Loomshed Brewery has become the first business on Harris to sign the Armed Forces Covenant.
In doing so, the Tarbert craft brewery has made a commitment to support the country’s servicemen and women wherever and however it can and to ensure no member of the Armed Forces should suffer any disadvantage as a result of their service.
The Covenant was signed by the brewery’s Managing Director Rob McKinnon and co-signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) by Lieutenant Colonel Matt Sheldrick, the Commanding Officer of 7 SCOTS (pictured, above).
The signing took place during an employer engagement evening held in Stornoway on 15 October. Among those attending was the Lord Lieutenant for the Western Isles, Donald Martin.
More than 4,000 UK organisations have now signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
Loomshed Brewery’s commitment to honouring the Covenant includes pledges to:
- Promote the fact it is an Armed Forces-friendly organisation.
- Seek to support the employment of veterans young and old and work with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), in order to establish a tailored employment pathway for Service Leavers.
- Strive to support the employment of Service spouses and partners.
- Offer support to local cadet units.
- Aim to actively participate in Armed Forces Day.
- Offer a discount to members of the Armed Forces Community.
The Outer Hebrides has proved to be a very supportive environment for Reservists, with a steady rise over the last few years of the number attesting with C Company of 7 SCOTS in Stornoway.
There are now three Reservists living and working on Harris and several organisations on the island are interested in signing the Covenant, including Harris Distillers and Essence of Harris.
Ten organisation on neighbouring Lewis have signed the AFC.
For more information on the Armed Forces Covenant contact Highland RFCA Regional Employer Engagement Director Jim Dickie on 01382 631026 or email [email protected]. To find out more about the Loomshed Brewery, go to: www.loomshed.scot
