YMCA Humber
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 YMCA Humber 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 YMCA Humber 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:
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- UK Reservists
We also pledge the following:

Service Spouses and Partners: We will offer work placements, insight opportunities days and mentoring schemes for all armed forces personnel. Furthermore, we will provide guaranteed interview schemes and support networks for Veterans seeking employment with our team. Promoting the Armed Forces: We will appoint an Armed Forces Champion within our association, who will act as a focal point with regards the promotion of support networks for our local Armed Forces families and Community. Our Champion will ensure employees are fully aware of our pledge and activity promote the Armed Forces Covernant and Employer Recognition Scheme logos in all our marketing and media communications. Accessibility to Armed Forces Personnel: As an association which focuses upon local people having fair access to all our services, we will ensure all local service people are not disadvantaged by their service and promote awareness of our housing and homelessness services among the Armed Forces Community. Support for Services Families and Children: Our Youth and Community Team will support and promote the wellbeing of Service children, recognising the experiences and challenges they may face throughout their life. We will provide ongoing sessional opportunities over a variety of schedules, locations, and activities, enabling everyone irrespective of their family commitments the opportunity to play & learn with others. National Events: YMCA Humber located within the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area, will play an active part in the local armed forces events, and work in close connection with the local forces teams. From supporting local events to pride of place in our annual remembrance ceremonial services, YMCA Humber will remain focused upon the support we can provide service personnel across the Humber region and beyond. Reserves: We will support our staff members who are active members of the Reserve Forces by granting additional leave for annual Reserve Forces training and ensure they and their family are supporting during any periods of deployment focusing upon wellbeing and flexibility. Veterans & Forces Personnel: Our Recruitment Team always recognise military skills and qualifications in our recruitment process; and are an active advocate of the recruitment of service leavers from all forces areas. As a Charity which operates throughout the local community YMCA Humber is honoured to commit to this established covenant and in line with our Christian principles promise that we will treat everyone fairly when they are seeking services across the Humber Region. By signing the covenant, we wholly support the Armed Forces Community and will endeavour to provide fair, transparent, and inclusive opportunities to all those accessing this exceptional service.

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.