West Midland RFCA

Are you full of cheer, Christmas cheese and unsure what day of the festive week it is? Guilty 🙋 For a bit of fun, have a go at this year's brand new GCHQ Christmas puzzle challenge. Let us know if you manage to crack it 🔍 👇 https://ow.ly/ayCe50UvQ0U

It's nearly a wrap on 2024 for us 🎉 🎄 Thank you to all of our Reserve and Cadet units, employers, our hardworking staff and Association members, networks and our friends and followers who have been a part of our incredible year. We wish you all a peaceful and enjoyable festive break. Enjoy our video highlights from across this year - we're looking forward to seeing what 2025 brings us! 👇 #YearInReview #2024 #ArmedForcesCommunity #ReserveForces #CadetForces #ArmedForcesCovenant

1500th Armed Forces Covenant milestone reached ⭐ We are absolutely delighted to announce that the National Energy System Operator (NESO) has become our 1500th #ArmedForcesCovenant signatory in our region. Fintan Slye, Chief Executive of National Energy System Operator, said: “To have signed the Armed Forces Covenant is extremely important to NESO. We are delighted to hear we are also the 1500th signatory of the AFC. “At NESO, and across the energy industry, we employ many veterans and Reservists and benefit immensely from the skills that colleagues with military experience have developed from their time with the Armed Forces. We are incredibly proud of the longstanding contribution they make to our workforce and also the important role our SeRVe Employee Resource Group plays in supporting the veterans, Reservists, cadet leaders and their spouses and families here at NESO.” Congratulations and thank you to NESO for your support to the #ArmedForcesCommunity. And thank you to all 1500 organisations in our region who have pledged their forces-friendly commitments to date. It's an incredible achievement and your support is invaluable. A brilliant way to end 2024 on a high note! 👏 Read the full story ⏬ https://lnkd.in/e8XwVpA9 #ReserveForces #Reservists #CadetForces #CadetForceAdultVolunteers #ArmedForces #MilitaryFamilies #Veterans #ServiceLeavers #MilitarySpouses #ExForces

It's our #YearInReview day 5 🎄 We're reminiscing about our #SilverERS24 ceremony in September where we presented this year's 37 winning organisations with their awards. Such a fantastic opportunity to celebrate their exceptional achievements! In case you missed it, our full story can be found here 👇 https://ow.ly/kP1350UtEcr

It's day four of our #YearInReview 4️⃣ We're flying back to October when employers from our region were given a special 'behind the scenes' glimpse into the roles and work of No. 1 School of Technical Training and No. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron RAF Reserves based at RAF Cosford ✈️ With support from Shropshire Council and our Association, the event showcased the range of engineering, technology and transferable skills on offer to individuals who train at the station. It also demonstrated why the support of businesses is vital to facilitate the development of #Reservists and our wider #ArmedForcesCommunity. After a tour of the hangars we welcomed 11 organisations to sign the #ArmedForcesCovenant, countersigned by Wing Commander Mitchell on behalf of Defence. 📸 : Ministry of Defence / Royal Air Force.

3️⃣ For day three of our #YearInReview we're heading back to October where we hosted our Breakfast Networking Event at Canley Army Reserve Centre, in partnership with C&W Chamber of Commerce 🤝 After an excellent breakfast provided by #VeteranOwned business 2 Much Passion, Catherine Suckling and Siamha Butt explored the benefits #ArmedForcesCovenant and the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. Keely from the Chamber chaired a lively panel discussion about the value and skills that #Reservists, former service personnel, #Cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers can bring to your workforce, featuring Reservists from Canley-based 159 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps and employees from Cadent Gas Limited and Wigley Connect. A super morning!

2️⃣ For day two of our #YearInReview we're looking back to September when our Association appointed a new Chief Executive. After nearly seven years in post as our Association's Chief Executive, Colonel (Ret’d) Richard Maybery handed over the role to Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Richard Hopkins MSc DipPFS FCMI, in readiness to enjoy retirement. Since welcoming Lieutenant Colonel Hopkins to our team he has been extremely busy sharing his wealth of leadership, military and Cadet experience, and business knowledge, to support our Association's aims within the wider West Midlands region. We hope Colonel Maybery is making the most of his retirement, and we look forward to seeing what 2025 brings to our Association! Read our original story here 👇 https://lnkd.in/eqztyPZ2

2024 has been a fantastic year for good news stories. Over the next week we're counting down to Christmas and sharing some of our top tales and super success stories 🎄 1️⃣ First up - we're travelling back to June where we chatted to the inspirational Private Husain, a #Reservist with 159 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps. We chatted to her to find out about her unit and motivations for joining - and what positive changes the #ReserveForces can bring to your life and career. Re-watch our video below 👇 #YearInReview #ArmyReserve #ArmyReservist #BritishArmy #CareerDevelopment

"'But, why?' Is often the reaction I receive when explaining to people what I have done with my weekend. Usually because it has consisted of hiding out in a wood in the middle of South Wales, trekking across hills carrying a bag near to my bodyweight, or sitting in a classroom learning about radio communications." 🗺 Annabel Pushman is a #Reservist with 214 (Worcester) Battery - 104 Regiment Royal Artillery. After joining the #ArmyReserve she has embraced the unique opportunities on offer - taking part in sports, gaining new skill sets, adventure training, monumental regimental events and even mobilisation in Cyprus. Read more about Annabel's journey and the benefits the #ReserveForces have had on her civilian career. Be inspired to follow in her footsteps 👇 https://lnkd.in/ePJvmrAE #Worcester #Worcestershire #ArmyReservist #ArmedForces

Brilliant news! STEPWAY CIO have received funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to support their new project for female #veterans, which will launch in the New Year in Oldbury and Worcester 👇 #Veteran #ServiceLeaver #ExForces #FemaleVeterans #Worcester #Oldbury #WestMidlands #BlackCountry