Everton in the Community has been awarded Silver from the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in appreciation of its work in providing support to Defence and the wider armed forces community.
The official charity of Everton Football Club is one of 36 organisations from across the Northwest to be recognised with the silver award which acknowledges employers who actively demonstrate support for the Ministry of Defence and its objectives whilst encouraging others to do the same.
Everton in the Community runs a wide array of programmes for ex-service personnel of all ages, offering them the chance to engage with sport, training and social activities with other individuals from military backgrounds, helping them and their families to improve their skills, find employment, avoid potential anti-social behaviour and reduce their likelihood of ill health.
Headed up by former EitC participant and veteran David Curtis, the Everton Veterans’ Hub programme provides one-to-one information, advice and guidance, weekly coffee mornings, referral links, signposting to ex-forces specific organisations and a wide range of physical activity sessions.
Speaking about Everton in the Community being recognised in the Ministry for Defence 2021 Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Awards, Everton Veterans’ Hub Project Coordinator David Curtis said:
“It is an honour for our charity to receive the Silver covenant award and to be recognised for the work we do to support veterans and their families.
“I personally feel very privileged to be in the position I am and to see veterans grow through involvement in the programme and to move forward with their lives in a positive way. Over the next year we will have more and more opportunities to better equip our veteran community on their continued transition out of the forces and give them that much needed helping hand on ‘civvy street’. We look forward to the next chapter of the programme and will work with our partners from across Liverpool City Region to support even more veterans and their families”
Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Leo Docherty added:
“I would like to thank all the organisations who have proven their support for the Defence community during such unprecedented and challenging times. The vast range of those recognised this year demonstrates how employing the Armed Forces community makes a truly positive and beneficial impact for all employers, regardless of size, sector or location.”
Other organisations to be recognised from across the Northwest include Burnley FC in the Community, Cerco IT, Cheshire Constabulary, Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, Halton Veterans Legion, Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group, Peel Ports and Veterans Into Logistics.
For more information visit www.gov.uk/mod/employer-recognition
