Reserve Forces

Covenant Trust supports 100 positive projects in Forces communities during Covid pandemic

The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has awarded more than £859,000 to 100 projects focused on bringing our Forces communities together during the Covid-19 pandemic. With various social restrictions still in place across the county, the Trust were keen to support engaging and enjoyable projects that sought to overcome the current challenges we are all facing and deliver activities that bring…

Employer Recognition Scheme revalidation awards announced

Five supportive employers across the West Midlands region have been re-awarded their Gold and Silver Awards as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. The Employer Recognition Scheme acknowledges employers who have provided exceptional support to the Armed Forces community. The Gold and Silver Awards are reviewed every five years, and requires each organisation to resubmit an application to be considered by a…

West Midlands Soldiers prepare to deploy to Poland

Army Reservists from the Royal Yeomanry in Dudley and Telford have completed two weeks’ training which will help prepare them for a six-month NATO mission to Eastern Europe in the autumn. The Royal Yeomanry soldiers will form part of the UK’s commitment to NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence in Eastern Europe. The deployment, known as Operation Cabrit, will reinforce NATO’s deterrence posture by demonstrating…

West Midlands employers recognised by Ministry of Defence Awards for support to Armed Forces

Twenty-two organisations from across the West Midland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association’s (West Midland RFCA) region have been recognised by the Ministry of Defence for their support to the Armed Forces. West Midland RFCA would like to congratulate all of their region’s winners for achieving their Silver Awards as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). The organisations are spread across all…

127 new employers awarded for supporting the Armed Forces community

The most supportive organisations for Britain’s Armed Forces such as Microsoft Ltd, Greater Manchester Police and the Post Office from both the private and public sectors have been announced today, 30 July 2020. The Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards continues to grow in strength year on year.  To win an award organisations must demonstrate that they provide ten extra paid days leave for…

Highways England pledges lifelong support for the Armed Forces

Highways England recently announced a package of support for serving and ex-forces personnel and their families by re-signing its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. Originally signed in 2017, the agreement recognises the remarkable contribution of regulars, Reservists, veterans and the families who support them.  This includes additional leave for training, support for those with family away on service and recruitment efforts to…

Armed Forces Week 2020

Armed Forces Week from 22nd – 27th June was a chance to celebrate our Armed Forces and the role they play in protecting the UK both at home and overseas. The week not only celebrated serving personnel, both regular and reserve, but also those who make up the wider Armed Forces community including veterans, military spouses, cadets and cadet force adult volunteers. Due…

WMG lecturer deployed as Army reservist to help Scotland fight Covid-19

Major Gary Bilsbarrow, a Senior Lecturer at Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), University of Warwick, has been mobilised as an Army Reservist to Edinburgh to use his expertise to support the Scottish Government and NHS in their fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Gary lectures in Supply Chain and Logistics Management at WMG.  He is currently using his skills and experience as a logistician to…

Midlands Soldiers help battle Covid-19 in the capital

Soldiers from a Worcestershire-based Army Reserve Regiment are currently deployed in the heart of London, helping with the military response to Coronavirus. Based out of Horse Guards Parade and Wellington Barracks, the troops from 37 Signal Regiment, whose HQ is in Redditch, are playing a key role, ensuring that communications systems for the Army in London are maintained. The soldiers’ IT expertise provides…