The Armed Forces Community programme’s Shaping Forces event returned for a second year yesterday, at the Victory Suite in Fratton Park.
CEO Dave Humphreys kicked off the event with some recent holiday photos, highlighting the respect for veterans in America and leading the way in thanking everyone involved with the military in the room, before introducing our event sponsors, Citrus Facilities Management, City of Portsmouth College and Portico Shipping.
Programme leads Kate Mizon and Charlie Keane were up next with an update on Armed Forces Community activities, including Reserve Night at 295 Battery, Royal Artillery, Training Night at HMS Excellent RN Volunteer Cadet Corps, and their efforts to redecorate the Captain Tom Moore Memorial Garden at St Mary’s Hospital campus.
Kate also introduced two new volunteers on the AFC team, Jade Parrett-Harris from Biscoes, and Lee Madigan from Inspire Futures.
After a brief overview of the ERS and how to apply from Charlie, Major Dan Harvey from 295 battery spoke about reservists, what they are, the challenges they face, how businesses can support their reservist employees, and how employing reservists can help benefit businesses.
Lt CDR Ross Duncan from the Royal Naval Volunteer Cadet Corps spoke next, about the Cadet Forces and how they improve the life chances and other benefits they provide to young people.
During the networking break, the almost 100 attendees had a chance to visit exhibits from Click Marketing, Forcer Protocol, Inspire Futures, Naval Childrens Charity, Naval Families Federation, Practice Plus, RACPD, Reading Force, Rocky Road Resilience, and Veterans Outreach Support, and have a go with some of the kit the reservists from 295 Battery brought with them.
Andrew Dutton from Veterans Outreach Support was the first speaker back, talking about the services they offer, and their successful Project Valour bid. Charlie led this year’s panel, featuring Lily Shelley (Military Children’s Advocate, NCC), Louise Fetigan MBE (Founder of Little Troopers and British Army Veteran), Major Dan Harvey (Commander, Volunteer Cadet Corps), and Terance Carvalho (COO of Delivered Social and Armed Forces child), discussed Armed Forces Youth, how they are shaped by service and strengthened by community.
The final section of the even was the presentation of the Shaping Forces Business of the Year award, which this year went to Inspire Futures for their work.
The event closed with Dave thanking Kate, who is stepping down as programme co-lead, before presenting her with a Shaping Forces cheeseboard.
The two raffles held during the event raised over £650 for Veterans Outreach Support.
Our thanks again to our headline sponsor Citrus Facilities Management, and event sponsors City of Portsmouth College and Portico Shipping for making this event possible, and to Portsmouth Football Club for hosting.