Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) hosted the latest Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub Event, which took place on 4 November 2022 at Newbury Fire Station, 10am-1pm.
The theme for the event was Armistice Day, which marks the anniversary of when the First World War ended on 11 November 1918. The Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub events are open to all veterans. At this event, attendees were able to speak to a range of organisations and charities that support the armed forces community, including Operation Courage – the NHS service that provides specialist care for those Armed forces veterans suffering from a mental health crisis – and Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.
Wayne Bowcock, Chief Fire Officer, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, attended the event and enjoyed talking to Veterans’. He said: “It was an honour to be able to speak to Veterans in attendance at the Newbury event. RBFRS is committed to supporting our Armed Forces community and also placing fire stations at the heart of our communities.
“Our Armed Forces Veterans Hub events help us to meet both of these commitments, and I hope they add value to the lives of Veterans through the network of people and sources of support.”
The Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub was launched in the Royal County of Berkshire on 7 November 2020 following receipt of the Gold Award in the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme. This affirms the Fire Authority and Service’s ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces community.
- The Service received the Gold Award in the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme in August 2018 after signing the Armed Forces Covenant in 2017.
- The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community.
- For more information on how the Service supports the Armed Forces, please visit our Armed Forces webpage on RBFRS website.
- In 2022, Armed Forces Veterans’ Hub Events have also taken place at Whitley Wood Fire Station and Maidenhead Fire Station.