Month of the Military Child (MotMC) is coming once again this April and many organisations across the UK are gearing up to help celebrate the children and young people of serving and previously serving personnel.
Organisations in Scotland use the month to demonstrate the value it places on its service children. We’ve been finding out more about the work that is happening in this part of the UK.
Carolyn MacLeod MBE, the National Education and Transitions Officer for the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES), outlines why the month is important and why time needs to be taken to recognise service children.
“Being a child or young person from an armed forces family can be lonely at times. From regular relocations making it hard to keep in touch with close friends, to the absence of parents or carers during deployment, they face many challenges.
“There are also many wonderful and unique aspects of being an armed forces child or young person that need to be celebrated! This is why it’s so important to have the Month of the Military Child – four weeks dedicated to highlighting the incredible strength and resilience these children have.”
She added: “There are thousands of children and young people from our armed forces community across Scotland. The events and initiatives held during the Month of the Military Child connect communities and ensure forces families – wherever they are based and whatever issues they may face – feel included, supported and valued.”
For more information, see forceschildrenseducation.org.uk
CELEBRATING A DECADE
Never Such Innocence (NSI) celebrated its 10th anniversary last year and it was delighted to have military children from across Scotland participate in an event held at Edinburgh Castle. Former army child David read his poem Father’s Son, students from schools in Helensburgh read a joint poem and students from Lossiemouth sang Welcome Home.
PURPLE UP DAY
On 25 April (30 April in Wales) communities across the UK are asked to wear purple to show their support for the children and young people who are the unsung heroes supporting our service personnel. Anyone can take part, wear purple and share your photos with the team at A&Y and we’ll do our best to feature as many as possible on our socials. Send your photos to editor@aff.org.uk
Go to aff.org.uk to learn more about MotMC. You’ll also find lots of links that you can share with your child’s school or setting so they can celebrate them as well.
If you have any questions, contact educationsupport@aff.org.uk
Main photo: 2024 MotMC winners Olivia, Baylee, Zoe, Oliver and Brigadier Christopher Palmer OBE