A former Army Cadet is one of a huge number of volunteers and cadet instructors who have stepped up to help provide virtual activities for young people in his local community, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Staff Sergeant Instructor Benjamin Dean joined his local Army Cadet Force (ACF) detachment in 2008. As a senior cadet, he discovered he had a passion for teaching others, so much so, that he chose to re-join as an adult instructor in 2013, eventually becoming the Detachment Commander of Ledbury Platoon.
Talking about his time in the cadets, Benjamin said, “I enjoyed being part of the cadets much more when I was passing my knowledge on to the younger cadets. Now this feeling has been emphasised more so, as I can now watch every generation that I instruct progress through the ACF and onto greater things.”
Outside of the cadets, Benjamin owns his own bakery selling bread and other products to the catering industry, as well as to local shops. Inspired by his eight years as a chef he took his passion of baking further and started up his new self-employed business venture just under two years ago.
The past year has proved difficult for businesses, with the retail and hospitality sector particularly feeling the strain of the Covid-19 restrictions and closures. “At the current moment with the pandemic it has had its challenges, but with the passion I have for my business I am doing whatever I can to keep it moving in a positive direction.” Benjamin added.
The pandemic has also affected the community, with local youth groups and voluntary organisations all having to cease face-to-face contact. With the help of technology, most have turned to the virtual world and embraced the innovations it can bring to stay in touch with others.
With creative thinking, the cadet forces across the UK have managed to turn weekly physical parade nights into a huge range of virtual activities. Exercise challenges, quizzes, STEM activities, competitions and training have all become virtual sessions, all put together by the team of volunteers that help keep the Cadet Forces running.
Benjamin is one of 198 volunteers in Hereford & Worcester ACF who have been working hard to balance their work, home life and often home-schooling and caring commitments, alongside their role with the Army Cadet Force. This has involved planning virtual training for cadets, personal update training, training for adult volunteers and keeping in touch with the families of their cadets.
When asked how he is finding balancing the virtual training with his work/home life at present, Benjamin said “For me personally, doing the cadet virtual training has fitted in with my outside cadet life reasonably well.
“It has been tiring at some points to do both but I know there are other instructors that are working even more than usual at the moment, and have a lot more to do at home. I think being able to do both myself at present will in turn hopefully help the other instructors with more on their plates to feel at ease.”
Later this year, if restrictions allow, the Cadet Forces will be able to resume their normal activities. The Army Cadets not only provides an opportunity for young people to develop confidence, qualifications, try new sports and make new friends, but also enhances the skill sets of the volunteers. It is also a rewarding experience to see the positive impact on the young people’s lives.
Benjamin’s most memorable volunteering experience with the Army Cadets was as Directing Staff on the Junior Cadet Instructor Cadre at annual camp. Having missed out on this course as a cadet, it took on a special meaning to see it from the perspective of an adult instructor.
“As an adult I felt I was experiencing what I missed out on. Being there to guide the Junior Non-Commissioned Officers in their teaching journey was brilliant. I enjoy it all – everything is memorable and enjoyable, and the vast amount of subjects, experiences and skills that the cadets and adults can do is mind blowing.”
Explaining more about why he would recommend others to follow in his volunteering footsteps, Ben commented, “It’s about enjoying the success of others, the enjoyment of gaining new friends from the county and self-progression.
“You watch the growth of the cadets that you’ve taught from the start, and see how much they have progressed from your leadership and teaching. You also expand your friendship base and meet new people, and they teach you new ways of learning and share experiences.
“The Army Cadets also helps to push you out of your comfort zone and do things you wouldn’t get to do normally in life. You can also gain new qualifications with a great support network. It can provide you with everything you are looking for when you join; whether you have served in the Armed Forces before, are an ex-cadet like myself, whether you have children, act as a guardian, anything… there is no bias, just a place for everyone.
“This year in particular it has been important to support the cadets, not only to give them something to engage with and lift their spirits, but for that ‘lead by example’ motto. I think if the cadets can see their regular instructors getting involved and making the best of the time we are in, then they will be inspired to join in as well!”
Hereford & Worcester Army Cadet Force is home to 20 separate detachments spread across two counties. By building confidence, having fun and teaching lifelong skills, they help to develop and support the young people in their community.
You can find out more about the Cadet Forces on our webpage.