SSCE Cymru journal

On the morning of Thursday 8th Febuary, Baglan Primary School, in Neath Port Talbot, were presented with their Silver Armed Forces Friendly School (AFFS) Cymru status, in recognition of their whole school approach when creating a positive and welcoming environment for Service children on their role. 

The fourth and final Forces Festival was held in South Wales and took place in Maindy Barracks on 23rd January 2024. The event saw over 70 Service children and their peers come together from ten different schools across Bridgend, Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Vale of Glamorgan for a day of fun and exciting activities and workshops. Service children were able to share their experiences with fellow Service children and make friends from other schools.

On Tuesday January 23rd the Service children at Baglan Primary school had a visit from the Army Engagement Team. They spent some time with the team and took part in STEM activities. 

Jo (Participation Leader Officer) was invited to Baglan Primary School to visit their Little Troopers Cub. 

The SSCE Cymru had a really interesting and informative day at the SCiP (Service Children's Progression) Alliance annual conference in Birmingham, which this year had a theme of 'Identify matters'.

Llanfair Primary School in the Vale of Glamorgan hosted a celebration asssembly upon receiving their Armed Forces Friendly School (AFFS) Cymru Bronze status. 

Service children and young people from schools across North Wales come together for the first Forces Festival in North Wales hosted by SSCE Cymru at RAF Valley.

On the Saturday 18th November, our Participation Lead Officer, Jo was joined by some of our Service children Ambassadors at this years Young Wales Festival. This event took place in the Great Hall of the Bay Campus, Swansea University and was hosted by Children in Wales. 

Baglan Primary school achieve their Bronze Armed Forces Friendly Schools Cymru Status!

The second of SSCE Cymru’s Armed Forces Festivals took place on 8th November 2023 at Raglan Barracks for Service children across East Wales.

On Saturday 28th October 2023, we celebrated the first ever Service Children Awards Cymru. Brought to you by the Veterans Awards CIC, in partnership with SSCE Cymru, sponsored by Powys Council, General Dynamics, YourNorth and Forces Fitness. The awards ceremony was held at the Infantry Battle School, Brecon, supported by the Army and RAF engagement teams and included music performed by the fantastic band of the Prince of Wales!

Congratulations to all the finalists. We really enjoyed celebrating with you all!!!!

The charity partner for this years Service childrens awards Cymru was the fantastic Little Troopers.

At the event, we also took the opportunity to celebrate the achievement of the schools in Wales who have achieved their Gold Armed Forces Friendly School Cymru status.

See all the photos from the event in the gallery at the bottom of the page.

On Wednesday 25th October Jo Wolfe (PLO) & Emma Reeves (RSLO West Wales) attended the Carmarthenshire Youth Council day at Parc y Scarletts Llanelli, West Wales. 

SSCE Cymru host the first Armed Forces Festival for Service children!

Some members of the SSCE Cymru team attended Forces Children Scotland's reception at the Scottish Parliament Building. 

Jo, our Participation Lead Officer (PLO), has been out and about on school visits and called into Llantwit Major High School to catch up with Lyla, one of our Service child ambassadors. Lyla has recently been nominated and selected as a finalist in this years Service Children Awards Cymru 2023.

The SCiP Alliance held their Service children's support sector development day in Leeds to get stakeholders together to explore ways to improve provision for children and young people from Armed Forces families.

Millie, the SSCE Cymru Programme Manager, was joined by Cara, RSLO (North) and Jo, Participation Lead Officer (PLO) at the WLGA Conference 2023 in Llandudno, North Wales. 

SSCE Cymru team members joined Mount Street Infants School in Brecon, Powys, to celebrate the first school in Wales to achieve the Gold Armed Forces Friendly Schools Cymru status.

Millie and Emilee had a great day at Wales' National Armed Forces Day, hosted by Newport City Council.

Cwmclydach Primary School celebrated Armed Forces Day this year through learning about the Armed Forces in class, meeting Welsh Guards Warrant Officer, Ryan Anthony, and Sargeant Major,  as well as Forces Fitness fun and games in the afternoon!