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There is no summary of this meeting yet. One is written once the council publishes the minutes. The agenda and papers are below.
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The Minutes of the Panel held on 26 January 2026 were agreed as a correct record.
Finola Pickwell had given apologies for the meeting as she was attending a training course, but had submitted the following update via e mail. Since the last meeting I attended the UK National Armed Forces Transition event in Silverstone, supporting 106 Brigade. A very interesting event I would highly recommend to any business wishing to recruit a skilled workforce from those who have served in the Armed Forces. In March there was a VALOUR engagement meeting held at HMS Cambria attended by a large variety of organisation’s supporting our veterans. It was evident from the scenario’s that they haven’t yet grasped the difference of Wales with it’s AFLOs to the rest of the UK who don’t have the same support. At the end of April, I joined the Minister for Veterans & People, Louise Sandher-Jones when she attended a Tai Tarian Housing Ltd to find out more about their project for purpose built accommodation for homeless veterans. The project includes additional support while they are resident in the accommodation to get them back into stable environment, when they will move to more permanent accommodation within Tai Tarin. The minister then went on to visit Bulldogs Boxing & Community Activities (Bulldogs BCA), where she met with the four hubs that make up Connected Forces Cymru, the first VALOUR accredited hub in Wales. the minister was also joined by the new Wales VALOUR Manager, Lisa Rawlings. I have attended HMP Swansea in support of the veterans in custody. The new VICSO in Swansea is hoping to hold more regular meetings and request that any organisation’s who feel they maybe able to support veterans in custody to please make contact: Thomas, Michael [HMPS] - Michael.Thomas4@justice.gov.uk; Rendall, Jessica [HMPS] - Jessica.Rendall@justice.gov.uk. This was followed early in May by a visit from the Secretary of State for Wales, the Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP who came to Bulldogs BCA to meet with the four hubs that make up Connected Forces Cymru and talk to veterans about the current problems they are facing. Thank you to Wayne Jenkins, Swansea Veterans Hub for organising a poignant service for the 15th Anniversary of Op Telic remembering those who fought and died in Afghanistan. Saturday 6 June saw the Mid & West Wales Fire Service, who have just renewed their signing of the Armed Forces Covenant. The Fireman’s challenge with firemen attending from all over the UK. A well-attended event spoilt only by the weather and one I would encourage any veteran organisation’s to support next year – keep an eye out for it in ‘What’s Occurrin’. For those of you that aren’t aware, nearly all fire stations have a room that can be hired by the community for meetings or groups free of charge. Last Wednesday we held the first Swansea Forces Fest for some years, inviting all Swansea Schools to bring their military children to an event of fun activities in Army Reserve Centre in the Mumbles. Eight of the thirty seven schools took up the invitation, and 26 children from KS1 – KS5 enjoyed the day. Big thanks to Tesco, Impact Wellbeing Solutions, Bulldogs BCA, 157 RLC and the Army engagement team for providing the activities and supporting the event. All the children thoroughly enjoyed the day. The Armed Forces Covenant Conference is on the 23 & 24 June in Portsmouth Guildhall, where I will be presenting on the role of the AFLO alongside a fellow AFLO and the Welsh Government. Places at the conference are now sold out, but you can access the live streaming if required. FUNDING AFCFT The Together for Service Families: place-based grants programme will award portfolio grants of up to £350,000 for projects that aim to mitigate the impact of separation and relocation for families of serving personnel and reservists in specific locations in the UK. Closing date: 19 Aug 2026 Under the VALOUR Recognised Centres (VRCs) Development Fund, the Trust will award grants on behalf of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs of up to £1m to provide veterans, and then the wider armed forces community, with in-person guidance and support. Closing date: 25 June 2026 The Service Pupil Support programme sits with MOD’s dedicated Armed Forces Families Fund. The MOD has partnered with the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to administer the AF3 Fund. Under this programme, the Trust will award grants for projects which support service children along their educational pathway. Closing date: 30 Sep 2026 Early Years Programme. Under this programme the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust will award grants of between £5,000 and £80,000 on behalf of the MOD’s Armed Forces Families Fund Early Years programme, towards projects lasting up to two years, which help enhance early childhood education and childcare settings to meet specific needs of young children from armed forces families. 15 July 2026 VCSE Charities working with serving personnel, veterans and military families can now apply for grants of up to £10,000 through the BFBS Big Salute Grants Programme. Delivered by the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS), the programme provides funding for projects that address the unique challenges faced by members of the armed forces community both in the UK and overseas. The fund aims to support initiatives that improve wellbeing, strengthen community connections and enhance quality of life for military personnel, veterans, reservists and their families. for more information visit: VCSE news and resources
Navy Lt Cdr Andy Davies outlined that he had taken a gap from the Navy and was full time with the reserves, so was not unfortunately not 100% up to speed with all events currently, but would give a more detailed update to the next meeting. He indicated that as of the 4th of June, he was now the officer in charge of Tawe Division so with our colleagues in the other military services we can get involved in various events, please reach out to me. I'm the point of contact and we'll endeavour to get the reserves there as well as the sea cadets, who I can signpost the information to them as well, as well as the R&A. Army Sgt Ade Robinson on behalf of Capt Huw Williams who was on annual leave then gave an update on the following areas: The Sqn has had a significantly busy past few months supporting and delivering events in and round the AO, some of the highlights have been: Exercise Studious Dragon 27 Feb – 1 Mar: – the Regiment deployed to Donnington to celebrate St David’s Day, this included a study day and a Regimental Dinner Night. On the 3 March: Gower College visited the ARC where we put on a number of stands to provide them with information and activities to challenge their minds and bodies. On the 18 March, the Squadron, along with the Defence Regional Management Team held an employer engagement event and information evening for employers of our reservists and also those organisation’s who are aligned to the Covenant. This was held in the Grange ARC and was deemed a successful event, highlighting the successes achieved by Sqn & regimental members and what the unit has achieved. On the 10 May a VE Day commemoration service was held on Tawe Bridge. This was well attended and a fitting tribute to those who embarked on securing the liberation of Europe 82 years ago. Over the 26-28 May we held three events in collaboration with Tesco, highlighting opportunities the Army reserve offers, these events were held in Carmarthen, Fforestfach and Bridgend. On the 4 June we held an event at the ARC with Ospreys in the community where circa 30 teenagers attended the ARC to receive an insight into military service and other emergency services briefings. One stand, hosted by the RNLI provided specific safety advice to the children in relation to open water safety. On the 10 June we hosted Swansea Forces Fest, an event held in the ARC with an aspiration to bring all service children who attend schools in Swansea together. We had 30 children attend out of the 122 who are recorded as attending school in Swansea with a parent or guardian serving in the Regular of Reserve Forces. This was the first event of it’s kind engaging with the schools of Swansea and it is hoped that more schools will participate in future events. We have lots of events coming up, these are listed below: Date Event Title Location Timings PME Remarks 22 Jun 26 Armed Forces Day Flag Raising Neath Civic Building 1000 hrs Yes and approved 22 Jun 26 Armed Forces Day Flag Raising Guildhall Rotunda, Swansea 1330 arrive 1400 service Yes and approved 26 Jun 26 Centenarian Birthday Bulldogs Port Talbot TBC N/A 27 Jun 26 Wales Armed Forces Day Pembrey Country Park 1200-2100 Not responsible Free coaches available from the Civic Centre. 5 Jul 26 Mumbles Armed Forces Day Underhill Park TBC Submitted by Air cadets Point of contact Mr Paul Whittaker 10Jul 26 Baglan Primary Tea Party Baglan Primary school 1200-1500 N/A 19 Jul Mumbles raft Race Mumbles lifeboat TBC N/A 24-26 Jul Wales Airshow Oystermouth Road 24th 1200 onwards set up Yes and approved If you have events you would like us to assist with, please let us know. We continue to actively recruit, so if you know of anyone who is considering a career in the military, please send them our way. Some other news: one of our private soldiers – Private Cheryl Tanner represented the Army at the Inter-Services Ultra marathon event held at RAF Halton – she came third within her age category and helped the Army team win the over all championship. Sticking with running, she also entered the Pembroke Coast Challenge, a 100-mile event along the Pembrokeshire cost line. Once again, she gave a sterling effort, being crowned female winner and placed 7th overall. We still have one of our soldiers deployed overseas and he returns at the end of July ready to spend some well-deserved time with his family after being deployed since April 2025. Looking further ahead and into 2027, the Regiment will be deploying to Cyprus on Operation TOSCA, the UN peacekeeping mission across the Green Line. This I something the troops are really looking forward to. Air Force Ella Fortune was present representing Air Cdre Wood who is attending various events in north Wales over the next few days. Not much to report other than we're busy as always. We have got a new regional employer engagement officer starting soon, that post has been gapped for a just over a year but we've got a new one starting in July with Wing Commander Matt Best. So if anyone would like contact details for him going forward, please let me know. We have got a big push like everyone else, Army and Navy for National Armed Forces Day, the Royal Welsh and then Wales National Air Show. So busy, busy couple of months for us. Usual challenges that we've obviously got the Air Officer of Wales is only on a 90 day contract so he is a very is a busy man, but please, please reach out if you do want him or the Air Force to represent an event because I will do my best.
Victoria Williams reported that she was proud to have been nominated in 2 categories in the Veteran Awards which is being held on 8th July. She would be attending the ceremony and was looking forward to seeing other people there on the night She also provided an update on veterans' mental health services, including referral statistics, waiting times etc and outlined that they had been successful in securing a psychiatrist Dr Keith Lloyd which is an excellent step forward and would assist the service greatly. They are the 2nd busiest department in Wales for referrals, only Betsi Cadwaladr receive more but they have twice the population. She detailed that she had been writing a service improvement plan pathway for veterans with substance use needs, and had recently met with Sue Gwynn from Bryn Howell House. She highly recommended the facility and its bursary place for veterans with a detox scheme. They hope to expand the offer going forward. We then link with Bryn Howell to provide a seamless pathway from detox/rehab for people with military mental health issues. Our clinical network meeting is this Thursday but is only held in person only, for those wishing to attend. Hopefully that will be well attended.
No representatives present.
V-Aid Tony Strutt updated the panel that they had moved out of Swansea Prison due to the lack of veteran inmates there and with a view of expanding their service. The charity is now being based in Mt Pleasant and should be more accessible to more veterans now, and able to better work with other groups in delivering support and help to veterans. The food scheme and provision continues to grow and he detailed the very successful trip with supplies and aid to Ukraine. He had been accompanied by James Phillips the Veterans Commissioner, who really enjoyed the experience. He outlined the next trip is planned for September and he detailed the link up with the Police and Crime Commissioners which involves the donation by them of several vehicles from them to the project which is warmly welcomed. Bulldogs Ceri Stiwell reported that they were still working through the planning stages of the OVA & MOD to get Valour started. Valour is a project between ourselves, Swansea Veterans Hub, VC Gallery and Woody's Lodge. We are the valid recognised hubs for South Wales and that were successful in round one. So yeah, just again planning and there's lots of information that we've had to share with the OVA in terms of data and assurance. So I'm hoping that we're going to be starting in the next couple of weeks, which is fantastic. We have some new projects at the moment that have started. We have recieved some funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund to support reservists and their families through our Hidden Voices, through the Hidden Voices Programme. So it's called Between Two Worlds. So the idea is that we work with reserve teams and their families to support them with that transition to military and civilian life. So we've started engagement on that project. We also have some funding to deliver a project supporting the mental health and wellbeing for serving personnel and veterans families. So we're working in conjunction with Neath Port Talbot Mind to deliver that project where there'll be sessions available at the Bulldogs or in Neath. And we also are still working really hard on our housing project, which is outside of Neath Port Talbot in RCT, but I've been up there this morning and the guys are doing a fantastic job. But we're also making moves now with our housing project in partnership with Tai Tarian, which will be in Port Talbot. So there'll be updates upcoming soon for that project as well. We will also be attending Armed Forces Day at Pembroke Country Park and the Air Show as well. She detailed that one of their veterans who served in the Artillery would be 100 shortly so we are having a bit of a celebration for him, which is fantastic. And if any of you would like an invitation, please let me know. I've sent lots of stuff out to people in NPT, but if anyone from Swansea would like to attend, please get in touch. Royal British Legion Phil Flower reported that the amount raised in Swansea during the Poppy Appeal 25/26 was £81k, which is a really fantastic effort by the people of Swansea when compared to the Cardiff amount which was £20k less. He outlined that the RBL would shortly circulate a list of the various events for the rest of 2026 which include the Battle of Britain Service, which will be held in St Hilary’s Church, Killay, the Ride to Remember around the Gower and the Festival of Remembrance. He detailed that the Royal Air Force Association in Swansea is scoping the facilitation of a memorial in St. Hilary's Church in Upper Kelly. There are 22 war graves there, 21 of which are members of the Royal Air Forces of the Commonwealth. We've had a few meetings and we are dealing or liaising with the Royal Air Force, Royal Air Force Association and the diocese for this memorial to be placed in Upper Killay which would be good. And the Air Officer Wales, Councillor Lewis and associated VIPs will be invited to that. It's probably going to be in April next year, once we achieve all the funding for the memorial, probably in line with the formation of the Royal Air Force on the 1st of April. Another point to raise is the involvement of the schools in the city of Swansea, which was a national event which I took on. I worked for the British Legion covering South Williams with the property appeal, and it was a pilot scheme held in Swansea for 90 primary schools, and Kelly who is attendance today, is the one responsible for engaging and putting all the boxes out and getting them back in. I think we raised about £8 to 9k, and only two schools out of the 90 didn’t engage. We hope to extend to NPT next year. He indicated that the awards were warmly welcomed by the 3 schools who won the awards and the children involved were excellent. He indicated he had suggested a move for the 3 eastside schools to move their event from a Friday from a Saturday to aid the teachers and young people. Councillor Lewis supported the comments on the amount of money raised in Swansea and the success of the schools competition. Swansea Council Spencer Martin outlined that there are still several tables avaible in the Covenant tent at the Air Show. These are for awareness raising/information purposes only and not a fund raising pitch for organisations. Anyone wanting a table should get in touch asap.
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