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…
Leading Aircraftman Keith Herman from No. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron RAF Reserves recently completed the Deployed Skills Course element of his chef training. Run by 504 Squadron at RAF Wittering, the course is designed to prepare personnel, Regular and Reserve alike, to deploy into any environment and establish a functioning field kitchen within two hours. One of the challenges of the course…
From today, we are joining a national celebration of those employers in our region who have achieved the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold award, the Ministry of Defence’s highest level of recognition for employers who support and advocate for the Armed Forces Community. There will unfortunately not be an awards ceremony this year due to the Covid-19 restrictions, but we still want to…
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of women being deployed at sea in the Royal Navy, we’re shining a spotlight on inspirational women in the Navy and their fantastic achievements. One of these inspirational servicewomen is Commodore Mel Robinson (ADC MSc FCIPD), the current Commander of the Maritime Reserves. Commissioned in 1993 as a warfare officer, she served in a number of frigates and…
On the 30 year anniversary of the Royal Navy allowing women to go to sea on deployments, over 40 women currently serving on the UK support ship RFA Argus came together to mark the date. RFA Argus is a multi-role support ship which is both the home and work-place for a variety of sailors and military personnel, and women fulfil a diverse range…
In March 2020, everything changed as the Covid-19 pandemic gripped the world, and as the implementation of lockdown measures began, requests for assistance were received daily. Thankfully, the Operations Team at 37th Signal Regiment, amongst others, had prepared for such requests. The Regiment was able to respond quickly, leading to the first team of five Reservists heading to London in late March. Ths…
Trentham-based Acacia Training receives recognition for providing exceptional support to the Armed Forces community and now holds a Bronze award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). The company, which provides apprenticeships and work based training, earned the accolade by demonstrating through it’s culture, policies and procedures that it is ‘forces-friendly’ and is open to employing Reservists, Armed Forces veterans, cadet instructors and…
An innovative new heating system is bringing a positive environmental impact to the Defence volunteer estate in the West Midlands region. Our Association’s Estates team, whose role includes overseeing the upkeep of some 30 tri-service Reserve Centres and providing support and maintenance to 250 Cadet units on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, highlighted issues relating to the efficiencies and maintenance of the…
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…
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…
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