What we do

East Anglia RFCA core business pillars are based around the three Defence outputs of Estates, Engagement and Cadets and Youth.

Estates

We manage and maintain over 200 Reserve Forces and Cadet sites across the region, the acquisition and disposal of land and buildings and adapting homes for injured service personnel.

Cadets

Our professional support staff run the Army Cadet Forces in our counties, including administration of youth and adult memberships, maintaining the sites, supplies, equipment and vehicles.

Engagement

We assist the civil community, employers and local authorities with understanding the needs of Defence people and developing appropriate support and services for the region.

Venue Hire

Our sites are available to hire for training and conferences. Our sites are secure, often with plenty of free parking, well equipped and all proceeds are invested back into the estate.

Members Network

Our network of advocates for Reserves and Cadets share their knowledge and enthusiasm to create local engagement opportunities.

Continuity of knowledge

We provide the continuity of knowledge and experience in all matters relating to Reserves and cadets, as we are not subject to the two to three year staff turnover that befalls Regular Armed Forces personnel.

29 NEW CADET UNITS IN SCHOOLS

We helped the government achieve its target of setting up 500 new cadet units in schools in the UK by 2020. 

EXPANDING YOUNG PEOPLE'S HORIZONS

We are proud to represent and support not just the Cadets, but the Adult Instructors and Permanent Staff that make all of this activity possible.

THE BEST PLACES TO TRAIN

We reinvested £225k of revenue from hiring out our buildings this year into refurbishments for Cadets and Reserves across the region.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY

Cadet Administrative Assistants (CAAs) for example are full-time employees of the RFCA and are embedded in the Army Cadet Force, responsible for all administration matters and logistics within his/her area. 

Our Work Engaging with the community

We work closely with local communities to increase the profile of our Cadet and Reserve Units and help Local Authorities understand the needs of the Armed Forces Community.

ARMED FORCES AND CADETS CELEBRATION DAY AT LUTON ARMY RESERVE CENTRE

We held a family-friendly Armed Forces Celebration Day for the public and special guests with 678 Sqn 6 Regiment Army Air Corps, alongside Meaningful Education. 

WE HELP LOCAL AUTHORITIES DELIVER THEIR PLEDGE

Our Engagement team and association members work with local authorities to help them deliver the Armed Forces Covenant in their communities.  

WE PROMOTE RESERVES DAY

Our campaigns for Reserves Day and other national campaigns aimed at championing Reserves & Cadets, like the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, contributed to raising awareness in the community.

OUR CONTENT WAS SERVED 415,000 TIMES THIS YEAR

We use our digital channels to amplify the stories from Reserves and Cadet and the wider Armed Forces community to extend their reach and impact. We also published 100 news stories of our own this year and our monthly newsletter was read 5400 times. 

Our Work Engaging with employers

We improve understanding of the Reserve Forces and Cadets contribution to the workforce and promote the Armed Forces Covenant as a means for employers to demonstrate their commitment to Defence People.

WE ADVISE EMPLOYERS WITH DEPLOYMENT QUERIES

We provide support for Defence People and employers on recruitment, retention, resettlement, rehabilitation, corporate business and operational objectives.

Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognotion Scheme Silver Awrd winners collect their certificates at a special event in Cambridge

WE HELPED 29 EMPLOYERS ACHIEVE A MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AWARD THIS YEAR

Our Engagement staff and association members promote the Employer Recognition Scheme to over 3,000 employers, with over 275 employers holding a bronze, silver or gold award from the Ministry of Defence in East Anglia. 

OVER 330 EMPLOYERS HAVE SIGNED THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT IN EAST ANGLIA

We encourage employers who recognise the benefit of supporting Defence, and want to publicly declare their support for Defence People, to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. 

WE HOST NETWORKING EVENTS TO FOR EMPLOYERS

Our networking events, often held inside a military base, include guest speakers like reservists, CTP, and Forces Families Federations, so that employers can gain a better understanding of the Armed Forces Covenant and how they can partner with Defence. 

On behalf of the Ministry of Defence, our main effort lies in maintaining fit-for-purpose sites for reservists to train in. The provision of training facilities is essential to the recruiting and retention effort.

Throughout the year we also provide funding grants for adventure training packages, parades and other activities in support of the Army and Royal Auxiliary Air Force units across the region.

Our Work with the Reserve Forces

WE OFFER GRANTS TO THE RESERVE FORCES

We supply grants for adventure training packages, parades, sports competitions fees and other activities.

WE PROVIDE THE BEST PLACES TO TRAIN 

Our Estates team deliver highly cost effective maintenance and building solutions on the 14 Army Reserve Centres in East Anglia.

WE SECURE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE ESTATE

 We are funded to undertake statutory and mandatory testing and inspections, with a small fund for urgent reactive maintenance. We generate income from hiring agreements and other sources to invest in upgrades to the Army Reserve Centres.

WE ASSIST THE RESERVE FORCES TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY

With over 2,000 Reservists, East Anglia has a strong Army and Royal Air Force footprint across the region.

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