Armed Forces Week Statement from the Chairma and the Armed Forces Commissioner for Norfolk Air Commodore Kevin Pellatt

Chairman of the Council, Cllr Barry Stone said, "Norfolk has a long and proud history of supporting HM Armed Forces community. This continues today with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force at Marham, the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards at Robertson Barracks and the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Anglian Reserve Regiment all calling our county home. Across Norfolk, 1,890 military personnel supported by 430 civilians form an integral part of HM Armed Forces, delivering the F-35 fighter-jet programme, specialist cavalry reconnaissance and dynamic light infantry. Norfolk also offers a temporary base to military units from across the country at the Ministry of Defence's training ground, STANTA, near Thetford.

In this most important year, when we celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Armed Forces Week is an opportunity to acknowledge the commitment and dedication to our country that serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and their families provide.

Norfolk continues to strengthen support to the community through its Armed Forces Covenant commitment.

As Chairman of Norfolk County Council, I would like to acknowledge the continuing vital role that all public sector bodies across the county play in delivering the Covenant. Many of these organisations have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge, which is a public acknowledgement of support. For some, including Norfolk County Council, this is embodied through activity such as offering successful candidates a further career after their service is complete or alongside a reservist role, in recognition of the skills they obtained during their time in the armed forces.

The armed forces community continues to support our county in times of emergency and hardship. It is therefore only fitting that we use this dedicated week to show our appreciation."

Armed Forces Commissioner for Norfolk, Air Commodore Kevin Pellatt said, "As Chairman of the Norfolk Armed Forces Covenant Board, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on three major achievements in delivering support to the armed forces community in our county during the last 12 months.

Firstly, the Covenant Board commissioned Norfolk Insight to produce a needs assessment for the armed forces community in the county. Published in December 2022, the needs assessment provides local authorities and public sector bodies in Norfolk with information about their armed forces community to help inform their policies and decision making.

Secondly, at the request of the Covenant Board, Norfolk was added to the free national Forces Connect app which signposts veterans, armed forces personnel and their families to support and advice in their local area.

Thirdly, the Board established a wellbeing grant programme of up to £60K over two years to fund projects to improve mental health and reduce social isolation in the armed forces community. The projects run by The Bridge for Heroes and The Forces Employment Charity have continued into this year.

This is my final year as Armed Forces Commissioner. I would like to extend the thanks of the Covenant Board to the many individuals and charities operating in Norfolk who strive to support members of the armed forces community, many of which are members of the community themselves. I am truly proud to represent the work of the Covenant in Norfolk and to be delivering the promise of the nation alongside so many dedicated individuals during Armed Forces week 2023 and beyond."