Sheffield Hallam shows support to Armed Forces

30th June 2017

Sheffield Hallam University has signed a new covenant as part of its pledge to support the armed forces community.

The Armed Forces Covenant is way for businesses and organisations to demonstrate their support for the military community, by recognising the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring. By signing the covenant, the University agrees to support the armed forces community in a number of ways including supporting employees who choose to be members of the Reserve forces, offering support to local cadet units, actively participating in Armed Forces Day, and working closely to support the work of the Defence and Rehabilitation Centre. Professor Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, signed the covenant at an event at Sheffield City Council. The covenant is held by the Ministry of Defence. The signing was witnessed by Major Lisa Marr, Head of Engagement for the 4th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North East. Major Marr said: "The covenant is a declaration of support for the forces - to serving soldiers and their families, and veterans and their families, right across the region - and we are delighted that Sheffield Hallam University has signed up." Professor Husbands said: -The covenant recognises the vital role of our armed forces and the significant sacrifices they make while in service. -Sheffield Hallam is proud to sign up to the covenant and support members of the armed forces within our University community. Councillor Tony Damms, armed forces champion at Sheffield City Council, said: -This covenant is a key partnership across the city which recognises the work of all our armed services, both past and present. -It also enables better training, development, opportunity and understanding for people when they leave the service. The pledge follows the launch of a new South Yorkshire Armed Forces Covenant Project, led by Sheffield City Council in partnership with Rotherham, Doncaster, and Barnsley councils and two universities, Sheffield Hallam and York St John. More than £180k in funding has been provided from the Ministry of Defence's Covenant Fund to support the project which will help South Yorkshire gain a better understanding of the local Armed Forces community and strengthen the delivery of the Community Covenant. The project will see grant money being spent on research and training at both universities involved.