Bridewell is a UK-based Cyber Security Specialist with more than 300 employees across the UK. Just over 10% of the company are members of the Defence and Emergency Services (D&ES) Network, which includes Veterans, Reservists, Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers, spouses of serving personnel and veterans, and former Blue Light employees.
As part of Bridewell’s commitment to being a Gold Employer Recognition Scheme organisation, the company extends the 10 days of paid leave available to Reservists to Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers as well. This provides volunteers with the opportunity to give their time to supporting young people without having to sacrifice their annual leave.
For Bridewell employees who volunteer with the Cadet Forces, the opportunity is about more than simply giving something back. It is about helping young people develop skills, confidence and experiences that can support them throughout their lives. Supporting CFAV’s is therefore an investment not only in its employees and the communities in which they live, but also in the development of young people and the skills they will carry with them into adult life.
Megan Pugh, 2nd Lieutenant Army Cadet Force:
“I spend quite a lot of my time volunteering with the Army Cadet Force, specifically as the National Corps of Drums Training Officer in Army Cadet Music. If you don’t know about ACF Music, we provide free musical instrument training to all cadets nationally and provide unique opportunities that they would not get in any other organisation.
It’s been 16 years that I’ve been involved as a cadet myself and then as an adult, and I love it now as much as I ever have. The work that ACCTUK does to provide equipment and instruction to these kids is inspiring and if you’re ever looking to support it would be greatly appreciated.
I’m also very grateful to work for a company like Bridewell that is a massive supporter of the armed forces, and by extension the Army Cadet Force, by providing specific volunteering leave so that I can do this.”
Davide Poli, Warrant Officer Royal Air Force Air Cadets:
“Having been joined the Corps over 30 years ago as a young cadet and progressed through to adult staff, I’ve seen the benefits of cadets first-hand and been fortunate to work for a company that recognise and value this.
It’s great seeing young people, join the Corps and go on to achieve so much in their lives and credit the cadet forces being the inspiration for their success. Over the years the training program has grown beyond aviation-based subjects and now includes Space, STEM and Cyber. Being a Bronze Communicator (Radio and Cyber) and First Aid Instructor is great and allows me to pass on knowledge that will benefit young people in their personal lives and later-on their professional lives too.
In the last 18 months Bridewell has delivered a CyberFirst Career Day at RAF Northolt for London and South East Region and also attended the National Air and Space Camp Industry Day. Both these events brought a team from across the company to talk to young people about the various career options in the Cyber industry and routes to jobs such as the Bridewell Academy.”
Follow the link below to find out more about the Employer Recogntion Scheme:
