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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.

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 currently at High Wycombe

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

The Little Green Gift Shop

Run by Josie Larkman and Caroline Dixon 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 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!"

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).