Johnnie Johnson Housing is very proud to be one of the thirty-six organisations from across the North West of England that has been awarded Silver under the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme for our support to Defence and the wider Armed Forces community.
The Employer Recognition Scheme was launched to reward employers who support Defence People objectives and encourage others to do the same. This includes employing serving and former members of the Armed Forces community and demonstrating flexibility towards training and mobilisation commitments for Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
Yvonne Castle, CEO at Johnnie Johnson Housing, said: “Our founding father, Air Vice Marshal ‘Johnnie’ Johnson, would be so honoured that we have achieved the Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. As a returning RAF hero from WWII, he originally set up his housing association in 1969 to support those coming out of the Armed Forces. Still to this day, we take his original commitment very seriously and are extremely proud to be recognised as a forces-friendly organisation, both as an employer and an affordable housing service provider.
“We must also commend the work we do with our wider social housing community in our region. As the Armed Forces lead for the Greater Manchester Housing Providers (GMHP) group, we work closely with our GMHP colleagues, who are fully committed to ensuring a fair deal for our serving and veteran forces across the city region. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant individually as well as joining forces and signing together. As a combined force, we champion the cause across the sector.
“We are absolutely delighted to receive the Silver Award and are already looking forward to working towards our Gold Award.”
Commenting on the announcement of the 2021 Employer Recognition Scheme Silver awards; Minister for Defence People and Veterans Minister, Leo Docherty said:
“I would like to thank all the organisations who have proven their support for the Defence community during such unprecedented and challenging times. The vast range of those recognised this year demonstrates how employing the Armed Forces community makes a truly positive and beneficial impact for all employers, regardless of size, sector or location.”
Vicky Doran, Regional Employer Engagement Director at the North West of England and the Isle of Man Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (NW RFCA), said:
“On behalf of the Ministry of Defence, we are honoured to be able to recognise the support and commitment given to the Armed Forces Covenant by employers in the region, through the Employer Recognition Scheme awards. Each recipient has demonstrated not only that they support the Covenant and the Armed Forces community, but also that they are prepared to support their Reservists, Service Leavers, Veterans and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers in the workplace.”