Armed Forces Covenant re-signed at formal ceremony
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has demonstrated its support for the armed forces community by renewing its pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant which it first signed in 2017.
Recognising the value that serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to the community, the covenant is a written voluntary pledge from businesses and charitable organisations who wish to demonstrate their support.
The pledge commits signatories to ensuring members of the armed forces community are treated fairly, and not disadvantaged in their day-to-day lives compared to their peers, especially those who have given the most, such as the injured or the bereaved.
At a special ceremony, the covenant was re-signed by Colonel Darren Doherty, Commander North West Region, and UCLan’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin.
"Reservists, veterans and their families have a great deal to contribute to our University but may also need additional support or special consideration to ensure they reach their potential. "
— Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin
Commenting on the importance of the covenant pledge, Colonel Doherty said: “Serving in the armed forces can be very different and pose very different challenges for serving personnel and their families. Making sure that these people aren’t disadvantaged by providing that service in which they give everything to the country, means that sometimes they need different treatment to resettle back into society, hence the importance of the Armed Forces Covenant.”
UCLan Vice-Chancellor Graham Baldwin added: “I am delighted to reaffirm our pledge to support students and staff from the armed forces community. Reservists, veterans and their families have a great deal to contribute to our University but may also need additional support or special consideration to ensure they reach their potential. This re-signing really underlines our commitment to help all those who have given so much for their country.”
Fewer children from armed forces families progress to higher education than their peers due to factors including mobility, separation and caring responsibilities.
Adopting the Covenant principles ensure students and staff from military backgrounds get the necessary support, including flexibility in granting leave for service parents, spouses and partners, and accommodating reservist training and deployment where possible.
Further information on how the University supports military veterans and their families can be found here.
