Every year, Armed Forces Week provides an opportunity to recognise the service, sacrifice and ongoing contribution of the Armed Forces community.
It gives people the chance to acknowledge serving personnel, reservists, veterans, cadets, cadet force adult volunteers and military families, while strengthening the connection between military and civilian communities.
For many people, Armed Forces Week is about more than recognition. It is also about identity. Military service can shape a person in lasting ways, and the values developed through service – discipline, loyalty, integrity, resilience, humour, teamwork and a strong sense of purpose – often remain long after a military career has ended. These values can also shape the families and loved ones who stand alongside those who serve.
For Change Step, this week holds particular meaning. As a veteran-led service, many of us know from personal experience that military life does not simply end when someone leaves the Forces. The transition into civilian life can bring opportunity and pride, but it can also bring challenge, uncertainty and a sense of disconnection. That shared understanding sits at the heart of everything we do.
Change Step is built on veterans supporting veterans. Through peer support, we help build trust, reduce isolation and support people in taking practical steps forward. People may face challenges with mental health, housing, employment, finances, substance use, family relationships, welfare, involvement with the criminal justice system or adjusting to civilian life. Speaking with someone who understands the culture, language and realities of military service can make a real difference. It can help someone feel that they do not have to explain everything from the start.
Our role is not only to provide support but also to help members of the Armed Forces community feel seen, heard and valued. We work alongside partner organisations, statutory services and local communities to improve understanding, challenge stigma and help people access the right support at the right time. In doing so, we also seek to highlight the skills, resilience, dedication and potential that veterans and the wider Armed Forces community continue to bring to society.
Armed Forces Week is therefore more than a moment of recognition. For us, it is a reminder of why our work matters. It is a chance to celebrate the entire Armed Forces community, recognise those who may be struggling quietly, acknowledge the sacrifices made by military families and reaffirm our commitment to standing alongside veterans and their loved ones as they move forward in civilian life.
Kevin Bogdan & Rob Townsend
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