J Taylor

Conquering the Abyss webinar

Over 35 young professionals joined a special webinar to learn more about skills to overcome challenges in their careers. West Midland RFCA ran the event in partnership with the Future Finest group at Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce. Guests were invited to listen to three military personnel who shared their experiences and insights into managing challenges and dealing with the unknown. Siamha Butt, Head…

RFCA supports Art4Charity

Key members of the Birmingham community have come together to support a unique arts initiative to raise funds for local charities. Art4Charity, a concept created by Professor Paul Cadman, Nathaniel Hanna, Nick Herd and Nik Kendall, uses the creative skills and talent of artists and creatives across Birmingham to raise funds for local causes. The ‘Forward in Unity’ mural is their latest project to…

Cadet hut receives makeover

Refurbishment works at an Army Cadet Force (ACF) building in Staffordshire will bring a fresh start for their cadets once they are able to return to face-to-face activities. The centre, which is based at Pinnox Street in Stoke-on-Trent, is home to the Tunstall ACF Detachment, part of the Staffordshire and West Midlands (North Sector) ACF. As a 1970s ‘Spooner’ type hut, the timber-clad…

Warwickshire cadets appointed to prestigious roles

Five young people from Warwickshire were honoured by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Timothy Cox CStJ, for their outstanding service in the cadet forces and youth organisations. With the suspension of face-to-face activities for our cadet forces and lockdown measures over this year, Warwickshire and West Midlands (South Sector) Army Cadet Force took the opportunity to move their usual Warwickshire Lord-Lieutenants’ Cadets investiture ceremony…

West Midlands Employers celebrated with virtual event for support to Armed Forces

Twenty-two organisations from across the West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) region have been celebrated for achieving their Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Awards in a special virtual event. A further three organisations were also celebrated for having their Silver Awards from 2015 re-validated. West Midland RFCA would like to congratulate all of their region’s winners for achieving their Silver Awards as…

West Midland RFCA celebrates Black History Month with webinar

On 14th October West Midland RFCA hosted a webinar to celebrate Black History Month.  The keynote speaker at the event was Horace Barnes, Chairperson at Why Are West Indian (WAWI) project.  The WAWI Project is a voluntary organisation set up in 2009 to offer workshops to schools and to bring communities together. The presentation by Horace Barnes covered some of the history of…

The Armed Forces Covenant: Employer Benefits by Harrison Clark Rickerbys

One of our supportive employers and Gold Award holder on the Employer Recognition Scheme have put together the article below to highlight the benefits of the Armed Forces Covenant to other organisations. The Armed Forces Covenant is the nation’s commitment to those who protect us. It is a pledge that your organisation understands that those who serve or have served deserve to be…

South Staffordshire College signs Armed Forces covenant

South Staffordshire College recognises the value serving military personnel, Reservists, veterans and their families bring not just to our society, but also to our college. It is therefore with great pleasure; South Staffordshire College announces it has signed the Armed Forces Covenant. The Armed Forces Covenant represents a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve, or have served, and their families,…

Birmingham UOTC Leadership Address General (Retd) David Petraeus

On Wednesday 28th October, retired U.S. 4* General, and honorary Professor of the University of Birmingham, General David Petraeus spoke to a large group of Officer Cadets on the topic of strategic leadership. The event was chaired by Professor David Dunn of the University of Birmingham and organised by Birmingham University Officer Training Corps. General Petraeus served for over 37 years in the…

West Midlands Combined Authority praised for its support of the Armed Forces

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has earned a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award for its commitment to recruiting and supporting ex-servicemen and women and Reservists. Following on from signing the Armed Forces Covenant and being awarded Bronze last year the prestigious Silver award now recognises the WMCA as an organisation that is actively supporting the Armed Forces community, has put positive human…