I was delighted to attend the recent Armed Forces recruitment and engagement event held at Crewe Market Hall – a fantastic venue that brought together members of our local community, service organisations, and businesses all committed to supporting the Armed Forces community. I was joined by the newly elected Mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor David Edwardes who officially opened the event.
The event brought together a variety of organisations supporting the Armed Forces community and was organised in partnership by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Cheshire East Council, aiming to connect veterans, young people, employers, and support services.
The event welcomed 181 Year 10 and 11 pupils, as well as college students and their teachers, who came along to explore the range of opportunities available within the Armed Forces and related sectors. It was brilliant to see so many young people taking an interest in future careers and learning more about the support available to those who serve.
In total, 22 Armed Forces support organisations were on hand to offer advice and information – covering everything from wellbeing and family support to transition services and veterans’ welfare. Their presence made it clear just how much support is out there for both serving personnel and veterans.
We also saw strong representation from the business community, with 42 employers in attendance who have received Armed Forces Covenant awards – demonstrating their commitment to being forces-friendly employers. Many of these businesses were actively recruiting on the day, highlighting the real and immediate job opportunities available locally.
A further highlight was seeing 16 local veterans receive one-to-one support from organisations such as Walking With The Wounded (WWTW), SSAFA, and the Cheshire East Council Armed Forces Lead Officer. These personal sessions provided tailored guidance on employment, housing, health, and more – a vital part of ensuring no one is left behind.
This event was a brilliant example of community collaboration and a reminder of the strength and resilience of our Armed Forces community. Thank you to everyone who helped make it such a meaningful and impactful day.
If you weren’t able to attend – or even if you did and would like further details – I’ve compiled a list of many of the organisations I spoke with on the day. These include support services, Armed Forces recruitment teams, and local businesses offering employment opportunities in the Crewe and Nantwich area, and beyond. I did try to speak to as many as possible on the day but didn’t quite manage to get round everyone before the event ended – so if you’d like to be added to the list please do let me know.
Support Services exhibitors
British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) – Providing the Armed Forces Community (AFC) with a great opportunity to meet and network with employers and receive complete career support.
SSAFA, The Armed Forces Charity – A trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans and their families, with a vision of a society in which the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive.
RBL, Royal British Legion – The UK’s largest Armed Forces charity, providing lifelong support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families through welfare services, advocacy, and remembrance initiatives
Crewe Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club – A welcoming, veteran-run community that fosters camaraderie and support among current and former service members through regular gatherings in the Crewe & Nantwich area
Cheshire East Council Veterans support – Working together in Cheshire East to support the Armed Forces Covenant community
NHS Armed Forces Community Network – Support if you are in the British armed forces or are a veteran, a reservist or a family member of someone who is serving or who has served.
Walking With The Wounded (WWTW) – UK charity that supports veterans and their families through personalised employment assistance, mental health services, and care coordination to help them regain independence and reintegrate into society.
75 Engineer Regiment – Army Reserve Unit with centres in Warrington, Birkenhead, Manchester, Sheffield, Aldershot and Nottingham.
National Careers Service – Providing careers information, advice and guidance
Breaking Barriers – A UK charity that supports refugees into meaningful employment through tailored advice, education, skills training, and partnerships with businesses offering job opportunities and mentorship
NHS Central Cheshire Talking Therapies – Providing a range of talking therapies, advice and information for people aged 16 and over, who have mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Cheshire East Financial Welfare Team – Support for residents to improve their financial health including Council Tax Support, Housing Benefit, Discretionary Housing Payments, Free School Meals and Blue Badges.
Recruitment exhibitors
The Royal Air Force – Roles in Engineering, Aircrew, Air & Space Operations, Legal, Cyberspace, Ground Combat & Security, Logistics, Intelligence, Music Services, People Operations, Chaplaincy, and Medical Services
Park Foster Care – Find out about making a difference to a child’s life through Fostering
iRecruitment Ltd – Recruitment in Engineering, Warehouse, Driving & Commercial.
NHS North West Ambulance Service – Roles for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT1 Apprentice), Integrated Call Handlers (ICC), PTS Controller/Planner, Clinical Advisors & Ambulance Care Assistants.
Reaseheath College – Roles for Catering Assistant, Head of Apprenticeships, Animal Management Instructor, Inclusion Support Specialist, Equine Events Coordinator, Lecturer in Agriculture, Trainer in Agricultural Engineering & more
Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust – Various roles and development opportunities around the North West from Nursing to administration, plumbers to support workers, HR advisors and therapists.
Care4CE – Community Support Worker – For details on current available roles email care4ce.recruitment@cheshireeast.gov.uk or call Andrea Weaver on 01625 374269
United Utilities – Various roles across the North West
Right At Home, Nantwich office – Careers in Care, various roles including home care assistants and live in care assistants
1st Enable Ltd – Careers in Care including Support workers, Peripatetic Support, Service Manager, Cafe workers, Joiner and many more
Homes for Support – Care roles in Crewe including Supported Accommodation Mentor, Team Leader in Childcare, Children’s Support Worker.
Empeiria Training – Providing courses in various sectors including social care, health and safety, first aid, manual handling, health and wellbeing, management and more
Q Hotels, Crewe Hotel & Spa – Roles available for Restaurant Team Members, Conference & Event members, food & beverage supervisors, restaurant and bar manager.
Home Instead – Roles for care professionals in Crewe and beyond
Ionic – Recruitment in permanent and contract roles within the construction, residential and maintenance sectors.
Polly Recruitment Services, Crewe – Various roles including Warehousing, Transport, Logistics ,Engineering ,Manufacturing, Driving
Synergyx Logistics – Logistics roles including Delivery Drivers and HGV Class 1 Drivers
Meel Group – Various roles in Mechanical, Electrical or Heating Engineer, Project Manager or Estimator positions
Cottons Hotel & Spa, Knutsford – Various roles including Sous Chef, Spa Therapist, Leisure Team Leader, Chef de Partie, Receptionist and Content Creator / Social Media & Marketing Coordinator.
Shared Lives Cheshire East – Roles available in Care for both carers who want to provide family placements in their home, full time or for respite. We also have carers who work in the community.
