Earlier this year we were delighted to sign the Armed Forces Covenant at RAF Shawbury to demonstrate the firm’s commitment to help those who have served our country.

As a leading law firm in Shropshire, we are proud to offer our services to the Operations Group for the Armed Forces Community Covenant in a county that goes beyond and above to support those that have served.

Image courtesy of the Ministry of Defence more here

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise between the nation, government and armed forces themselves to help members of the armed forces community by making sure they have the same access to government and commercial services as well as access to products that other citizens have. This includes services such as help in finding a home, starting a new career and financial assistance. The Covenant is there to help any member of the armed forces including family members, reservists and the bereaved. As of this year, there are 2000 signatories to the Covenant including businesses of all sizes, charities, communities, local councils, central government and cadet forces who all honour their commitment to help and support the armed forces.

Lanyon Bowdler: Our Pledge

As a full service firm, we know that armed forces personnel can be confronted with issues that can affect their day to day life. We are proud to offer our services to manage and help those who need our help most by offering our specialist advice. Signing the Armed Forces Covenant lets us give practical help back to those who have served their country and to their families.

Shropshire Council: Their Commitment

Shropshire Council has been leading the way in how practical support can be put in place for veterans within Shropshire and beyond. Since May 2017 the council have been leading an operations group that brings together members of Shropshire council, SSAFA, Help for Heroes, Combat Stress, Royal British Legion, local military regiments, Enable, Walking with the Wounded, Confide, Veterans UK, representatives from West Mercia Constabulary, Probation Service and Lanyon Bowdler.

We are incredibly proud to be part of this dedicated group that meets each month. Through the group we offer legal support and practical advice to veterans and service personnel. Involvement has also meant that we can ensure that we signpost and refer existing veteran clients to the correct support and offer a more holistic service to such clients. 
Shropshire Council’s initiative in setting up the operation group and bringing together support for veterans is a first and has been very successful. The Operations group enables those that support the armed forces to work together to ensure the right support is put in place for veterans. The council are very pleased to be able to take this further with the creation of a hub within Shrewsbury town centre where veterans can access the broad range of support offered by the operations group. Lanyon Bowdler will be offering access to a legal advice at the hub each month.

The Next Step

Shropshire Council will shortly be finalising plans for the location of the hub, once up and running this will provide a one stop shop for anyone seeking further information and support from Shropshire Council and other local signatories to the Covenant, such as Lanyon Bowdler. The Council are now looking for two friendly and hospitable individuals with good communication skills to head up the hub as an Armed Forces Covenant Project Support Officer and an Armed Forces Veterans Co-ordinator. Their roles will include promotion and awareness of the hub’s services as well as developing and delivering high customer service.

Details of the roles can be found here

We look forward to working with the individuals recruited for the roles and continuing to support the Armed Forces within Shropshire.