LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUP, BELFAST HUBB, PROUD TO SIGN THE ARMED FORCES CONVENANT AND COMMIT TO FURTHER SUPPORTING MILITARY PERSONNEL.

Based in Lower North Belfast, The HUBB Community Resource Centre, is a social regeneration charity that works to deliver real benefits to local people.  Focused on Peace, Place and Prosperity, The HUBB supports people from all backgrounds within the local area and have in place a 5 year strategic plan with a key element involving the development of a flag ship multi-purpose community facility which will house: business units, a family centre, youth facilities including education and training provision and several multi-functional areas for groups of all ages within the community.  

Since 2011, when the concept was enshrined into law, the Armed Forces Covenant reinforced the moral obligation between nation, government and the Armed Forces which has since seen UK organisations of all sizes commit to treating our Armed Forces Personnel, and their families, fairly.

The government is committed to supporting the Armed Forces community by working with a range of partners who have signed the Covenant, with the Covenant involving stakeholders nationally, including businesses, local authorities, charities, and the public too.

In addition, the Government has committed millions of pounds in funding to ensure veterans’ mental health, accommodation, and childcare, among other issues, is well catered for and funded.

Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, Dr Andrew Murrison said:

“Today we welcome the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant by the Belfast HUBB Community in Northern Ireland The brave men and women of our Armed Forces sacrifice much in the service of their country, so it is only right we ensure that they and their families are supported.

That is why the Covenant is so important, and by working alongside all the partners and organisations that have signed so far, we can ensure that the UK’s promise to them is upheld”

Belfast HUBB, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Upon discovering that registered charities could sign the Armed Forces Covenant, we were determined to sign it.  Together with our board members and old comrades group, supported by Athene Gordon, Head of Engagement, RFCA NI, we were able to glide through the process”.

Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Thomas MBE commented ”On behalf of the Armed Forces Family in Northern Ireland can I thank Jim Crothers, Jim Clarke and the Belfast HUBB for their public support in the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant. The Covenant focusses on helping members of the Armed Forces community have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen.

This support is provided in a number of areas including: education and family well-being/having a home/starting a new career/ access to healthcare/financial assistance and discounted services. I was particularly struck by some of the similaries between the Armed Forces and Belfast HUBB’s ethos as a confident community where people aspire to and achieve physical, social and economic regeneration.

Joining the services is very similar in that we are a community who aspire and achieve physical, social and possibly economic growth – if not always regeneration”.

Following the official signing the audience were invited to the beautiful St Anne’s Cathedral were they enjoyed a fantastic evening of spectacular music delivered by the best band in the army! …The Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment.