Being Forces Friendly Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Sally Orange MBE is an Army veteran, endurance runner, Guinness world record holder and mental health campaigner.

In this episode, she chats to DRM Senior National Account Manager Tony Blaney about her amazing mental health projects, from running marathons dressed as a piece of fruit to swimming the Hudson, the importance of mental health awareness, her own struggles with depression and anxiety and her motivation to help others.

Don’t forget to rate Being Forces Friendly on Spotify and check out our social media channels. 

Links from this episode:

Sally’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-orange-mbe-95948741/

Armed Forces Covenant: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support

DRM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/defence-relationship-management-drm/

DRM YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrzGlgCmls6DXoqZ_LRGJiQ

The guest of today’s episode, Heledd Kendrick is the founder of an award-winning social enterprise Recruit for Spouses and a military spouse herself. Sitting down with DRM Senior Account Manager Tony Blaney, she speaks about why she felt the need to start her business, issues military spouses and partners face and also the incredible qualities and talents they can bring to business.

Don’t forget to rate Being Forces Friendly on Spotify and check out our social media channels.

Links from this episode:

Recruit for Spouses: https://recruitforspouses.co.uk/

Armed Forces Covenant: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/

DRM Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support

DRM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/defence-relationship-management-drm/

DRM YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrzGlgCmls6DXoqZ_LRGJiQ

The VETS (Veteran Employment Transition Service) project brings together forces-friendly employers who recognise the values and skills veterans bring to business. The programme enables veterans to connect with mentors from business, attend ready to work initiatives and apply for veteran targeted jobs.

In this episode Kylie Groves (DRM’S Veteran and Charities Comms Manager) spoke to veterans Lisa Marr (VETS Programme Manager, Barclays) Emma Morgan (Program Manager EMEA - Global Military Programme, Amazon) and Victoria Wales (OB Pack Area Manager Amazon) to discuss the VETS programme and share insights from their personal transition journey.

In addition to being veterans, our guests represent industry leading companies who actively recruit from the Armed Forces and are partners of the VETS programme. Victoria is also currently on the UK Invictus Team and is also on the Beacon of Hope Sailing Team who are attempting a double World Record attempt by sailing around the world in 2023.

We asked Lisa, Emma and Victoria to join us for this episode as we specifically wanted to shine a light on the female veteran experience. As the interface between the MOD and UK employers, DRM engages and educates employers on the benefits of partnering with Defence including the value of employing reservists and veterans. However, research has shown that female veterans do face specific challenges when transitioning from the Armed Forces, so that’s why, in this episode we are talking to three successful female veterans about their transition experience and how industry can better harness female service leaver talent.

VETS: https://www.veteranemployment.co.uk/

VETS Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vets/

VETS Twitter: https://twitter.com/VETSUKAF

Amazon Military Twitter: https://twitter.com/amazonmilitary

Amazon Military Events: https://amazonmilitaryeu.splashthat.com/

Amazon Military Talent Pool: https://amazon-emea-military.splashthat.com/

Invictus UK: https://invictusgames2020.com/en/

Forces In Mind Trust Report: Female veterans face more barriers to employment than male veterans https://www.fim-trust.org/news-policy-item/female-veterans-face-more-barriers-to-employment-than-male-veterans/

For more information about the Armed Forces Covenant: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/

Defence Relationship Management GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management

Please note this episode was recorded virtually due to Covid-19.

Music:

Adventures by A Himitsu

Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC By 3.0

Released by Argofox

Promoted by Audio Library

In this Anzac Day special Neil ‘Jacko’ Jackson (Director, Defence Relationship Management) is joined by Haley Ison (Director, Australian Defence Reserve and Employer Support) and Garrath Williams (Veteran and Director of Veteran Engagement, JopOppo).

Against the backdrop of Anzac Day (a day of national significance to both Australians and New Zealanders) the episode draws on the synergies between Australia and the UK. Our guests explore the employer engagement space, the perception of military skills, employability and how we can work together to promote a global partnering with Defence narrative.

Defence Reserve Support Website: www.defencereservessupport.gov.au/
Australian Defence Reserve Employer Support Linked In: www.linkedin.com/showcase/defence…mployer-support/
Defence Reserve Support 2020 National Employer Support Award Winners Video:www.defencereservessupport.gov.au/latest-n…winners/
For more information about OP Bushfire Assist: www.army.gov.au/our-news/media-re…n-bushfire-assist
Forces in Mind Trust: www.fim-trust.org/
For more info about the Armed Forces Covenant and the Employer Recognition Scheme head to : www.gov.uk/government/publicat…-recognition-scheme
For more information on OP Rescript: www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-supp…oronavirus-response
JopOppo Website: www.joboppo.co.uk/about-joboppo

ADF: Australian Defence Force
CDF: Chief of Defence Force

Please note this episode was virtually recorded due to Covid-19.

Music:
Adventures by A Himitsu
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC by 3.0
Released by Argofox
Promoted by Audio Library

Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes is an Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European multi medallist, a dame commander and MBE for services to the military, winner of sports personality of the year, European and world athlete of the year and an honorary colonel in the British Army. She is also an author, podcast host and is passionate about raising awareness of mental health. And she was this year’s Partnering with Defence virtual conference keynote speaker. In this Partnering with Defence special episode Neil ‘Jacko’ Jackson, Director of Defence Relationship Management, spoke to Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes following her keynote speech at this year’s virtual conference all about her experiences in the British Army, her life as a world renowned athlete and how she went about setting up her charity, the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust. 

Kelly Holmes Website: http://kellyholmes.co.uk/ 

Dame Kelly Holmes Trust: https://www.damekellyholmestrust.org/ 

Kelly Holmes Twitter: https://twitter.com/damekellyholmes 

Partnering with Defence Conference Website: https://pwdconference.com/ 

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support 

DRM Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

Please note this episode was recorded virtually due to Covid-19. 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC by 3.0 Released by Argofox Promoted by Audio Library

On 21 March, the 2021 census will ask respondents to state if they have ever served in the UK Armed Forces, Regular or Reserve. In this episode Neil ‘Jacko’ Jackson (Director, Defence Relationship Management), speaks with Kerryanne Wilde (Census Engagement Manager, Office for National Statistics), Damian Paterson (Deputy Director, Office for Veteran’s Affairs) and General Sir John McColl (Chairman, Cobseo) about the inclusion of this question, what it means for the UK’s veteran population and how it will help the UK become the best place in the world to be a veteran. What is the census? The census provides data on how members of society live and work, as well as informing government policy, planning and funding decisions at both a national and local level. It takes place every ten years, and collects information about people and their households. The next census is being held on 21 March 2021. This year there will be a veterans question included in the census, this means that for the first time veterans will be able to identify themselves as former military personnel. The inclusion of this question will allow for improved veterans services, with the data collected going towards informing and improving support services for former personnel. 

ONS Website (Census Page): https://www.ons.gov.uk/census 

Cobseo Website: https://www.cobseo.org.uk/ 

OVA Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-veterans-affairs

DRM Gov.uk page: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

Veteran Fact Sheet 2020: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterans-factsheet-2020 

The Strategy for our Veterans: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategy-for-our-veterans 

Veterans News and Communications Hub:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/veterans-news-and-communications-hub 

Strengthening the Covenant in Legislation: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/strengthening-the-covenant-in-legislation/ 

RBL - Count them in Campaign: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/things-to-do/campaigns-policy-and-research/campaigns/count-them-in 

Armed Forces Covenant Website: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/ 

Please note this episode was recorded virtually due to Covid-19. 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC By 3.0 Released by Argofox Promoted by Audio Library

Fujitsu is one of the top five information and communication technology providers in the world, with over 5 decades of experience delivering technology solutions to the UK Defence market. They first signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2014, which they re-signed in 2016. They joined the Employer Recognition Scheme and were first awarded Gold ERS in 2015 which was successfully revalidated in 2020. They have been industry leaders in their advocacy of the Armed Forces community for many years. Ben Onions, British Army veteran and National Account Manager for technology and telecommunication at DRM speaks to Tim Gibson, Vice President Defence and National Security and Bridget Ward, Head of People and Third Party Engagement Defence and National Security at Fujitsu UK about Fujitsu’s long standing relationship with Defence and their ongoing advocacy for the Armed Forces Community. 

CDP: Chief of Defence People 

MOD: Ministry of Defence 

ERS: Employer Recognition Scheme 

AFC: Armed Forces Covenant 

Fujitsu Defence: https://www.fujitsu.com/uk/solutions/industry/defence-national-security/ 

Fujitsu Defence Twitter: https://twitter.com/Fujitsu_Defence 

Fujitsu UK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fujitsuuk/ 

SSAFA: https://www.ssafa.org.uk/?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiAt9z-BRBCEiwA_bWv-OmMsMuVTa9D7egSrsIHerP42CVZ8nEpuLpEVWEa8YLlplvR96ABWBoCv-YQAvD_BwE 

Armed Forces Covenant website: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/ 

Employer Recognition Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme/defence-employer-recognition-scheme 

DRM Gov.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support 

Please note this episode was recorded virtually due to Covid-19. 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC By 3.0 Released by Argofox Promoted by Audio Library

The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is the official provider of armed forces resettlement. It is a partnering agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Right Management, a global career development and outplacement organisation. CTP have recently launched a brand new Partner Career Support programme (PCSP) to provide career support to spouses and partners of members of the UK Armed Forces.

In episode 9, Nat Haynes, Assistant Director of Relationship Management talks to Charlene Brookes, the Project Manager for PCSP and Lauren Hayden, a Career Consultant at CTP about this new programme launch. They discuss how the programme came about, who it is for and how it works. Charlene and Lauren explain how each participant is supported throughout and how the programme has been doing so far since its launch in October. 

MPGS: Military Provost Guard Service 

FTRS: Full Time Reserve Service 

MOD: Ministry of Defence 

CTP: https://www.ctp.org.uk/ 

CTP Twitter: https://twitter.com/CTPinfo 

Partner Career Support Programme: https://www.ctp.org.uk/partner-programme 

Naval Families Federations: https://nff.org.uk/ 

Army Families Federations: https://aff.org.uk/ 

RAF Families Federations: https://www.raf-ff.org.uk/ 

Forces Families Jobs: https://www.forcesfamiliesjobs.co.uk/ 

X-Forces: https://www.x-forces.com/ 

Employer Recognition Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme/defence-employer-recognition-scheme 

DRM Gov.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

DRM Twitter: https://twitter.com/DRM_Support 

Please note this episode was recorded virtually due to Covid-19. 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC By 3.0 Released by Argofox Promoted by Audio Library

Salesforce is a global leader in cloud enterprise software, helping organisations across the world to use cloud technology to better connect with their employees, customers, partners and communities. They have just received their Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award and are industry leaders in their advocacy for the Armed Forces Community. 

In Episode 8, DRM’s Veteran’s and Charities Communications manager Kylie Groves sits down with Sarwar Khan, Head of Government Affairs and James Moore, a Success Manager at Salesforce UK as well as being the UK Vetforce President. In part one they discuss Salesforce’s partnership with Defence, from signing the Armed Forces Covenant to gaining their Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award this year. Our guests cover a range of topics from Salesforce’s diverse military network through to the organisational values that underpin their commitment and support to the armed forces community. 

Salesforce Military: https://veterans.force.com/s/ 

Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com/uk/ 

Salesforce UK Twitter: https://twitter.com/SalesforceUK 

Armed Forces Covenant: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/ 

Employer Recognition Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme/defence-employer-recognition-scheme 

DRM: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

Office for Veterans' Affairs: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-veterans-affairs 

Career Transition Partnership: https://www.ctp.org.uk/ 

RFEA: https://www.rfea.org.uk/ 

The Poppy Factory: https://www.poppyfactory.org/ 

Please note this episode was recorded virtually due to Covid-19. 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC By 3.0 Released by Argofox Promoted by Audio Library

Salesforce is a global leader in cloud enterprise software, helping organisations across the world to use cloud technology to better connect with their employees, customers, partners and communities. They have just received their Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award and are industry leaders in their advocacy for the Armed Forces Community. 

Episode 8 part two continues with DRM’s Veteran’s and Charities Communications manager Kylie Groves talking to Sarwar Khan (Head of Government Affairs) and James Moore (Success Manager) from Salesforces UK. In part two we talk more in depth about Salesforce’s Vetforce community and James’ own personal experience transitioning from the military into the civilian workplace. 

Salesforce Military: https://veterans.force.com/s/ 

Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com/uk/ 

Salesforce UK Twitter: https://twitter.com/SalesforceUK 

Armed Forces Covenant: https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/ 

Employer Recognition Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-employer-recognition-scheme/defence-employer-recognition-scheme 

DRM: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-relationship-management 

Office for Veterans' Affairs: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-veterans-affairs 

Career Transition Partnership: https://www.ctp.org.uk/ 

RFEA: https://www.rfea.org.uk/ 

The Poppy Factory: https://www.poppyfactory.org/ 

Please note this episode was recorded virtually due to Covid-19. 

Music: Adventures by A Himitsu Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0 Unported- CC By 3.0 Released by Argofox Promoted by Audio Library