Introducing the Soldiering On Academy
Between 2015 and 2020, 282 Wounded, Injured, and Sick (WIS) veterans, service leavers, and their families were supported through a unique enterprise programme called Business Xperience, pioneered by X-Forces Enterprise (XFE). Affectionally classed as the platinum programme due to input on the materials from Help for Heroes, the training provided some attendees with the foundations needed for ‘lift off’ on their aspirations. For others, it represented a vital lifeline at an extremely challenging time and built confidence, brick by brick, that enabled them to begin their journey to professional independence at a pace that worked for them. The profound efficacy of the course was felt both in career development terms and in the positive impact on well-being.
Delivery paused due to the pandemic and we have been working hard to revive and refresh the opportunity as part of the new Academy to ensure that no one is left behind.
The Academy launched at the Soldiering On Awards in October 2024 and we are honoured to have David Richmond CBE FRSA as our patron.
Wounded, Injured and Sick
The Soldiering On Academy course provides a dedicated space for veterans to explore and gain clarity on employment opportunities. Whether it’s self-employment, a portfolio career, further learning, or traditional employment, the course is underpinned by ‘business as a learning pathway’, to help individuals find their path.
This residential course is for Veterans who are living with mental or physical health challenges resulting from their military service. It is ideal for those Economically Inactive individuals who are not currently seeking employment or are unsure of their career direction. They could be seeking to understand today’s employment landscape or wishing to explore self-employment and working for themselves.,
The group environment is one of peer support, encouragement and positivity, providing the space to develop self-awareness and confidence in an a safe, open environment.
In brief, the course covers:
- Enterprise Skills: Understand the fundamentals of self-employment and business setup.
- Employment landscape: Explore different employment sectors and the network of support available.
- Clarity: Discover the right career option for you—self-employment, working for others, or further learning.
- Personal Growth: Build resilience, self-awareness, and confidence in a supportive environment.
- Ongoing Support: Access post-course mentoring and networking through X-Forces Enterprise’s charity and corporate partners.
Access to the course is via a referral process from our charity partners
Nigel Seaman founder of Combat 2 Coffee
Nigel was diagnosed with PTSD in 2016, which was linked to his Armed Forces service. It was during his recovery treatment that Nigel came up with his business idea to support Armed Forces veterans who may be struggling with life outside of service through a mobile coffee shop and barista training courses. “I’m one of the 282 Wounded Injured and Sick that went through the Business Xperience programme with Help For Heroes. Three life events in three months caused me to have a breakdown relating to something that happened in Northern Ireland early in my service career. If it wasn’t for this programme, I probably wouldn’t be here now. The belief that was put into me by X-Forces to take something forward has probably saved my life, but also saved many others as well.”
John Geden, beekeeper and founder of Sinah Common Honey
John served in the Corps of Royal Military Police before becoming Detective Chief Inspector for Hampshire Police. John took early retirement having been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. For therapy and focus, John channelled his energy into beekeeping and producing honey. “I needed a focus for my energies; I told myself that sitting in an armchair and feeling sorry for myself was not going to be an award-winning recipe for the future. However at the same time I had to be realistic and I needed to identify what I could do and what I couldn’t do. “The one key piece of support that I simply could not have done without was that given to me by XFE and Help For Heroes. Whenever I suffered a crisis of confidence there was someone with a sensible answer at the end of the phone. My military career taught me the benefits and necessity of team working, but as a sole trader you have to look wider to find that team.”
Cadets in Enterprise
Understanding how society works is an essential life-skill. Cadets in Enterprise explores the exciting world of business and equips Cadets with enterprise skills and confidence to pursue their career goals in the future.
On this action-packed weekend they will discover what it takes to be an entrepreneur or intrapreneur; how to start with an idea, understand your market and plan for success.
They will learn essential enterprise skills including money management, marketing and how to best present yourself and your ideas, in writing and in person.
Activities involve individual work, group discussions and team exercises and after a period of self-study each group will come back together to pitch their business idea in a friendly ‘Dragon’s Den’ style environment to a panel of business leaders.
The culmination of the programme is a graduation event at a prestigious location to showcase their learning to the business community, friends and family.
Spouses
The next stage of development for the Academy will see a programme tailored to family members who have the added responsibility of caring and are seeking to determine what employability options work alongside the family environment. Business as a learning pathway, enterprise skills and the employment landscape will form the basis of the programme, with additional learning opportunities on resilience and support networks. Mentoring and ongoing support for the following 12 months will also be included.
Fundraising
The launch of the Soldiering On Academy was made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of guests at the Soldiering On Awards on 16th October 2024. The auction raised the funds required to kick start the first programme and deliver to a group of veterans in Spring 2025.
The Soldiering On Awards auction will continue to raise funds for the Academy each year and there are many opportunities for individuals and organisations to become involved.
