THE South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust and the British Army have jointly signed an Armed Forces Covenant at a ceremony at the trust's HQ.

Chief executive Will Warrender was joined by Lieutenant Colonel Adam Brown and Captain Ben Kirby – representing the local detachment of The Wessex Reserve Forces' & Cadets' Association Regiment – to sign the covenant on behalf of the trust.

The signing shows the trust’s commitment to honour the support the armed forces community, recognising the value serving personnel, both regular and reservists, veterans and military families contribute to the trust as well as the country.

Will Warrender said: “We are delighted to join with our colleagues from the armed forces to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.

“As a trust, we recognise that working closely has great value for our patients, armed forces personnel, veterans and our staff who through this partnership, have access to high quality training. We look forward to building on this foundation significant event.”

Nationally, the covenant is a promise from the nation to those who serve or who have served (as regulars, reservists, Armed Service-leavers) and their families, which says the trust will do all it can to ensure they are treated fairly and not disadvantaged in their daily lives.

The trust is now committed through the covenant, to supporting its employees as reservists and veterans.

Will, who had a long career in the Royal Navy, added: “As a veteran myself, I appreciate the importance of the trust signing this. Military links in the region are strong and many people we support are veterans, serving, or members of military families.

“Under the covenant we acknowledge these people should not be disadvantaged as a consequence of their time in the Armed Forces. We hope this agreement will also strengthen our links with the armed forces as an added benefit.”

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 and that includes healthcare.

It relies on the people, communities and businesses of the UK to actively support it in order to make a difference. To find out more visit www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk