As part of Torbay Council’s commitment to its Armed Forces Military Covenant, a second ‘festive’ coffee morning will be taking place for local armed forces families on Wednesday 10 December at 10.30am in the café at Torre Abbey Historic House,Torquay.

This follows the highly successful first coffee morning, which was kindly hosted by veteran, Paul Lloyd, and took place in September.

Anyone who has a family member currently serving in the armed forces can pop along to Torre Abbey Tea Rooms. Tea, coffee and refreshments will be available from 10.30am.

This is a chance for people who have a relative in the armed forces to get together and share their experiences, make new friends and find out more about Torbay’s Military Covenant.

If you would like to attend, please email Rebecca Sanders on Rebecca.Sanders@torbay.gov.uk or call 01803 207957 by Wednesday 3 December to confirm your place.

Notes to editors

Torbay Council has signed up to Devon County Council’s Armed Forces Community Covenant which is a promise of support to local servicemen and women, veterans and their families.

The Covenant was drawn up following a meeting between Torbay Council, local charities and voluntary sector organisations and personnel from the serving military community. It was agreed that Torbay should work closely with Devon County Council on designated themes but would apply their action plan for Torbay.

An official signing took place at Torquay Town Hall on Friday 14 December 2012 with Torbay’s Mayor Gordon Oliver; Cllr Nicole Amil, Torbay’s Armed Forces Champion; Cllr Mark Kingscote, Torbay’s Heritage and Civic Lead Member; Cllr Roger Croad, Armed Forces Champion for Devon County Council; and on behalf of the military Major Roy Jones, Quartermaster 6 RIFLES, and Lieutenant Commander Steve Henaghen, First Lieutenant, Britannia Royal Naval College.

Current servicemen and women, armed forces support organisations, public services, community groups and charities were asked to share their knowledge, experience and personal views with the task group. The purpose was to help identify how local organisations can work together to improve services to meet the needs of Torbay’s armed forces community, and help them better integrate with civilian life, as well as encourage wider community support.

The agreed set of pledges have been designed to encourage closer relationships between local civilian communities and the county’s large military community. Aimed at businesses, voluntary and community groups, public sector organisations, individuals and those in the armed forces, the recommendations seek to help those in the armed forces and their families to ensure they are not disadvantaged due to their military lives. This includes practical challenges relating to health care, housing and education, as well as other less seen challenges such as integration into the local community