Armed Forces heritage, including links to local regiment museums, a list of Victoria Cross recipients, the First World War Roll of Honour, and upcoming events marking the centenary of the Second World War.
The authority hopes this sharing of information and knowledge, accessible to as many individuals and groups as possible, will enhance the relationship between civilians and the Armed Forces. These efforts are managed by the Civil and Military Partnership Board (CMPB), which now has its own page on the hub.
Councillor Keith Girling, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Armed Forces Champion, says: “I am very happy with the new accessible site. After serving myself for 18 years in the Grenadier Guards, I understand the crucial nature of the support we provide. Service people, veterans, and their families deserve nothing short of the best. I’m particularly pleased with how the site emphasises that this is achieved by a county-wide partnership of Armed Forces Champions from District, and Borough Councils. Their details are included on the new site, ensuring users can easily contact them with any queries.”
Councillor Fletcher adds: “As Armed Forces Covenant Champion for the Ruddington area I am someone that can relate to the issues that can be specific to ex services personnel. The support is there for employment, physical & mental health – to name just a few – or even just helping to deal with handling the pressures of everyday life. Along with the likes of the Ruddington & District Royal British Legion (which meets the first Thursday of every month at 8pm in St Peter’s Rooms), there is lots of support in our area – even if it’s just for a chat from one ex-vet to another. I am always available” says Cllr Fletcher.
He continues: “Also in Ruddington we have the Rushcliffe Social Prescribing Group working on the Parish Council’s allotments on Wilford Road. For the benefit of patients who have been referred to them, it’s a great area for people who have suffered loneliness, bereavement, etc, but could also include ex-forces personnel.”
You can contact Councillor Fletcher via grahamfletcher.ruddingtonpc@yahoo.com and access the County Council’s new online resource at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-structure/armed-forces-hub.
