SERFCA Newsletter January 2025

Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter

January 2025

Our Vision 
“To be an enduring and essential pillar in the delivery of support for the well-being of the Reserves and Cadets and, through our effectiveness and our position in the regions, to be the independent body that represents their interests and promotes understanding between the Armed Forces and civil society”

LATEST NEWS

 

A big thank you to Mindvision Media Ltd and PJG Creative for going above and beyond to produce our eye-catching new Reserves and Cadets pop-up banners!


Keep an eye out for them at our upcoming events this year!


Ever thought about writing a military memoir? Join Reading Force on Saturday 8th February for a one-day workshop, delivered in partnership with Kingston University and the National Army Museum.

Whether it’s to reflect on your own experiences, commemorate a loved one, or simply share the stories of Forces life, this expert-led workshop will guide you through the process of turning memories into powerful narratives.

Open to veterans, military families, and anyone inspired by the Armed Forces.

🗓️ Saturday, 8 February
📍 National Army Museum
🎟️ Book here


“The Part-Time Soldier” talk at Farnham Literary Festival!

Discover the fascinating history of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s Reserve soldiers with our Chief Executive, Colonel (Retd) Patrick Crowley MBE DL. 

  • Date: Sunday, 9th March 2025
  • Time: 4:30 PM
  • Location: Farnham Town Council
  • Tickets: £10

Book your tickets here 

RESERVES NEWS

Championing the Value of Reserve Service

7644 Squadron RAF Reserves

7644 Squadron deploy around the world planning and delivering media operations as part of national and coalition operations. The Squadron provides media and campaign support in the UK and overseas to the RAF and wider UK Defence.

Personnel are recruited nationally and join either 7644 Squadron at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire or are based in detached flights with RAuxAF squadrons throughout the UK.

Available roles include:

 ➡️ Media Operations Officer

 ➡️ Media Operations Specialist

Interested? Find out more: click here


 

OFFICER CADETS TAKE ON THE SLOPES! 

This year’s Exercise Blue Slalom took 44 lucky Officer Cadets (OCdts) from Oxford, Cambridge, Exeter and Northumbria University Officer Training Corps (UOTCs) to Val Thorens, for a fun filled week of excellent skiing and beautiful weather.

OCdts took on Ski Foundation 1, Ski Foundation 2, and Ski Foundation 3, improving technique on and off the piste as well as learning about avalanches and ski touring. 

Here are some perspectives from OCdts about their favourite elements of the trip…read more


SERFCA PROVIDES FUNDING SUPPORT

Here are SERFCA we are dedicated to providing support to Reserves, so we were delighted to provide A Company, 7 Rifles with funding for new branded banners and flags recruiting events.

As well as marketing materials, we are also keen to support on digital campaigns (social media & advertising). If your unit needs support email:  se-media@rfca.mod.uk


The Waterloo Band & Bugles of The Rifles still have some key vacancies to fill and are particularly interested in hearing from:

  • Trombone players
  • French Horn players
  • Bassoon players
  • Oboe players
  • Buglers

Contact details here: www.linktr.ee/rifleswaterlooband

Hot off the digital press! The newest edition of our Reserve Link Magazine has arrived!

Catch up on what Reserves in the South East have been up to here

DO YOU WANT TO BE A RESERVIST?

Find out more 

SOCIAL MEDIA

 

Share your expertise through storytelling! Write posts that highlight your experiences, challenges, and lessons learned. Authentic, relatable content makes you more memorable and builds a stronger personal brand. 💡

Need help with you Unit’s activity on Socials? Get in touch with our team today: se-media@rfca.mod.uk

CADET NEWS

Promoting the Cadet Experience

NEW ROYAL MARINES CADET DETACHMENT – OPENING 2025!

Are you passionate about the outdoors, sharing knowledge and experiences and have a few hours to spare?

Dover & Deal Sea Cadets are preparing to open a new detachment in the next few months and we are looking for Adult Volunteers who are passionate about the outdoors and sharing knowledge and experiences with our cadets aged 13-18…read more


Apply for funding for your 2025 projects from The Connaught Trust!

You can apply throughout the year and as many times as you wish.

Applications should be submitted by the 1st of the month in which the trustee meetings take place. If submitted after this date, we will take your application to the next meeting.​​

Apply here. The next deadline 1st April 2025.

Need some inspiration? Here’s what the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wing RAF Air Cadets did with their grant…click here


 

A huge congratulations to to all of the new First Sea Lord’s Cadets who were invested on HMS Victory this month!

A special mention must go to to the Southern Area First Sea Lord Cadet POC Henery from Portsmouth Unit.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING A CADET FORCE ADULT VOLUNTEER?

Find out more 

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT NEWS

Encouraging Employers to Support Defence

SOUTH EAST EMPLOYERS “GO FOR GOLD”

The event focused on the Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) nomination process for 2025, providing participants with valuable hints and tips.

On both days, the workshop began with an introductory session led by Colonel Patrick Crowley (Retd), MBE DL, Chief Executive of SERFCA. Attendees then heard from Gold Award holders Kerry Hudson of CGI IT UK Ltd (Day 1), Micky Ripley from Equinix Ltd (Day 2) and Paul Brooks from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (both days). who shared their experiences and approaches to achieving Gold status.

The program included an in-depth session on the Gold criteria and the nomination process, presented by Louis Szreider, Regional Employer Engagement Director at SERFCA. Participants engaged in group discussions to brainstorm ideas for Gold activities, with guidance from mentors representing both the public and private sectors. Following this, group thoughts were shared in an open forumread more


THE JOCKEY CLUB SIGNS ARMED FORCES COVENANT

The South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (SERFCA) Employer Engagement Team recently attended the prestigious Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown Park Racecourse. This event served as a fitting backdrop for the formal signing of the Armed Forces Covenant by The Jockey Club.

Present at the signing was Lieutenant General Charles Collins DSO OBE, Commander of the Army’s Home Command, and Baroness Dido Harding, who represented The Jockey Club and Leigh Thomas, one of SERFCA’s Regional Employer Engagement Directorsread more


 
 
Applications for the Employer Recognition Scheme Silver and Gold awards are still open!
 
  • Gold closes on 12 March
  • Silver closes on 23 April 
The ERS recognises employers who support the Armed Forces Community and and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
 
Learn more here

HAS YOUR ORGANISATION SIGNED THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT?

Find out more 

ESTATES

Providing the best place to work and train

ALTERNATIVE VENUES

Alternative Venues South East has a range of interesting buildings in an area stretching from Oxfordshire to Kent. They include 19th Century Houses and modern state-of-the-art training facilities, all of them large well-equipped Army Reserve Centres and Cadet detachments – ideal for business, sporting, training and social activities. Most of the venues are available seven days a week and all of the Army Reserve Centres have professional catering facilities and secure parking.

MANAGING THE VOLUNTEER ESTATE, RESERVE AND CADET BUILDINGS

Find out more 

JOB VACANCIES

Our staff are employed as Crown Servants, with flexible working arrangements offered. We also offer generous benefits and a supportive atmosphere.

Follow us on Indeed to be alerted of new vacancies. All of our vacancies (if any) are shown on our jobs page here

If you’re thinking of joining our team, find out more About Us and what we’ve been working on in our Latest News

LATEST PUBLICATIONS

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