Foreword
Foreword by RFCA YH Chair, David Rhodes
A review of supported activity and progress from the past six months.
Welcome
Welcome to our mid-year Association report to members. Please take some time to review all the things that we have been up to on your behalf. This year has, so far, been mostly about business as usual but with some key highlights. In particular, in August our estate team successfully implemented the switch to the FDIS estate maintenance contract and I am indebted to all those who worked so hard this year to ensure a seamless transition.
Youth programmes going strong
Our cadet units and our cadets in Yorkshire continue to thrive, and we are seeing our adult volunteer numbers return to historic levels, helped by our adult volunteers social media campaign in the summer. We supported some excellent cadet camps during the summer holidays with cadets venturing across the British Isles from Plymouth to Scotland. We should be justly proud of the part we have played in returning the cadet movement in Yorkshire to success.
Strengthening partnerships and support
We continue to lead the way nationally with our employer engagement, conducting employer learning days, and rolling out our Business & Military Expos across the county. We have recently completed this year’s autumn Lord-Lieutenants’ Awards ceremonies and I am always particularly impressed by the professional way the Association team coordinate what is a complex evening, and the positive feedback we get from the Lord-Lieutenants and other guests. We’ve also continued to support units with adventurous training and other non-core activities through our special unit grants, and the report for this year includes details of some of the exciting expeditions we’ve funded.
Efficient planning
Financially, our MOD and regional funding for this year is adequate and we continue to retain sufficient reserves for future rainy days. That said we are well aware of the likely spending restraints on defence over the next few years so we are not complacent and we continue to drive efficiencies where we can.
As always I’d like to thank the Association staff for their hard work so far this year. I’d also like to thank members for their continued support, and more specifically those that offer their time to serve on the board and its committees. We could not do this without you.
Thank you.
Supporting the region's cadets
Supporting the region’s cadets
Summer Success and Achievements
Summer 2024 did not disappoint! Cadets took part in activities throughout the UK whether it was over 500 CCF cadets attending summer camp at Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Strensall, conquering the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition, gaining qualifications or earning flight wings. Many thanks to all the cadet force adult volunteers who carried out the planning and delivery for this year’s camps and activities, making the summer break a truly memorable one.
Preparing the future
Over thirty cadets from the region attended the Business and Enterprise Study Weekend at York St John University (YSJU) in July. The event, hosted by the University’s Business School, involved a series of working discussions to teach cadets strategic development skills and take part in a ‘Dragons Den’ style competition. Thanks to the teaching staff at YSJU, Colonel Simon Banks-Cooper and Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force for launching this exceptional event! Read more here.
We delivered four successful Lord-Lieutenants' Award events
RFCA successfully organised and managed the annual Lord-Lieutenants’ Awards in Yorkshire and the Humber. Following the success of last year’s videos featuring the newly appointed Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets, we have once again produced videos featuring this year’s appointed cadets which have totalled over 13,000 views across our channels (and counting!). You can watch the new 2024 videos here.
We are also pleased to update our ‘Cadet Stories’ section on our website which received excellent engagement on our channels. The updated stories provide personal testimonies from Lord-Lieutenant Cadets about their cadet experience. To read, click here.
Another successful Visitor's Day in the books!
Another fantastic Visitor’s Day was held in August at Driffield Training Camp. Local employers and business leaders from the region were invited to learn about the cadet experience and how it prepares young people with skills for future careers and employability. The day also featured speaker (via remote) Professor Simon Denny, who was co-investigator of the 2020 University of Northampton ‘Societal Impact of Cadet Forces’ report which details the evidence of the positive societal and financial impact of the cadet force. Thanks to Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force for running the successful event.
Schools Expansion on the go!
This year we welcomed another school to our CCF programme. Sir John Nelthorpe in Brigg had their first parade in September. Only three months in, all the cadets have begun training in command tasks, first aid, drill and fieldcraft. They also represented the school at the local Remembrance Parade and enjoyed a weekend camp. Well done SJN, it’s great having you on board.
Promoting the work of adult volunteers
Following the success of our social media campaign during Volunteers’ Week in 2023 which featured CFAVs in Yorkshire and the Humber, we once again ran profiles of individuals who spoke with us about their volunteering experience. Their interviews emphasised the benefits of being a volunteer with a call to action to learn more about and join as a CFAV. The campaign received excellent reach (5,000 views and counting) across our channels.
Supporting our region's reserve soldiers
Supporting our Reserve Forces
Reserve Forces take starring role
We released our new ‘Life in the Reserves’ and ‘Reserves Enrich the Workplace’ videos featuring Yorkshire and the Humber Reservists. The reels aim to support recruitment and to spark employer engagement with the Armed Forces community. We encourage all our stakeholders to support the messaging and share on their channels and networks.
Click here for ‘Life in the Reserves’ recruitment reel.
Click here for ‘Reserves enrich the workplace’ employability reel.
Officers' Cadets in Action
The Yorkshire Officers’ Training Regiment enjoyed an action-packed summer with expeditions that involved both military and adventurous training, developing skills in leadership, teamwork, confidence and resilience. Officer Cadets took part in military exercises in the Netherlands as part of EX Veluwe Venture and mountain sports in EX Northern Wanderer in Snowdonia National Park. Read more here.
4 R YORKS takes on adventurous training opportunities
Thirty-nine reservists from 4 R YORKS Burma Coy and Alma Coy took part in multi-activity adventurous training in the Lake District. The RFCA supports opportunities that will will enable reservists to train in challenging terrain that will build endurance, teamwork and resilience skills.
Supporting our Reserves military training in Germany
In June, EX Rhino Heart, the largest Army Reserve exercise for a generation, took place in Germany. Six hundred and fifty Army Reservists including the British Army’s 19th Light Brigade, 4th Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment and the US National Guard, conducted realistic war-flighting training as part of a combined Army Reserve Battle group. Soldier Magazine reported on the training’s operations and purpose. Read it here
We are refreshing our centres
The RFCA invests in the fabric of our facilities. Middleton Barracks will benefit with a refresh and improvements to the main building including its front signage, bringing a sense of identity and pride for all who learn, train and meet there. We continue to support projects that will lend to increasing the visibility of our centres and enhance the reserves and cadet experience.
Engaging with the public through performance
We supported the the 19th Light Brigade’s Festival of Remembrance 2024 where 300 guests from Yorkshire’s military, civic and business sectors were brought together at Huddersfield Town Hall for an evening of music, outreach and an unforgettable performance honouring all who have served.
Recognising the work of Reservists
We celebrated Reservists from Yorkshire and the Humber for their exceptional service to the forces community. In 2024, eighteen Reservists received Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards for their outstanding commitment to duty and contribution to the Reserve Forces.
Employer Engagement in Yorkshire and the Humber
Working with employers in the region
We created a networking forum for our AFC signatories
Over the summer, one hundred people representing over eighty employers from the Yorkshire and the Humber attended the inaugural Armed Forces Covenant Reception at the War Gallery, Royal Armouries in Leeds. Businesses and organisations committed to supporting the military community came together for a networking opportunity bridging regional employers with armed forces personnel. The event also welcomed another Armed Forces Covenant signatory, The Kirkwood Hospice, who officially signed the Covenant that evening joining the 800+ signatories region. Read more by clicking here.
We honoured nineteen Silver ERS Employers this year
Nineteen employers recognised for their outstanding support to the armed forces community were celebrated in September at a formal awards event in York. Silver recipients included a range of employers in size, sector and industry, and several are actively working towards Gold ERS. Read the full announcement here.
Going for Gold
In November, we celebrated a total of twenty-one 2024 Gold ERS winners from Yorkshire and the Humber and the North of England. The employers were VIP guests at the Royal Gun Salute in Museum Gardens to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty The King which was then followed by an awards reception at York Hospitium. HM Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Mrs Johanna Ropner and Major General Richard Allen, Director of Army Legal Services, presented Gold ERS certificates to the recipients. We were thrilled that of the twenty-one recipients recognised, Yorkshire and the Humber had eleven employers awarded Gold – a new record high in a single year for our region!
We expanded our delivery of Military Expos bridging service personnel with industries
Following the success of the Business and Military Expos launched last year, Employer Engagement added more dates and locations to the diary. The team collaborated with Hull Chamber of Commerce for a Hull expo in June and West Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce for a Leeds expo in October. The events were a huge success attracting over 200 attendees, 100 exhibitors and several guest speakers, including military and local employers who discussed topics such as engaging with Defence and supporting the local Armed Forces community.
Gold is going strong
The Engagement Team continues to create networking opportunities for our ERS community. In September, we held an event at our office where Gold ERS employers came together to discuss a new centralised source that would enable ERS employers to access valuable shared discussions and ideas that will lend to their ERS journeys. Thanks to Gold ERS employer, One SC Media, who has offered to develop an online portal prototype to be used as a hub of information for our ERS employers. Watch this space!
Partnerships, Expansion and Improvements
Supporting communities where we live and work
Headquarters North launched in August
RFCA YH supported the formation of Headquarters North which launched in August. The new HQ is part of modernisation plans that the Army is implementing as a result of the recent Strategic Defence Review. Led by Colonel Peter Stitt, Headquarters North covers Army operations, including Reserve units and Cadet Force in Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East and North West of England.
We will transform spaces to new facilities for our cadets forces
RFCA YH has submitted plans to convert the former Immingham Police Station into a Tri-Service Joint Cadet Centre for Service Cadets Forces. It will accommodate the Sea Cadets, Army Cadet Force and Air Cadets. This development would provide a suitable facility for cadet activity resulting in an improved experience for young people and adult volunteers in the local cadet force community.
Vivo and RFCA partnership launch
The Estate Team’s partnership with VIVO Defence Services went live in August. Vivo provides Hard Facilities Management for our volunteer estate, overseeing key maintenance work, repairs, servicing, hard facilities management and Built Estate contracts.
We improve the fabric of where we work and train
Over £900,000 of betterment work to our reserve and cadet centres was delivered in the past financial year. The Estates Team completed numerous site repairs and refurbs throughout Yorkshire and the Humber including (yet not limited to) work at Totley, Carlton, Somme and Danum Road Barracks. All works ensure facilities are suitable, modernised and fit-for-purpose so our personnel, cadets and reservists can constructively meet and work.
We upgraded facilities
The Cadet Training Centre dining and bar area at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall had a refurbishment (pictured). The conservatory roof was lifted and replaced with a flat roof. Additionally internal improvements including new carpets, blinds and decorating added to the refresh. We are also installing broadband to this cadet centre as well as Driffield and also upgrading wi-fi services at Huddersfield ARC, Carlton Barracks and Thornbury Barracks.
We helped with local conservation
The RFCA YH team took a break from our desks to clear the Himalayan Balsam at Askham Bog, York. In the UK, Himalayan Balsam is considered an invasive species and requires removal from the root by hand. We spent hours in the back fields clearing the Himalayan Balsam for indigenous plant species to freely grow without the threat of the foreign vegetation. Thank you to our neighbour, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, for leading the day and teaching us about local wetland conservation.