L Teare

West Midland RFCA’s virtual celebration and commemoration for VE Day 75

In the lead up to the 75th anniversary of VE Day our Employer Engagement team invited employers who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to a special virtual talk on Thursday 7th May. Being unable to host any face-to-face events to celebrate and reflect on VE Day, the team decided to take the plunge and host our first virtual event. After welcoming remarks…

Army Reservists leap into action for parachute training

Joining the Reserve Forces is a rewarding experience.  As well as gaining military skills and learning specific trades, there is also plenty of opportunities for overseas travel and an exciting variety of adventure training and sport. This was the case for sixteen Army Reservists from 4th Battalion the Parachute Regiment who travelled to the USA last October for Exercise Black Skyfall to complete…

Security firm pledges international support to Armed Forces

A security firm has become the first company in the West Midlands to sign the Armed Forces Covenant in this financial year. Evolve Security Risk Management Consultants have offices in the UK, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.  They have worked with various Government departments, the Police and a wealth of private sector clients around the world, offering an extensive array of…

Victory in Europe Day 75th Anniversary

What is Victory in Europe (VE) Day? VE Day falls on the 8th May and marks the time the fighting against Nazi Germany in Europe came to an end in World War II.  This year in 2020 we are marking the 75th anniversary since the guns fell silent. On 8th May 1945, the Prime Minister Winston Churchill made an announcement on the radio…

A great time to show your support by signing the Armed Forces Covenant

The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of many groups in society, a shift in our attitude towards care workers, delivery drivers and shop workers, and many others.  This also has brought home the role the Armed Forces plays in the modern world.  Although it’s not always seen or heavily reported on, the role of our soldiers, sailors and air personnel has always…

Birmingham University Officer Training Corps hit the slopes

Earlier this year 43 Officer Cadets from the Birmingham and East Midlands University Officer Training Corps embarked on Exercise Dragon Slim in Tignes, in the French Alps. During their week-long stay in Tignes they took part in a mixture of alpine skiing and ski touring, and had the opportunity to complete their Ski Foundation Courses Level 1 and 2 according to their skills…

Celebrating the women shaping our region

At the beginning of March West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association linked up with West Midlands Women’s Voice to take part in an event to celebrate the women defining our region. ‘Celebrate the roaring West Midlands’ was a day of inspirational panel discussions and presentations to explore and recognise the diversity and strengths of women’s experience across business, arts, culture and sport,…

Shropshire hospital gets £6 million grant in boost for veteran healthcare

The UK’s first dedicated orthopaedic centre for Armed Forces veterans is to be built in Shropshire – thanks to a remarkable £6 million charitable grant. The centre is to go up at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (RJAH), a world-renowned organisation based near Oswestry. The hospital had initially launched a £1.5 million appeal in October 2018 to…