RMA – The Royal Marines Charity recently facilitated training for our Royal Marines Support Network Officers (RMSNO), who volunteer their time to provide practical and emotional support to the Royal Marines Veteran Community and their families.
Hosted at the state-of-the-art Gordon Messenger Centre, the newly written workshop was co-delivered by Moor Mindful, who specialise in providing coaching and expert training to enhance understanding of mental health and wellbeing, alongside staff from the RMA.
Over the past year, we have been working with Moor Mindful to create and develop a training package for our RMSNO’s, building upon the training created by Cameron March MBE during his time at the Royal Marines Association.
Royal Marine Support Network Officers (RMSNO) are trained volunteers able to provide both practical help and emotional support to the RM veteran community in a variety of ways; from a vitally important regular friendly chat at home or on the telephone to ease social isolation and build a sense of camaraderie and belonging, to practical help with lifts to hospital and medical appointments, help with form filling to name but a few.
What a fantastic weekend of high quality training we had delivered. George Patterson, the training lead used all her knowledge and skills as a trainer, her experience as a former member of the Royal Navy and her own experience as a Royal Marine spouse to bring together a superb package. This was ably supported by some of the health and wellbeing team who were able to add real flavour and colour to it all.
My personal thanks goes out especially to the volunteers who were so engaged in this training and willing to give up their weekend to attend.’
Danny Egan, Director of Health & Wellbeing at RMA – The Royal Marines Charity
The support the RMSNO’s provide to the Corps family is immense. Having like-minded volunteers with their eyes and ears on the ground is invaluable. It allows us to work with other charities to ensure the best possible support is afforded to the Royal Marines Family.
Combined with the informal support offered by branches of the Royal Marines Association, RMNSO’s enable the Charity to reach every corner of the Corps family.
The next training course will be hosted in 2022. If you would like to learn more about becoming a Royal Marines Support Network officer, applications or expressions of interest can be found: Royal Marine Support Network – RMA – The Royal Marines Charity (rma-trmc.org)