A REDENHAM Park-based armed forces charity has been recognised with a top award in a very special year.

Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS), alongside 50 organisations, has been honoured with a gold award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

The accolade, awarded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), praises organisations which actively support the armed forces community in the workplace as part of the Armed Forces Covenant.

Paul Gaffney, DMWS chief executive, said: “It was fantastic news to hear that the Defence Medical Welfare Service has won the Gold Award, under the Employers Recognition Scheme run by the MoD as part of the covenant.”

“We are delighted with this award, as it coincides with our 75th anniversary year and highlights the support that we have given to veterans, reservists and a number of people that we employ within our staff and is a real recognition of what our welfare officers do across the armed forces community.”

DMWS signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2014, which is a promise to those who serve or who have served in the military to ensure they are treated fairly.

The charity hosts initiatives and policies to support service personnel in the workforce, including granting additional leave to reservists so that they can fulfil their training requirements.

To find out more about DMWS go to dmws.org.uk.