When SSCE Cymru refers to Armed Forces engagement we are encouraging schools, educators, Local Authorities and our wider network across Wales, to take a positive interest in the work of our Armed Forces. This can be done by considering opportunities where they might benefit from participating in activities or events, locally, regionally or nationally to gain a deeper understanding of the different roles of our currently serving Armed Forces personnel. Please see below for links to the tri-service engagement webpages for more information.
Local engagement
In terms of local engagement, this refers to how schools, governors and Local Authorities can look at ways or take actions to become more Armed Forces friendly. A good example of this is working with the SSCE Cymru team towards achieving an Armed Forces Friendly Schools Cymru status. This makes it clear to any Armed Forces families moving to the local area that you have worked towards improving your understanding of their lifestyle and that the school has embedded good practice to ensure the needs of their children are met.
The SSCE Cymru team will always encourage schools to celebrate having Service children/young people at their school by welcoming them to their local community by recognising important calendar dates, such as Month of the Military Child in April and Armed Forces Day in June. Schools might like to consider how they can plan a whole school event or make time for Remembrance in November by engaging in pupil voice sessions with their Service children/young people and having conversations with their parents. Please look at the SSCE Cymru journal for some wonderful examples of how local engagement has worked to bring communities together.