Reserves Day and Armed Forces Day 2023

LJMU is marking both Reserves Day (Wednesday 21 June) and Armed Forces Day (Saturday 24 June) as part of its pledge to support the Armed Forces community under the Armed Forces Covenant.

Reserves Day recognises the Reserve Forces for their outstanding contribution to the country and the skills that reservists can bring to civilian employment, such as in higher education.

Armed Forces Day is a chance to show support for the people who make up the Armed Forces community, from current serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets.

Throughout the week the LJMU website and on-campus digital screens will signpost people to find out all of the ways that the university is coming together to better support the Armed Forces community. From exploring research opportunities to its staff reservist policy to the work of its first Armed Forces Champion and the cross-university Armed Forces Steering Group.

Armed Forces Champion, Dr Gus Ryrie, said: “LJMU has made steady progress since signing the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021 and this year we’ve made significant steps towards enhancing that commitment. That’s been in part through my own appointment as the university’s first Armed Forces Champion and in bringing together expertise across research, as well as student and staff support services, to ensure that LJMU can better serve the Armed Forces community both on campus and further afield.” 

Adam is a Police Officer undertaking his Policing Studies Apprenticeship at LJMU and is also an Army reservist. He said: “What I really enjoy about the Army reserve is the ability to undertake training in things that you just wouldn't have access to in civilian life, along with gaining great skills that crossover into my personal life and to my work and studies.”

LJMU support for the Armed Forces community key milestones

• October 2021: Signed the national Armed Forces Covenant
• October 2022: Achieved bronze status under the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• June 2022: Members of professional services staff networked with students and staff at the annual ‘Students at the Heart’ conference bringing onboard more members to the informal Armed Forces Group
• November 2022: Students and staff marked Remembrance with the Vice-Chancellor on campus in a moment of reflection
• April 2023: Implemented the Military Veterans and Reservists Policy outlining its support for Reserve Forces in the workplace and their partners
• May 2023: Appointed an Armed Forces Champion, a first for the university, and formalised its cross-university Armed Forces Steering Group, strengthening its commitment to the Armed Forces community
• May 2023: Received the silver award under the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, just more then six months after achieving the bronze award
• June 2023: LJMU Armed Forces Champion presented to students and staff at the annual ‘Students at the Heart’ conference about the development of its student support streams
• June 2023: LJMU Armed Forces Champion attended a campus Open Day for the first time

A whole host of research and knowledge exchange projects linked to Armed Forces charities and organisations have been on-going for many years, led by experts across a variety of subject matters at LJMU.

Armed Forces Day exhibition: War Widows Quilt at St George’s Hall

On Saturday 24 June 2023, in honour of Armed Forces Day, St George’s Hall, Liverpool, will host a special exhibition of the War Widows Quilt, part of the War Widows Stories project led by LJMU academic Dr Nadine Muller.

The exhibition is free to attend between 10am and 4pm at St George’s Hall. To mark this special occasion, a drinks reception will be held from 4.30pm to 6pm. Tickets for the reception can be obtained through Eventbrite.

More about the War Widows Quilt.