West Midland RFCA

School gives thanks to those who serve

A Birmingham-based school is one of the latest education providers to formally pledge its support to the wider forces community. King Solomon International Business School in Aston teaches children from foundation year through to sixth form.  Offering a wide and vibrant curriculum, the school’s key visions and values are to promote diversity, peace, kindness and mutual respect – based on the virtues associated…

Black Country and West Birmingham NHS pledges support to Armed Forces community

On Monday 8th November we welcomed seven NHS organisations from the Black Country and West Birmingham Integrated Care System (ICS) to sign the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) at a virtual signing. This is the first ICS to sign up to the Covenant within the West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association’s (RFCA) region. The Black Country and West Birmingham ICS comprises 15 local…

Record breaking fifty employers receive coveted Ministry of Defence Award

Fifty employers from the West Midlands region have received their Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Awards from West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (West Midland RFCA). The ERS was launched in 2014 to recognise employer support for the wider principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for the employers that pledge, demonstrate…

Employers recognised for long-term support to Armed Forces

Two organisations from the West Midlands have achieved the highest honour available for companies who support Defence – for the second time. Bureau Veritas UK and Pertemps Limited have both previously been awarded a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold in 2017 for their outstanding support towards the Armed Forces community. In the five years since they were originally awarded the accolades, their continued…

Shropshire businesses sign up to support forces

Over 70 members from Shropshire’s business and voluntary sectors came together for a breakfast event to share best practice and learn more about supporting the Armed Forces community. Held at Bligny House Army Reserve Centre in Shrewsbury, home of E Company 8 Rifles, the early morning Shropshire Business Breakfast networking event was a joint partnership between our Association, Shropshire Council and Telford &…

The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO launches YOU West Midlands

On Thursday 16th September 2021 The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO officially launched Youth Organisations in Uniform West Midlands (YOU West Midlands) at a special event during his visit to Birmingham YOU West Midlands is a collaboration of the 11 Youth Organisations in Uniform across Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton, who currently comprise some 20,000 young people The 11 Youth…

4 MERCIAN complete adventure training

Over the summer more than 20 members of 4 MERCIAN HQ Company took part in adventure training at the Pioneer Centre near Wolverhampton. This opportunity was partially funded by West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association and provided a great opportunity for team building, especially for the new recruits. Private James Cooling tells us more about the day: “The day started with the…

Community events round-up

One of the key outputs of our Association is our work to advocate and promote support for the Reserves, cadets and wider military family.  This involves working with employers, local authorities, youth and the wider communities on different projects and events to raise awareness and develop new relationships between the military and civilian communities. Over the past 18-months face-to-face activities have been largely…

Football event aims to break down inequality barriers

Finding new female football talent and addressing inequality were the key themes of a unique event which brought together women from across the sporting community. ‘Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers’ was the first event of its kind to be hosted at St George’s Park – the Football Association’s (FA) national football centre – in partnership with Farenet and the FA. Organised by Saltley Stallions…

Drive to promote career opportunities in military and blue light services

A drive to promote career opportunities for young people in the military and blue light services is being supported and promoted by West Midlands Lieutenancy as part of a ‘first-time ever’ programme to encourage young people to use their skills within the uniformed services. The DRIVE initiative is designed to demonstrate that the uniformed services offer significant opportunities for young people to use…