Armed Forces Covenant
The Armed Forces Covenant is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.
The Community Covenant was adopted by the council in 2013. A re-signing of the Armed Forces Covenant took place on Friday 23 June 2023.
Armed Forces Champion
Cllr Martyn Jones is our armed forces champion. The champion raises the armed forces community’s profile and works for greater understanding and awareness of its issues.
He ensures its interests are properly considered and prioritised in our policies and strategies.
We are proud to reinforce our commitment to supporting our existing servicemen and women and their families, reservists and veterans across Bridgend County Borough who have all made a significant contribution to our communities. Over the last ten years we have developed relationships with the Armed Forces community and other local organisations, providing support with education, health and wellbeing, housing, financial assistance, careers and discounted services, and we will continue to help make it easier to access help and support in the local community.
Useful links
When: Second Saturday of each month
Where: Toby Carvery, Bridgend Industrial Estate, CF31 3UL
An opportunity to meet veterans and serving members of His Majesty’s Armed Forces to network and socialise over breakfast.
The club meet on the second Saturday of each month for breakfast at 09.30hrs.
"It was a pleasure to recently meet with military veterans for breakfast at the Toby Carvery. A fantastic group of veterans who proudly wore their group shirts. If you’re a veteran and would like to meet with former colleagues, you will be most welcome.” – Cllr Martyn Jones, Armed Forces Champion
For more information, please visit the Breakfast Club’s Facebook page: Bridgend Combined Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club.
The Bridgend Armed Forces Forum exists to:
- monitor reaching covenant objectives
- continue to identify the needs of current or former service personnel and families
- consider and assess any bids for the Armed Forces Covenant Grant Scheme for suitability prior to their formal submission
- improve the sharing and recording of information about our armed forces
- Dedicated Armed Forces Support Mentors to welcome and work with you to improve your wellbeing
- FREE access to the gym - over 15 classes a week.
- Organised Social Events
- One-to-One Support
- Weekly Walking Groups
- Employability Skills – e.g. CV Writing and Interview Techniques
- Signposting to support partners who can help overcome barriers such as food, housing, pensions and much more.
- Team Building days can be organised on their own assault course
Address: Bulldogs Development Centre, Fenbrook Close, Port Talbot, SA12 7PA
Telephone:
01639 820103
Email Address: hello@bulldogsbca.org
Facebook: @Bulldogsbca
Address: The Haywain, Coychurch Road, Brackla, Bridgend CF31 2AP
Opening Times 1: Second Saturday each month, 9.30am – 12pm
- Share your stories
- Meet-ups, events and coffee mornings
- Organise, Coordinate and promote events
Address: Clydach Community Hall, Vardre Road, Clydach, Swansea SA6 5LP
Facebook: Clydach and Area Veterans Network
Opening Times 1: Tuesday and Thursday, 10am – 1.30pm
Chat, help, or just a brew.
Address: Lily’s Café, 17 -19 Oxford Street, Pontycymer CF32 8DD
Telephone:
01656 530571
Facebook: Garw Veterans Hub
Opening Times 1: Wednesday, 10.30am – 2.30pm
Good humoured, regiment rivalry and banter guaranteed. Tea, Coffee, Biscuits, chill and chat.
Address: Glynneath Fire and Rescue Station, Wellfield Place, Glynneath, Neath, SA11 5EW
Opening Times 1: Third Friday each month, 6.30 - 8.30
Wild camping, bushcraft and survival skills or pull up a sandbag and have a brew in beautiful woodland.
Email Address: greenvalleybushcraft@gmaim.com
Facebook: Green Valley Outdoors
YouTube: @greenvalleyoutdoors
Opening Times 1: Weekends and evenings
Monthly meets for any UK Armed Forces Veteran of any era, for breakfast, a brew and a good old chin wag.
Address: Ruta Kitchen, 34 Orchard Street, Neath, SA11 1HA
Opening Times 1: Third Saturday of each month, 10am – 12pm
Address: St David's Church Hall, Penprysg Road, Pencoed, CF35 5RA
Facebook: Pencoed Veteran Hub
Opening Times 1: First Saturday of each month
Breakfast and social club.
Address: The Pavillion, Griffin Park, Porthcawl
Facebook: Porthcawl Veterans Hub
Opening Times 1: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Chat, help, or just a brew and bacon roll.
Address: Royal British Legion, Pyle
Facebook: Pyle and Kenfig Veterans Hub
Opening Times 1: Saturday, 10am – 12pm
Address: The Richard Price Community Centre, Bettws Road , Llangeinor , Bridgend, United Kingdom, CF32 8PF
Facebook: Richard Price Hub
Opening Times 1: First Monday of every month, 7pm – 9pm
Veterans community allotment.
Address: Swansea Vale Brewers Fayre, Upper Forest Way, Morriston, Llansamlet, SA6 8WB
Telephone:
01792 311920
Facebook: @afvbc.swansea
Opening Times 1: First Saturday and third Sunday of each month, 9am – 12pm
Facebook: Swansea Valley Armed Forces
Silver Employer Recognition Scheme Award
The Defence Silver ERS Award recognises employers who have demonstrated their support for the Armed Forces community through implementing practical policies in the workplace.
To achieve Silver, organisations must demonstrate that the Armed Forces community are not unfairly disadvantaged as part of their recruitment policies.
They must also actively ensure their workforce is aware of their positive policies towards Defence people issues for Reservists, Veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, and spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.
Bridgend County Borough Council are very proud to be recipients of the Silver Employer Recognition Scheme Award, demonstrating our commitment to the armed forces community, such as through offering leave to our serving reservists and the guaranteed interview scheme.
As an employer we recognise that we have a role to play in helping those leaving the Armed Forces fulfil their potential in civilian life.
We’ve been working with reservists and veterans to learn from them and continue working as organisation that shares similar values to the Armed Forces, whilst offering stability and professional and personal life balance which we have heard are so important.
