Helpline make commitment to the Armed Forces Community

Helpline has become proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant. Managing Director Maureen Cable yesterday visited Wyvern Barracks in Exeter for the signing ceremony.

Joining her were members of staff Steve Bowden, an RAF Veteran, and Bryony Parkinson, a RAFAC Flight Sergeant at City of Exeter 13 Squadron Air Training Corps.

The Armed Forces Covenant is an agreement between organisations and the Ministry of Defence, whereby employers and other groups commit to honour and support the UK Armed Forces and Armed Forces Community. This support can come in many forms, from actively seeking to offer employment to ex-forces personnel, to encouraging and supporting employees who are interested in being reservists or volunteering for the cadet forces.

For Helpline, signing up to the covenant was an obvious decision, as support for the armed forces has been part of the company’s DNA since its inception. Managing Director, and founder, Maureen Cable said “Coming from a forces family, I have always understood that it is vital we not only recognise the responsibility we have to support those who serve, but also that military veterans often have a huge amount to offer civilian organisations. The skills and experience gained during service are easily overlooked from a civilian perspective, with too many employers not making the effort to harness veteran’s potential by easing a transition in to civilian life. At Helpline we have always actively sought to bring those with military experience on board, and see this covenant as a confirmation of values we have always held.”

Helpline currently employee several ex-service personnel and have two adult volunteers with the air cadets, we are also looking forward to welcoming another former soldier to our team next week, the first hired through the Armed Forces Career Transition Partnership.  Helpline also count a large number of veterans amongst their customer base, and are incredibly proud to be able to help those who served this country to continue living in their own homes with dignity and respect.

Helpline would urge other local business to join them in making this kind of commitment to the Armed Forces Community.