Lockdown job success, generous funding helps charity change veterans' lives
RFEA, The Forces Employment Charity has managed to help 19,005 veterans work towards new careers in that last year, despite lockdown slowing job vacancies during the year.
RFEA logo. RFEA Crown Copyright.
RFEA is the only charity to provide life-long, life-changing support, job opportunities, and training to service leavers, reservists, veterans and their families, irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.
The charity’s work has received vital ongoing support thanks to a generous donation of £91,800 from The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) and its funding partner, Greenwich Hospital, which provides support to serving and former members of the Naval Service and their families.
The funding is part of a successful multi-year partnership which continue essential employment support for Royal Marine and Royal Navy Veterans across the country, with services encompassing all elements needed to be successful in an employment search. This includes CV advice and interview skills, through to support with finding suitable employment opportunities, as well as motivation and workplace social skills. This funding is especially important as unemployment is rising in 2021 and the numbers registering for support in January 2021 is at an all-time high.
The charity also works with clients to identify any other underlying issues, such as housing, debt, substance or alcohol misuse, or health problems, such as PTSD, which may act as a barrier to securing meaningful employment.
Employment and wellbeing support are going to be a critical need for recovery from the impacts of Covid-19 and thanks to the backing of RNRMC, RFEA will be able to offer help to the increasing numbers of veterans seeking its support since the pandemic.
In the last year alone, RFEA has helped change the lives of 739 ex-Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel, by improving their social stability, health and wellbeing and their basic skills, leading to 71% securing meaningful job roles during this time.
Nicki Bradley from Plymouth, a former Leading Naval Nurse in the Royal Navy, served from 1992 to 2006. After leaving the Service she struggled to transfer her valuable experience into skills that were recognised by civilian employers. RFEA was able to help her recognise the value of her skills and translate them into suitable job opportunities. With the support of her RFEA Regional Advisor, Nicki secured a job placement, which led to her being employed in her current role as a part-time administrator.
Nicki says:
After 3 years of unemployment after being made redundant, my new job means I am able to come off benefits and be proud to be earning my own money once more. I feel I have purpose again and can convey this feeling to my children. I can now improve on skills I already possess as well as acquire new ones through workplace development courses.
Commodore Alistair Halliday, RFEA’s Chief Executive, comments:
The qualities required for a career in the Services make ex-Forces personnel a fantastic addition to the civilian workforce, which is why RFEA’s team are so passionate about helping veterans, and their families, to find meaningful employment. We provide an invaluable, tailored support service to ensure our clients are equipped with everything they need to demonstrate the value and relevance of their experience to civilian employers.
By doing so, we bring about life changing transformations for thousands of veterans, and their families, every year. We are delighted to be able to continue to do this, thanks to the incredible support of RNRMC.
Mandy Lindley, Director of Relationships and Funding at RNRMC adds:
The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity is pleased to continue its partnership with RFEA, helping to provide vital employment support to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines veterans. The economic impact of COVID-19 means that it is now more critical than ever that our veterans receive the right care and this grant will allow RFEA to continue providing a fantastic standard of employment support for our joint beneficiaries.