Swindon Borough Council members visited the Defence Academy in Shrivenham to explore opportunities for closer collaboration on education, skills, health, wellbeing and support for the Armed Forces community.
The visit was made by Cllr Leanne Stevenson, the council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Kate Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Children and Education, and Cllr Vinay Manro, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health.
Located six miles from Swindon, the Defence Academy is a nationally significant centre for defence education, training, research and leadership development.
Cllr Stevenson was initially invited to the Defence Academy after her appointment as the council’s Armed Forces Champion.
She said: “The Defence Academy is right on Swindon’s doorstep and already has strong links with our town through the many serving personnel, veterans, staff and families who live here.
“This visit demonstrated the breadth of expertise, innovation and support services based at the Defence Academy and highlighted how many of our priorities align.
"We discussed opportunities spanning education, skills, health, wellbeing, sustainability and support for the Armed Forces community.
“There is real potential for us to strengthen our partnership and create benefits not only for serving personnel, veterans and military families, but for residents and communities across Swindon.”
What began as conversations around support for the Armed Forces community quickly identified wider opportunities for partnership working across a range of shared priorities.
During the visit, councillors met senior leaders from across the Academy and its partner organisations to learn more about its work in defence education, research, STEM development, leadership training, welfare support, sustainability, innovation and community engagement.
Discussions explored a range of areas where the council and Defence Academy share common interests, including support for serving personnel, veterans and military families, education and skills development, health and wellbeing and strengthening links with local communities.
The visit also highlighted the Academy’s significant contribution to the local economy and community.
Many people who work and study at the Academy live in Swindon and travel to Shrivenham each day, creating strong connections between the two organisations through employment, education, health and wellbeing, community cohesion and economic prosperity.
The day concluded with discussions about future opportunities to strengthen relationships between the Defence Academy and the council, including potential collaboration on STEM programmes, cadet engagement, outreach activities and wider community initiatives.
Cllr Vinay Manro, the council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: “From an Adults and Health perspective, I was encouraged by the Academy’s focus on wellbeing and early support.
“By working together, we can improve outcomes for serving personnel, veterans, families and the wider community.”
Cllr Kate Tomlinson, the council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: “Strong communities start with supporting children and families.
“There are real opportunities for educational partnerships, from young people considering a career in defence and our cadets, through to lifelong learning.”
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