University of Derby signs Armed Forces Covenant

The University of Derby has signed The Armed Forces Covenant – a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

The University of Derby has signed the Covenant pledging to support members of the Armed Forces community.

Tying in with Armistice Day, a public signing event was held at the University’s Kedleston Road Campus on Wednesday 8 November, when the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kathryn Mitchell, and Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Jenkins from the Army Reserve’s 162 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, signed the Covenant on behalf of the University and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) respectively.

The signing event took place ahead of a lecture on the welfare of military Veterans given by Dr Paula Holt, Pro Vice-Chancellor Dean of the College of Health and Social Care; herself an Army Veteran.

Dr Holt said: “As a University we have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, an agreement that recognises the nation’s moral obligation to members of the Armed Forces and their families, and sets out how they should expect to be treated.

“In the health and care field this means ensuring services and staff meet the needs of both serving Armed Forces personnel and veterans.

“The University is working to support veterans across a range of areas, from mental health to resettlement, something we deem extremely important and worthwhile.”

John Wilson, the MOD’s East Midlands Regional Employer Engagement Director, said: “We are delighted that the University of Derby has joined thousands of public and private sector organisations across the country, including many from the education sector, in signing the Covenant. The pledges of support by the University are important to the wellbeing of Defence personnel. I look forward to developing the relationship that the University has with Defence.”

The University of Derby received £18,824 from the Ministry of Defence’s Armed Forces Covenant grant to run a free short course for veterans and their dependents who want a career in the health and social care sector.

The course, which will start in February 2018, will include workshops and activities run by specialists in their field, giving an insight into areas including nursing, social care, therapies and radiography.

For more information, please email healthandsocialcare@derby.ac.uk.