National Armed Forces Day

This month, SSCE Cymru had the immense pleasure of attending and supporting the National Armed Forces Day event hosted by Monmouthshire County Council. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks—diolch yn fawr!—to everyone involved in bringing this meaningful day to life. It was a truly collaborative effort and a fantastic example of community spirit and recognition of our Armed Forces and the Service children connected to them.

From a successful application to the SSCE-Wales Fund, Monmouthshire identified 130 military-connected Service children across the county. As part of the preparations to host Wales’ National Armed Forces Day 2025 at the historic Caldicot Castle, they launched a creative and inclusive project that placed these young people at the heart of the celebrations.

In the weeks leading up to the event, all Monmouthshire schools received wooden jigsaw pieces to decorate—an opportunity for Service children and their peers to express themselves and contribute to a shared vision. Schools across Wales were also invited to join in by designing printed paper versions, creating a nationwide feeling of unity and inclusion.

The completed jigsaw artwork, unveiled during the celebration, was a powerful visual symbol of connection, creativity, and community. It stood proudly as a testament to the voices and experiences of Service children, beautifully tying into April’s Month of the Military Child initiatives.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Caldicot Castle, this event did more than commemorate—it helped schools across Wales better understand and support the children of our Armed Forces. For the young people involved, it was a moment to feel seen, valued, and part of something bigger.

What a memorable and meaningful way to mark National Armed Forces Day—here’s to continued collaboration, creativity, and support in the year ahead.

And for those of you that took the time to visit our stand...good news, we found the toilets!