Whether you’ve already started working on your business idea, or are just considering self-employment, come along to our business workshop and meet like-minded people.
This practical workshop will take you through the pros and cons of self-employment. Working both as a group and individually, you will gain an awareness of what starting up a business means; to you, your family, and your finances.
Read moreEight Ayrshire veterans made the pilgrimage across the country recently for a special visit and tour of Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory, in Edinburgh, where a team of injured ex-Servicemen and Servicewomen hand-produce more than five million poppies every year for the charity’s annual Poppy Appeal.
The trip was arranged by staff at Poppyscotland’s new Ayrshire Welfare Centre, based in Kilmarnock. At a weekly drop-in session at the centre, veterans found out that the iconic Poppy Factory is going to be refurbished after this year’s Poppy Appeal, and they expressed a desire to visit before the work began.
Read moreBroadcasting teams from the Forces Network will bring you coverage of Armed Forces Day on TV, radio and online on Saturday 30th June.
You can watch the National Event live from Llandudno on www.forces.net and take part in our live blog too as we cover events around the country.
Forces TV will be ‘Live from Llandudno’ with presenter Claire Sadler from 1100 to 1230hrs, with highlights at 1730hrs and on Forces News bulletin programmes.
Read moreA group of Royal Army Medical Corps veterans, treated by veterans’ mental health charity Combat Stress, will have their artwork and poetry on display at Sandham Memorial Chapel in celebration of Armed Forces Day (30 June 2018).
The exhibition In Arduis Fidelis (Faithful in Adversity) will be held at the chapel in Burghclere, Hampshire, from Wednesday 27 June to Sunday 8 July (Wed – Sun only).
Owned by the National Trust, Sandham Memorial Chapel showcases the genius of Stanley Spencer who created it and the 19 paintings housed inside, depicting his experiences as a Royal Army Medical Corps orderly both at the Beaufort Hospital, Bristol, and then in Salonika, Greece, during the First World War.
Read moreA group of cyclists are gearing up for yet another fundraising odyssey to help raises thousands of pounds for leading Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland. The Flying Fifers will set off on Saturday (June 30th) from Leven and will cycle more than 120 miles a day for six days until they arrive in the French commune of Compiègne where the 1918 Armistice was signed. Just a few miles into their route will see the group taking part in the Armed Forces Day parade along Edinburgh’s George Street.
Read moreThe Ripple Pond are very excited to announce our partnership with Forces Wives Challenge for Armed Forces Day 2018.
The Forces Wives Challenge is a ‘network of wives and partners throughout the country who come together to seek adventure and create, organise and participate in their own challenges’.Often following the flag, and the career of the serving partner, means that family sacrifices need to be made. Understanding this as part of a community is integral to seeing one another through tougher times such as tours, separation, injury, postings and general instability of family life.
Read moreOn Wednesday 20th June, 47 beneficiaries and their escorts were taken on a tour of Highgrove Gardens, by kind permission of HRH The Prince of Wales. Blown away by the beauty of their surroundings, many found the trip a cathartic experience with laughter and smiles trickling through the whole group throughout the afternoon. Representing 14 organisations from all three services and spanning a variety of age groups, the trip also provided the opportunity for individuals to meet new friends – a direct representation of what the Association aims to do: address the causes of isolation, reduce loneliness and, overall, have a bit of fun!
Read moreTo celebrate 30 years of the championship, special veteran teams will also participate this year.
The OA Inter-Services Triathlon sees some of the best athletes from across the Armed Forces push themselves to the limit in individual and team categories. Competitors will swim through 1.5 km of open water, cycle 41 km of tricky terrain and finish the course with a 10 km run. The Fire, Police and Prison services are also entering guest teams.
Read moreBusinesses across the North of England supported a Veteran Recruitment Roadshow, with over 40 businesses of all sizes from across the region attending to learn more about how they could tap into the veteran talent pool.
The event was hosted by Deloitte, The Drive Project and veterans’ charity the Officers’ Association at Virgin Money in Newcastle.
Whilst 71% of medium and large organisations say they would consider employing veterans, only 39% would consider employing someone with no industry experience.
Read moreRichard Jones, a former RAF officer, is travelling around the world with his family. He shares what lessons he has learnt on the way.
I scarcely believe it is almost six months since I wrote about leaving my job to travel for a year with my family. I almost feel like a different person now, having travelled from New Zealand across South East Asia. I have experienced many new cultures, and going on this adventure with my wife and children has been incredible.
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Afghanistan support
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