Call for staff support for LJMU's Armed Forces Steering Group

Since its formalisation in spring 2023, the university’s Armed Forces Steering Group has made steady progress in its ambition to better support students and staff from the Armed Forces community, and to create positive change outside of LJMU through research and collaboration.

From the introduction of enhanced staff support, through the staff Military Veterans and Reservist Policy, to strengthening links with our students who take part in tri-service cadet and training corps activities, the group continues to drive forward the university’s overall commitment under the Armed Forces Covenant.

The steering group would like more colleagues from across the university to get involved with their work as they look to:

• Strengthen connections and drive new collaborations with organisations that work to enhance the lives and experiences of service leavers and military families
• Pursue further cross-faculty research opportunities
• Enhance the support on offer for both prospective and current students and staff

You can get in touch with the group, and our Armed Forces Champion Dr Gus Ryrie, via the group’s contact us form.

Submission for Gold award under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme

In May 2023, LJMU gained a Silver award under the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme in acknowledgement of the university-wide effort being undertaken in support of the Armed Forces Covenant pledge.

Representatives of the Armed Forces Steering Group are looking to make a submission for the Gold award in March 2024 and would like anyone who has undertaken work with, or in support of, the Armed Forces community to get in touch in case this can be used as evidence in support of our application. Of particular interest are examples of LJMU connections with any local cadet groups such as the Sea Cadets, Volunteer Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps or Combined Cadet Force. 

Email Wendy Bowe or Amanda Mannion with any information you think might act as evidence for the application.

LJMU’s support for the Armed Forces community

LJMU signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021. Since then, it has appointed its first Armed Forces Champion and formed a cross-university Armed Forces Steering Group, which brings together colleagues across all factions of the university to drive forwards everything from research to HR policy development, all with the aim of better supporting students and staff from the Armed Forces community and creating positive change for the community across the UK.

Find out more about our pledge to the Armed Forces community.