Great Dawley Town Council in Shropshire were recently awarded Gold in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, becoming one of the first local (parish and town) councils to win such an award. The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire other organisations to do the same.
Over the years, the council have supported the Armed Forces and the community in several parts, including:
- Granting Freedom of the Town to Shropshire Cadet Forces – the highest honour the council can bestow to any individual or organisation.
- Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of VE Day with a virtual street party during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
- Hosting several Armed Forces Evenings to support the local RBL club and Help for Heroes.
- Supporting over 30 high street businesses to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, creating the UK's first Armed Forces Friendly High Street.
Cllr Shaun Davies, chair of Great Dawley Town Council and leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, said: "I am delighted to confirm that Great Dawley Town Council has become one of the first [parish and town council] in the country to be awarded and recognised by the Ministry of Defence as a gold-rated organisation for the work that we do for our armed forces, our veterans and our service personnel. This puts us up there with the likes of the Metropolitan Police, Google, Telford and Wrekin Council and other organisations for being the very, very best type of organisation when it comes to the support that we've rolled out for our armed forces personnel."
Find out more about how Great Dawley Town Council have supported the Armed Forces Community