Month of the Military Child 2023

Month of the Military Child 2023

The definition of a Military or Service Child is a person whose parent, or primary carer, serves in the regular armed forces, or as a reservist, or has done at any point during the first 25 years of that person’s life.  There are currently 3,653 Service Children in 223 schools across North Yorkshire.  Military children face challenges related to high mobility, deployments of serving parents and the impact of these challenges on their emotional well-being.  Whilst Military Children are often incredibly resilient young people they also need and deserve the Local Authorities full support especially considering their commitment, as a council, to the Armed Forces Covenant.  North Yorkshire originally appointed two Service Pupil Champions in 2012 to provide support, raise awareness and create opportunities for Military children and their families.  Thankfully, NYCC are very proud to say that this role is continuing with Jess Greenhalgh and Angela Campbell working together as a team to ensure that Military children are fully supported during their school years, even if they may not be with us for their whole school journey. 

The Service Children’s Champions team deliver well-being groups in Primary and Secondary schools, host networking meetings for school leaders and Service Pupil leads and also organise large events such as Armed Forces Day for Children and the annual Service to Remember at Ripon Cathedral which is attended by over 600 children each year.  Jess and Angela have put together a photo challenge which has been shared with schools across North Yorkshire.  The theme is ‘Welcome to Our World’ and the aim of the challenge to shine a spotlight onto the unique nature of Military family life.  This will be the highlight of NYCC’s Month of the Military Child celebrations.  This is an annual event which originated in the USA but that we are hoping will also be recognised and supported in the UK.

More information on the MOTMC Photo Challenge can be found here, photos are needed by Friday 31st March.

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