Join us in proudly supporting Armed Forces Week 2021
Helping you to show your support
Welcome to this special East Anglia Supportive Employers Armed Forces Week website. It has been created by Focus7 as a Gold ERS Award holder and an advocate for Defence People to help you and your colleagues get involved in this important week of national celebrations.
Three big dates for your diary
1. Monday June 21 – Armed Forces Flag Day
Armed Forces Day celebrations begin on Monday 21 June when the Armed Forces Day flag is raised on buildings and famous landmarks around the country.
Show your support for the men and women of the Armed Forces: from currently serving Troops to Service Families, Veterans, Reservists, Cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. Salute your Armed Forces flag and share it on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #SaluteOurForces; you can also follow us on YouTube.
2. Wednesday June 23 – Reserves Day
Reservists give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career to ensure that should their country require them, they would be ready to serve. An annual Reserves Day celebrates their contribution to the Armed Forces.
Many people refer to this as Wear Your Uniform to Work Day, because it’s an opportunity to do just that! We’d love to see as many uniforms, medals, caps or regimental blazers as possible, and all shared via social media with the hashtag #ReservesDay. Please encourage as many participants as possible including, of course, Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
3. Saturday June 26 – Armed Forces Day
On Saturday 26 June it is important, now more than ever, that we come together to recognise the efforts of the Armed Forces and show our appreciation for all the work they do. Although Armed Forces Day events may still be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, there are still ways that you can show your support in 2021. There are many exciting events planned across the country to mark Armed Forces Day 2021. Find your local event and keep updated on plans here.
Or simply send us a photo or video of yourself or your friends and colleagues saluting on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #SaluteOurForces; or you can also follow us on YouTube.
Giving something back with Defence Discounts
Are you one of the increasing number of businesses offering Defence Discounts?
Armed Forces week is a brilliant time to get behind this initiative, which means that members of the Armed Forces community receive discounts on everything from haircuts and online shopping to business products and services.
Discover more here.
Have you signed the Armed Forces Covenant?
You may already represent one of the 7,000 UK businesses that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant. If so, you’ll know that it is a promise from the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their Families, are treated fairly. If you haven’t yet signed, and would like to discover more, you’ll find everything you need to know here.
Would you like your values as an employer to be recognised?
Focus7 was proudly awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) prestigious Gold award in 2019. This Scheme was created to recognise employers that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support for the Armed Forces community, including Reservists. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards to businesses and organisations that align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant. You can find out how to get involved and receive recognition here.
Armed Forces Day is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving Troops to Service Families, Veterans, Reservists, Cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. And what an unprecedented year for the Armed Forces it has been!
Throughout the pandemic, the Armed Forces have support has ranged from driving ambulances, to airlifting medical supplies, to building NHS Nightingale hospitals. The work of Armed Forces Doctors and Nurses has been instrumental in supporting the NHS. Reservists and Regulars alike have found themselves deployed across the UK and beyond to support the government’s response to COVID-19, including logistical planners supporting councils rolling out testing programmes, drivers, engineers and musicians who have been deployed to support testing sites, and many more.
The Armed Forces have also been supporting the transport of supplies, including tests, PPE and vaccines, to our overseas territories, including the Caribbean, Ascension Islands and Falkland Islands, also the repatriation flights at the start of the pandemic by bringing British citizens home from across the world where they were stranded.
Showing recognition and gratitude for the Armed Forces provides a much valued morale boost for the troops and their families.
Here are some ways to take part:
A source of great talent
We’d like to take this opportunity to highlight the value that Service Leavers, Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers offer to employers. Their many attributes include, but are certainly not limited to, highly sought-after vocational, leadership and management, problem-solving and team-working skills. The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) connects thousands of capable individuals to business and organisations. If you are not yet involved, you can discover more here. If you would like to access a talent pool of Service Spouses you can sign up with the Forces Families Jobs website.
21 - 26 JUNE 2021
Rose Builders based in Essex were successfully awarded the Gold Employer Recognition Scheme Award in 2020. This is what Steven Rose, Managing Director of Rose Builders had to say about this achievement
Why don’t you get involved too and receive recognition here, or you can download the information pack directly (opens in a new window).
Come and meet us in a virtual space
On the 10th, 17th and 24th June between 1400 hrs and 1600 hrs, we will be offering Zoom drop in sessions for employers who would like to ask us any questions about how to get involved in celebrations, sign the Armed Forces Covenant, apply for the Employer Recognition Scheme, or simply chat to us.
Meeting ID: 930 3294 3708
Passcode: 091412
We very much look forward to speaking to you!
Twitter Thunderclap
If you don’t have a flagpole to fly the flag you can join us on our Twitter Thunderclap and raise a virtual flag. Help us create a virtual sonic boom saluting our guys and girls who really deserve it – let’s make it happen for them! Simply copy, paste and schedule the Tweet below for 1100 hrs on Monday 21st June.
It’s the start of Armed Forces Week! We look forward to celebrating your support for the men and women of our Armed Forces. @EAEmployers #SaluteOurForces