West Midland RFCA

Empowering Our Youth

Over 50 guests joined our Engagement Team for a webinar focused on exploring how the Armed Forces support youth and community groups in our region. Representatives from the Armed Forces often visit schools and colleges to deliver careers talks and showcase the roles on offer in the Military, but their work with youth within the community can often go unseen. Hosted in partnership…

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…

Employer Recognition Scheme 2021 Expression of Interest window now open

The expression of interest window opened today for employers looking to receive Silver and Gold Award status in 2021 through the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). The Employer Recognition Scheme, now in its eighth year, recognises those companies that support the Armed Forces community by proactively demonstrating a forces-friendly approach as part of their recruitment process. Silver and Gold employers are…

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…

ERS Gold Award winners celebrated

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…

New heating system improves carbon footprint on the Defence estate

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…

Cadet Executive Officer – all change at Warwickshire & West Midland (South Sector) ACF

Cadet Executive Officer retires after 50 years of service The Cadet Executive Officer for Warwickshire and West Midlands South Sector Army Cadet Force (Warwickshire ACF) has retired after 50 years in uniform. Major Stephen Huyton has been the county’s Cadet Executive Officer for the past six and a half years, and now hangs up his boots to enjoy his retirement following a lengthy…