Cobseo, the Confederation of Service Charities

Joanna Patterson is taking part in the SSAFA Vietnam Trek from 21 to 30 October to raise funds for SSAFA the Armed Forces charity. Originally from the Portsmouth area, Joanna grew up surrounded by Navy ships, aircraft carriers, and submarines. Both her grandparents served in the Armed Forces Joanna almost joined herself, but her career as an employment lawyer instead brought her to London, where she regularly worked with the MoD. For the past 12 years Joanna has worked for Expedia Group, getting to travel around the world and continue supporting the military community. Expedia, also a Corporate Partner of SSAFA, has a Veterans Inclusion Business Group, of which Joanna is the Global President. https://lnkd.in/eECFzTsA #armedforcescommunity

The next three months will see Army Families Federation (AFF) turn the spotlight on the organisations and people who support you in your Army life. There’s a guide to negotiating job moves and we dig into the detail on the results of our partners’ and spouses’ employment survey. We update you on the role of the contractors who look after your quarter and show how Military Housing Liaison Officers can help with your accommodation issues. As well as information for carers and detail about support for victims of sexual assault or domestic abuse, we focus on help available for those bereaved by suicide. And we look at where you can go for advice when you’re struggling to obtain school places. https://lnkd.in/ed2ivTQD #armedforcescommunity

The Naval Families Federation (NFF) is delighted to share the latest Autumn edition of Homeport with our Royal Navy and Royal Marines families. https://lnkd.in/eqxhRhKP #armedforcescommunity

We are pleased to announce that the Armed Forces Equine Charity is kindly offering up to 10 funded residential places exclusive to Fighting With Pride - LGBT Military Charity. The Residential Places are funded at £1500 per week and are exclusive to FWP Veterans. The benefits of working with animals has long been associated with positive mental and physical health. Research, experience and feedback show that equines are particularly effective in support of service personnel. As prey animals, horses are hyper-vigilant until they learn they are not in danger, individuals must work to gain their trust, and to do so they themselves must learn to relax and reduce their own anxiety and stress levels. The focus in sessions is on reflecting, talking, providing feedback, and the ability to recognise and accept support. This very generous offer from the Armed Forces Equine Charity, exclusive to FWP, is open to 10 LGBT Veterans. https://lnkd.in/ewwPSy_g #armedforcescommunity

Thanks to a generous donation from the Army Central Fund, the Forces Employment Charity can continue supporting the military community, via our Families Programme. All monies donated will specifically support our work with spouses and partners of serving Army personnel. Service life and transition can impact the whole family. The Families Programme supports spouses and partners of still-serving personnel and veterans, including divorced, separated, and bereaved, on their journey into employment. The Families Programme Advisors are military spouses or were brought up in a military home, so they have a deep and personal understanding of the challenges their clients face. For instance, frequent moves and relatively isolated locations away from close networks, alongside inconsistent education or employer reluctance, can all be unique challenges for military partners, spouses and children of those with a career in the Armed Forces. These obstacles can often make pursuing a meaningful career that meets needs, skills, and aspirations within geographical reach difficult. A recent survey of military spouses and partners by the Forces Employment Charity revealed that 1 in 5 regard the impact on their career as the hardest thing about being a military partner/ spouse. Furthermore, 20% said they worry about the impact that being from a military family will have on their children. https://lnkd.in/eMiTcknG #armedforcescommunity

The Royal Naval Association (RNA) owns three disabled access minibuses, situated across the UK, for the exclusive use of RNA members and other associated organisations. The buses are free to borrow, and recently, RNA member Natasha Mason used the Plymouth based bus to take her disabled Dad on a short break. https://lnkd.in/ebzz6RaB #armedforcescommunity

Kirsty Mackenzie, a proud partner of a serving British Army soldier, will take on her first-ever running event at the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2024 to raise funds for SSAFA the Armed Forces charity. This event marks a personal milestone for Kirsty, who overcame significant knee issues earlier in life and was once told she might never run again. Kirsty has been back to running for several months, focusing on strength and conditioning at New Jennaration Studio in East Kilbride and speed and endurance training with the Strathaven Striders. Her dedication to preparation highlights her determination, but her goal for the race is not about speed. https://lnkd.in/eNdPcwib #armedforcescommunity

Army Families Federation (AFF)’s 2024 employment survey has revealed limited opportunities have a significant effect on Army spouses and partners who are on overseas postings and childcare is a major barrier to work for those in the UK. The impact of Army life on work and family finances was revealed by nearly 700 partners and spouses who responded. https://lnkd.in/exebn_sR #armedforcescommunity

The October edition of Veterans’ Vine, the priority referral newsletter from Entrain Space, is out now. https://lnkd.in/ekQuyk3A #armedforcescommunity

Six-year-old Hector Macintyre of Culdrose has a tradition: to walk a mile on his birthday for each year of his life in aid of a charity. Six miles might be a small step – or around 12,000 – for an adult, but for a child? It is more than a giant leap for young Hector, who aged just 13 months was diagnosed with Level 3 autism and hydrocephalus, and was not expected to walk before the age of five. This year, Hector’s walk was for SSAFA the Armed Forces charity. Alongside routine support for the UKAF community, SSAFA offers specific support to serving families with a member living with a disability through its Short Breaks scheme and FANDF, the Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum. Hector lives with his mum and dad – Rob and Ayeasia – and younger brothers Bertie and Rufus, as well as black lab Bess. Rob has spent 14 years so far in the Royal Navy on Merlin helicopters as a Senior Mechanical Supervisor, and Ayeasia is a Safeguarding Lead for disabled and autistic people in the NHS. https://lnkd.in/e2dEFHUA #armedforcescommunity