Council’s support for veterans seeking information on key services

Working closely with Veterans’ Commissioner Danny Kinahan, the council is developing a website for early 2021 to signpost the borough’s former service personnel towards the relevant financial, legal, housing and mental health support available to them.

Alderman Paul Michael is the council’s veterans champion and acts as a point of contact for those seeking assistance.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Jim Montgomery said “The Armed Forces Covenant says that ‘Together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who 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’.

“As a society we must take that obligation seriously, and treat it as a solemn promise.

“Many Veterans face hardship after leaving service. We must try and remove any stigma attached to asking for help and promote the services widely available to those who served and I’m proud the Council is working actively in partnership with the Veterans’ Commissioner for Northern Ireland and The Northern Ireland Veterans Support Office.”

Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland Danny Kinahan said: “I am really pleased to see Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council leading the way in providing support to our veterans, and I look forward to seeing all Councils doing the same and recognising the immense contribution that our veterans have made on behalf of all of us.”