ORGANISATIONS in the region are pledging their support to the Armed Forces.

Armed Forces Day takes place on the last Saturday each June, and this year is taking place on June 26.

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) is marking the event by celebrating the recent launch of a new Staff Network for veterans and other employees who have links with the armed forces.

The Network aims to ensure the Trust provides sufficient support to staff who are connected with the armed forces.

The Trust said it will meet regularly, and be open to staff who are part of the reserves or cadets, who have served within any branch of the armed forces, and those with family or partners who are currently serving or veterans.

CNTW is a provider of mental health and disability services across the North of England, and provides specialist services for veterans who are experiencing severe mental health problems.

Richard Llloyd, co-Chair for the new Staff Network and who joined the NHS in 2016 after a 28-year career in the Army, said: "I am delighted that we have recently set up a Staff Network for Armed Forces and Veterans at CNTW. I hope that, like our existing Staff Networks for BAME, LGBT+, and disabled staff, it will help us to better serve and support our colleagues and services users who have links to the armed forces."

In 2018, Northumberland County Council received the Gold award by the Ministry of Defence in its Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme.

Now, it wants every business in the county to sign up to the Covenant.

The Covenant seeks to remove disadvantage and ensure that those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.