Moray Armed Forces Covenant Guide launched

An in-depth online guide designed to support Armed Forces personnel and their families in Moray has officially been launched, to coincide with Armed Forces Day.
The Moray Armed Forces Covenant Guide brings together a wide range of services and resources to assist those currently serving, veterans and their families; offering assistance on everything from relocating to the region to education and wellbeing support.

Produced by Moray Council and supported by local Armed Forces Covenant partners, the guide is also available free of charge at local libraries and the Moray Council Headquarters Annexe. Copies are also available specifically for service personnel and veterans at several key locations including RAF Lossiemouth, Kinloss Barracks and the Erskine Veterans Activity Centre in Forres.
The new booklet has been produced at no cost to the public and has been entirely funded through advertising. The online version is available here.

Moray Council Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Peter Bloomfield, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to produce this booklet, which reflects our ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces community in Moray. Whether someone is newly posted here, or has lived in the area for years, the guide will help ensure they know how and where to access the support and services they need.”

Moray Council’s Civic Leader, Cllr John Cowe, added: “The guide brings together vital information in one accessible place, helping ensure that no one feels isolated or unsupported. I am very pleased that we are able to publish this guide and provide it free of charge, and I sincerely hope it helps armed forces families settle in this wonderful part of the world; while signposting former service personnel to valuable resources.”

Commanding Officer of 39 Engineer Regiment, Kinloss Barracks, Lt Col Jamie Walker said: “When service personnel arrive at Kinloss to join the Regiment and their families settle into life in Moray, knowing that the local community is aware of Armed Forces’ needs is vital in helping them adjust smoothly to their new surroundings.
“The continued commitment from Moray Council to support the Armed Forces Covenant is extremely welcome, promoting a more stable firm base environment for our families and allowing our soldiers to stay focused on their duties, whenever and wherever they are needed. I am delighted to support this publication.”

Wing Commander Andrea Dowds, RAF Lossiemouth, remarked: “The Moray Armed Forces Covenant Guide is a perfect ‘welcome to Moray’ for armed forces personnel and their families, and we’re delighted that it is available to those based here at RAF Lossiemouth. I’m certain that it will help those based here feel prepared, informed and part of the wider community.”
First signed in 2012, Moray Council reiterated its support for those serving and veterans in 2021, by signing the revised version of the Armed Forces Covenant. An Armed Forces Covenant Group meets regularly to discuss matters relevant to the community.

The Armed Forces Day Flag will fly above Moray Council’s HQ building in Elgin from 27-30 June, marking Armed Forces Day on Saturday 28 June.

Meanwhile, work is underway on a programme of events to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day across Moray on Friday 15 August.
It commemorates the end of hostilities between the Allied Forces and Japan, effectively bringing World War II to an end.