Armed Forces Covenant Pledge

Cruse has signed the Armed Forces Covenant. Here are the details of the pledge:

We commit to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community.

We recognise the contribution that Service personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our organisation, our community and to the country

Section 1: Principles of The Armed Forces Covenant

1.1 We, Cruse Bereavement Support, will endeavour to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant:
• Members of the Armed Forces Community should not face disadvantages arising from their service in the provision of public and commercial services.
• In some circumstances special provision may be justified, especially for those who have given the most, such as the injured or bereaved.

Section 2: Demonstrating our Commitment

2.1 We recognise the contribution that Service personnel, reservists, veterans, the cadet movement and military families make to our organisation, our community and to the country. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant by:
• Continuing to work in line with our vision that we live in a world where everyone grieving is supported, respected and understood, with specific consideration for the Armed Forces Community.
• Working in line with our mission, that we support people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support, information and campaigning, including providing signposting to specialist support for members of the Armed Forces who are bereaved.
• Providing information and support in line with our values. We are kind. We are inclusive. We are ambitious. We are genuine.
• Providing training for Cruse staff and volunteers on the bereavement and the Armed Forces
• Providing expert bereavement and grief information and support for adults, children and young people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Delivering expert training, including Grief Awareness and Grief First Aid, working with organisations, groups and individuals to improve the support and services they provide to bereaved people.
• Inspiring individuals and organisations to support and partner with us so Cruse can provide expert bereavement and grief support in the UK, including organisations linked to the Armed Forces community.
• Recognising that grief can affect a whole family, friends, colleagues, professionals and communities, and the specific and unique aspects of bereavement, grief and mourning that can affect the Armed Forces Community.
• Developing our approach to equity, diversity and inclusion, including specific consideration of the Armed Forces community, and appointing an Armed Forces champion.
• Building on our charity’s strength: our local footprint, our national delivery and the passion and commitment of our volunteers and staff.
• Continuing to develop new ways to support bereaved people from the Armed Forces community, informed by clinical best practice and research, and ensure bereaved people are not alone in their grief.
• Share stories of people from the Armed Forces community we have supported.

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Armed Forces Community and bereaved adults, young people and families on how we are doing.