Wessex RFCA brings South West Armed Forces community together to strengthen whole of society support

Stakeholders from across the Armed Forces community came together at Wessex Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association’s annual Defence Insight Briefing and AGM, highlighting the importance of collaboration in supporting the full breadth of the Armed Forces community across the South West.

Held at Taunton Racecourse on the 24^th September 2026, the event brought together representatives from across the military, public, private, voluntary and community sectors, with a particular focus on veterans and the support available to them.

The briefing provided an opportunity for organisations and individuals working across the Armed Forces community to share insight, build relationships and consider how a whole of society approach can strengthen support for those who serve, have served and their families. Among those attending were stakeholders and facilitators working across the Reserve Forces, Cadet Forces, veteran community, Armed Forces Covenant, employment, local government and the voluntary sector.

Attendees heard from Polly Miller Perkins CBE, the UK’s first Armed Forces Commissioner, who spoke about her role in providing an independent voice for serving personnel and their families.

The programme also featured contributions from organisations working directly with the Armed Forces community, including:

• Ellen O’Connor, Royal British Legion

• Jo Lucas, REED in Partnership

• Will Oulton, South West Armed Forces Covenant Partnership Board

• Laura van der Merwe, VALOUR

The event also marked an important moment for Wessex RFCA as its new President, Peaches Golding, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ, joined the organisation in its work supporting the Armed Forces community across the South West.

Peaches said about the event: “Thank all of you for attending today, I hope there has been something of value to you, despite the whole range of backgrounds and roles you are in.

“Today has been such an impactful AGM and Insight Briefing…I’d like to again reflect on the composition of the room. It is wonderful to see old friend, but it is really great to see new faces. Thank you for coming along today and helping us to do what it is we do, for those Cadets, Reservists and Adult Volunteers in the South West.”

While Wessex RFCA has a statutory role supporting the Reserve Forces and Cadet Forces, its reach across the region extends far beyond those communities. Through its work delivering the Armed Forces Covenant and Employer Recognition Scheme, Wessex RFCA connects the Armed Forces community with employers, local authorities, businesses, charities, community organisations and civic leaders across the South West.

This creates a network that spans the full journey of the Armed Forces community, from young people involved in the Cadet Forces and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, through Reservists and serving personnel, to Armed Forces leavers, veterans, families and Armed Forces spouses. It also brings together all three Services and creates connections between military chains of command and the civilian organisations that play an important role in supporting the Armed Forces community.

The Defence Insight Briefing demonstrated the value of this network, bringing together people who might otherwise work in different parts of the Armed Forces community but share a common objective: ensuring that those who serve, have served and their families are supported by the communities around them. For Wessex RFCA, this whole of society approach is central to its role across the South West.

By acting as a connector between the Armed Forces, employers, local government, the voluntary and community sector and civic society, Wessex RFCA helps create the relationships and partnerships that enable the region to support its Armed Forces community collectively.

The Defence Insight Briefing was held alongside Wessex RFCA’s Annual General Meeting, providing an opportunity to reflect on the organisation’s work over the past year and its continuing role at the heart of the South West Armed Forces community.

RBL Slides: RBL Presentation September 26

Defence Insight Brief Slides: WxRFCA Defence Insight Brief