Small Businesses Run by Forces Family Members
We are often asked if we will publicise enterprising ideas and businesses created by Service personnel and their immediate family members.
In this space we are happy to promote these items. We cannot endorse them and will leave you to decide whether to pursue them or not.
Finding a Job
Recruit for Spouses
A company established by Heledd Kendrick, a Service wife
"Frequent postings, deployments, childcare - the demands of service life all contribute to the struggle many spouses face in finding work. Recruit For Spouses is an online resource connecting capable spouses with employers". The site launches Nov 11.
Military CV Services
Joanne Murchie is a CV write and interview coach. Joanne says:
"As a military wife, I completely understand the challenges faced by those married to the military when it comes to finding employment (eg. constant moving, reduced chances of promotion, etc) and I am truly passionate about helping people like myself get their very best shot at the career ladder with a killer CV that addresses all these obstacles and turns them on their head".
Books
Poppy Day
by Amanda Prowse, a Service wife, foreword by Carol Vorderman
'Poppy and Martin are untied by an unshakable love that blossemed in the school playground. On Martin's first tour of Afhanistan Poppy's world is turned upside down when she receives the knock on the door that every Service family dreads. A story that moves from the streets of East London tothe plains of Afghanistan, the young couples' devotion is tested in ways they could not have imagined. Poppy and Martin learn the bitter lession that every decision carries a consequence and raises the question...'
My Daddy's Going Away - but that's okay
by Major Christopher MacGregor
"Daddies often have to go away from home and leave their family and children behind. Whether a soldier, sailor, airman - all Dads have to go away sometimes and temporary separation affects the whole family. Whatever he does, and no matter why Dad has to leave home, it is hard on all the family. If Dad's departure is understood, his absence is more likely to be accepted and this will reduce anxiety. The book and the website will hopefully help you and your children talk through the stressors of paternal separation and find ways to lessen the anxiety that is often felt across the family."
My Mummy is a Soldier
My Daddy is a Soldier
by Gerry Walters
"Brought up in an Army family, I married a soldier, as did my daughter. I accepted the deployments of first my father and then my husband. But when my granddaughter, Shay, started to ask questions about where her daddy was during his tour in Afghanistan, I started to ask myself if I could do anything to help young children deal with the separation that is an inevitable part of life within a military family."
Demons in the Dark
by Tom Atkins a current member of 8 Sqn at Waddington
"While the stories recounted in crew rooms today are many and varied, the stories I heard from the old boys who flew the heavy bombers really put us modern day flyers back in our box. I wanted a way to recount these stories so that they would not be forgotten.."
Going to Afghanistan
by Sue Morton
"I often used stories to explain things to my own children when they were young so write Going to Afghansitan for a friends family. Originally the story was just a paper copy printed on our computer but the family loved the book and asked if they could share it with other friends in the same situation. It was then that the Armed Forces' Christian Union offered to publish it. Price £1.50
Susie Gibbs Book Conservation
Run by Susie Gibbs a RAF wife
Book conservation is the treating of a book to improve its condition and function. An article by Susie appears in the Summer 11 issue of Envoy magazine. To read Susie's article Click here
Contact Susie at: susiegibbs21@yahoo.co.uk or on 01494 563457.
Gifts
Created and run by Nichola Cunliffe a RAF wife, lauched 17 May 13
"The Chuff Chuff Calendar is a personalised advent calendar, uniquely designed to count down the days until your partner returns from tour. All you need to do is select the photos, images and messages you would like to use, and then create your own count-down calendar on our easy-to-use website."
Totally Cherished
Created and run by Michelle Smithson a RAF wife at Valley
“As a military wife, I am well accustomed to the highs and lows of having a partner that works in the forces. One of my favourite highs has always been receiving flowers from my husband, but watching them wilt after a week was hard... and throwing them away even harder! So, I was inspired to create Totally Cherished, an online boutique selling handmade sterling silver jewellery that will last forever. Our chosen charity is H4H and we offer a discount of 20% for Service personnel and their family members. Michelle has now launched a Wedding Collection for Military Brides-to-be.”
The Little Green Gift Shop
Run by Josie Larkman and Caroline Dixon RAF wives currenly at Kinloss
"Wives and partners of military personnel have to be enterprising. You have to leave your home, friends and work at fairly short notice, sometimes every two or three years, depending on your husband's job. Then you have to start all over again. This is our way of coping with that..."
Signature Silver
A new jewellery business set up by sisters whose father and uncle serve in the RAF. The items are handcrafted from silver with the unique idea of using fingerprints to create a piece of treasure.
“By pledging £1 from every sale to Help for Heroes, we can do our bit. We also offer a 5% discount on all products to forces families."
The Ribbon Drawer
Run by Abigail MacNiven an RAF wife currently at Waddington
Abigail is a full-time mum with a passion for creating lovely things using ribbon, wood, buttons, fabric, lace, string, jute string, rafia, tissue paper and crochet. In her own words her business:
"Sells handcrafted stylish accessories for your home. A range of wooden treasures which will look fabulous nestled & hung in & around your house to make it more homely! The ever expanding collection of products comprise stars, hearts, a range of chickens & dogs. All wooden items are handcut, handpainted using Farrow and Ball paint, embellished with a selection of fabulous ribbons (of course!) & beautiful buttons. Items can be personalised to reflect a message to a loved one, a thank you note or a childs' name & date of birth or your own quirky message!"
Home Is...
Run by Annalisa Wilson who describes herself as a 'Forces wife looking to keep a record of all the homes she had lived in over the years'.
Home-Is offers a light-hearted but gorgeous way of remembering all your postings, little wooden wall plaques, beautifully hand-painted and made especially for you. Totally personalised to show: "Home is where the RAF sends us" or for other ideas go to Annalisa's website.
Parcels for those on Deployment
Forces Store
Run by Forces Families for Forces Families
"The site is owned, run, and supplied by wives and friends of the British Forces. Our friends and family are also deployed so we know how important contact with a loved one can be."
Help at Home
Au pair City
Run by Carolyn Clayton the wife of a serving SNCO
"When we ran into difficulties at home an au pair was suggested to us as a possible solution. It worked so well that we have constructed a database to help others with support at home. We found peace of mind knowing our children were happy and safe in their care. And it might just suit you too..." (Donations from this enterprise are also being given to Help for Heros).
Directory
Follow the Flag
Co-founded by Army wives Kate Inch Victoria O Bree
"Launched in Jul 11 it is an easy to navigate website for Forces Families to market their independent businesses".