City of Doncaster Council
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We City of Doncaster Council will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 City of Doncaster Council recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Armed Forces Charities
We also pledge the following:

We provide training to not only our internal employees, but also our partners, the Armed Forces community and the wider public to help raise awareness and understanding of the challenges faced. The City of Doncaster Council have created an Armed Forces Information pack to signpost members of the Armed Forces Community to available support both in Doncaster and Nationwide. We have an appointed Armed Forces Champion and a dedicated Armed Forces Covenant Co-ordinator. We hold an annual Armed Forces Workshop to ensure that the Action plan Is appropriate, inclusive, transparent, collaborative and achieving its aims and objectives. Doncaster Armed Forces Covenant Board meets Bi-monthly focusing on the overall action plan including Access to Healthcare, Education, Having a home, Employment, Financial Assistance and Cross Cutting Factors. We have Sub-Groups bi-monthly for subjects that requires intensive attention, these include Access to Healthcare, Education and Veterans in the criminal justice system. The Armed Forces Champion and Co-ordinator encourage collaboration with Members of the Board, Partners, charities, members of the Forum, Cadets leaders Regulars, Reservists and family members. We work closely with our Armed Forces community to not only celebrate Armed Forces Day but provide a week long schedule of activities including the raising of the Union Flag, a Reception at the Mansion House and Football Tournament We engage with the Armed Forces community by attending events, meetings, groups and clubs. Including but not limited to, Regimental Association Meetings, Fit Forces, Breakfast Clubs and Regimental training, development and events. We recognise the Armed Forces community and the quality that they bring into employment. We advertise all our vacancies through the Forces Employment CTP. The City of Doncaster Council offers a guaranteed interview for veterans if they meet the criteria for a vacancy. The City of Doncaster council recognises and values the vital work of partner agencies, charities, individuals and groups in support of the Armed Forces community. To recognise our appreciation, we host an annual Awards event to ensure rightful recognition for those in the Armed Forces community and those supporting it. City of Doncaster council actively encourages local businesses to sign up the Armed Forces Covenant, through Business days, when working in the local community and through social media. We support the local Reservists with engagement and recruitment days by supporting an annual football tournament which brings local businesses together. We are currently working on an employment awareness day with the local hospitals to demonstrate to the cadets all the varying roles in the NHS and how the skills gained through the cadets will support them into a role. We are raising awareness of the benefits on joining the cadets in schools and are working with local charities with the cadets to offer volunteering opportunities and work experience.

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.