The NE RFCA's local footprint and standing means that we are ideally situated to promote both the Armed Forces and the regional Cadet movements. One way of doing this is by organising, supporting and publicising events that bring the military and civilian populations together; additionally, by promoting the Armed Forces Covenant, our Reserve opportunities, the ‘cadet experience’, and the Estate they work within, all help with local awareness. This engagement enables us to foster a wider understanding of the Armed Forces within our local communities and business employers. It also provides a greater appreciation of Service personnel and the regional Cadet Forces. We simply see ourselves as the enabling voice of the Reserves and Cadets within the North East.
We comprise a body of volunteer members drawn from all strata of society in the North East, all of whom advocate on behalf of Defence. We are administered by a 19-strong, professional Crown Servant secretariat headquartered at 53 Old Elvet in Durham, with a further 27 Crown Servants administering the three Army Cadet Force Counties of Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland from their HQs at Cramlington, Chester-le-Street and Middlesbrough. In practical terms we all provide Defence with support and engagement networks to enable Reserves and Cadets to thrive within the North East; we essentially assist with understanding and collaboration between the military and civil communities.
To find out more about the RFCA's engagement within the North East contact our Head of Engagement, Robin Bolton.
Congratulations to four amazing north east employers who were recognised for their outstanding support to the Armed Forces community at a ceremony held at the Hotel Indigo, Durham on 25 September. Find out more
Huge congratulations to eight North East companies who were part of the 202 MOD ERS Gold Awards awarded nationally in recognition of their support to the Armed Forces Community. Find out more
Dame Susan Snowdon, DCVO, Lord Lieutenant of Co Durham and Vice President NE RFCA salutes the Armed Forces Find out more
The Ministry of Defence announced today that, nationally, 307 organisations have been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Awards for 2025. Find out more
"A landmark shift in our deterrence ..... " Find out more
As part of the national events celebrating VE Day 80, Northumberland County Council in association with SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, held a memorial service at Hexham Abbey on 8 May. Find out more
NE RFCA hosted the Defence Insight Dinner at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, on Thursday 20 March 2025 Find out more
GOLD AWARDS FOR NORTH EAST EMPLOYERS. Once again employers from the NE RFCA region have been awarded the MOD’s ERS Gold Awards in recognition of their support to the Armed Forces community. Find out more
A special occasion became even more special when Mayor Kim McGuinness, the newly elected, first North East Mayor, signed the North of England Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association’s 800th Armed Forces Covenant at the North East Combined Authorities (NECA) Headquarters in Newcastle on Wednesday 31 July 2024. Find out more
Headquarters North will be formally established on 1st August 2024 when the
current Headquarters North East (based in Catterick and embedded in
Headquarters 4 Light Brigade Combat Team and HQ NE) and Headquarters
North West (in Preston) are merged. Find out more
The NE RFCA region saw our local authorities and communities join the rest of the country in flying the Armed Forces Day flag in support of our Armed Forces. Find out more
Mrs Sue Snowdon, Lord Lieutenant of County Durham and Vice President North of England RFCA commemorates the D-Day 80th Anniversary with a letter to all Cadet Forces within her County. Find out more
Tues 5 Mar 24, Mrs Sue Snowdon, Lord Lieutenant of County Durham and Vice-President NE RFCA, presented her Lord Lieutenant's Certificates for Meritorious Service to members of the Reserves, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and civilian staff from all 3 Services Find out more
On Tuesday, 27 Feb 24, Mrs Jo Ropner, Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire and Vice-President North of England RFCA, presented her Lord Lieutenant's Certificates for Meritorious Service. Find out more
The Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations' (RFCA) annual conference on 8 November attracted a diverse audience from the RFCA networks. Find out more
“A credit to the County and the cadet movements they represent”. Lt Col Barney Barnbrook, Regional Director North East and Yorkshire Army Benevolent Fund, said of the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadets who took part in the Festival of Remembrance Service at Durham Cathedral on Saturday,
11 November 2023. Find out more
As one of our supportive employers and a Silver Award winner of the MOD’s Employer Recognition Scheme, Northumbria Police Force was invited to send a representative to observe members of the Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) on their cold-climate training programme in Bardufoss, Norway in March this year. That ‘lucky volunteer’ was Deputy Chief Constable Debbie Ford, who joined 14 other organisations from London, Highland RFCA and Lowland RFCA on a different sort of exercise……. Find out more
Seven North East employers awarded Gold for their support to the Armed Forces. Find out more
The Step into Health programme connects ex-service candidates from across the Armed Forces community with employers and new opportunities in the NHS. This event will take place on Wednesday 19th July and is specifically aimed at the Armed Forces Community. Find out more
We are pleased to announce that 19 North of England organisations, in demonstrating their support to the Armed Forces, have been recognised by the award of the MOD’s Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award. In addition, twelve organisations, having shown their continued support over the previous 5 years, have had their Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award revalidated. Find out more
GOLD AWARDS FOR NORTH EAST EMPLOYERS. Nine NE Employers have been awarded Gold for their support to the Armed Forces and a tenth has had their Gold Award Revalidated. Gold is the highest award available under the MOD’s Employer Recognition Scheme. Find out more
Eight Defence ERS Gold winning organisations were hosted by the NE RFCA Chairman and the Engagement Team in London over the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. Find out more
