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Safe Places Shropshire pledges support to the Armed Forces

On 4th December 2023, Safe Places Shropshire became a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant.  The team was represented by Chair Ruby Hartshorn who signed the pledge together with Group Captain Andy Baron, Station Commander at RAF Shawbury. The Safe Places scheme is a nationwide initiative, established by Mencap, which is supported locally by West Mercia Police. Safe Places Shropshire was introduced in July…

Veteran care home shares hub with Warwickshire residents

The Royal British Legion (RBL) is a national charity which supports members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families.  Providing vital support to serving and ex-serving personnel, their dedication and work led them to receiving their Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award in 2022. One of the ways they provide support for veterans and their families is…

West Midland RFCA Board member, Dr Catherine Baxter, receives MBE

One of the West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association’s (RFCA) Board Members and former Harper Adams University Secretary, Dr Catherine Baxter, will be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her services to higher education, as announced in the New Year’s Honours List. Dr Baxter’s honour marks a career working across a diverse range of educational institutions, including…

Mountains for Mental Health in aid of Mind North Staffs

Mind North Staffs have recently signed the Armed Forces Covenant and as a mental health charity they understand the struggles that Armed Forces personnel can have with their own mental health. One strong supporter of the charity is Mike Copeland, an Army Veteran, who had his own mental health struggles. Mike raised over £14,000 for the charity in 2023 and hopes to raise…

Hard facilities management services for the Volunteer Estate to be delivered by the MoD Built Estate contracts

Following the conclusion of the Volunteer Estate Value for Money Study, it has been agreed that Hard Facilities Management services for the Volunteer Estate will in the future be delivered by the MOD Built Estate contracts. These contracts cover key maintenance work, repairs, servicing and Hard Facilities Management, across the Volunteer Estate to enable Reserves and Cadets to continue to work and train….

Royal Military Police Reserves take on PARAS’ 10 mile tab

Five members of 116 Provost Company, Royal Military Police Reserves tested their endurance by taking part in the PARAS’ 10 Challenge in the lead up to the Remembrance weekend. Their team, comprising of Captain Thompson, Sergeant Karim, Corporal Camp, Corporal Holyoak and Lance Corporal Bailey, each completed a cross country 10 mile booted tab whilst individually carrying 35lbs.  Based on the gruelling 10…

Gold standard employers honoured for supporting Armed Forces

Fourteen organisations from across the wider West Midlands area attended an awards ceremony in Shropshire to receive their Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Awards, recognising their exceptional level of support to the Armed Forces community. Held at Lilleshall House and Gardens in Shropshire – also home to one of the UK’s National Sports Centres and the Royal British Legion’s Battle Back Centre…

WM RFCA supports Exercise Dragon Barbarian Nepal

Our Association actively promotes and supports the Reserve Forces and Cadets in our region, including the maintenance and upkeep of the Reserve and Cadet estate, advocacy and support through employer engagement and wider engagement, and the provision of the full-time staff at our regional Army Cadet Force Headquarters.  A small part of our role is also to provide grants and funding towards training…

Military police support local policing in partnership programme

Serving members of the Royal Military Police (RMP) have joined forces with the South Staffordshire local policing team in a new partnership initiative. Starting on the 19th September, Corporals Katie Butlin and Michael Knapper have embedded with neighbourhood officers in the south of the county. They have been vetted and trained to the same standards as their existing officers and will be part…