The Ulysses Trust is proud to work in partnership with Team Forces a registered charity which raises funds for sport, challenge and adventure in the armed forces community in order to improve health, wellbeing and recovery.
The UK’s Cadet Forces are highly regarded youth organisations involving over 130,000 young people in the UK. Since 1992 the Ulysses Trust has provided over £3.5 million, to help over 40,000 young people from all backgrounds to participate in over 2,980 expeditions around the world.
Maj Gen Lamont Kirkland CBE, CEO of Team Forces stated, ‘I am delighted to open a partnership with the Ulysses Trust. Their mission to provide life changing adventures for disadvantaged young people will extend the range of opportunities for our sponsors and donors to contribute positive social value in our society. I am sure that together, we can increase the number of young people who will benefit from this wonderful programme.’
The Chairman of the Ulysses Trust, AVM Nick Kurth, said, ’The Trust is delighted to be working with Team Forces, as we have so much common ground. I see great opportunity for both organisations that will undoubtedly benefit a range of young people – particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds’.
Team Forces is keen to support the Ulysses Trust’s commitment to help address the limits that social exclusion and deprivation place on the lives of young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Of the overall secondary school population, more than 12% is in receipt of Free School Meals; in 2019 over 21% of Cadets participating in Ulysses Trust supported expeditions – almost double the national average – received Free School Meals.
The COVID pandemic severely disrupted Cadet activity throughout the UK and the effects are still being felt. This has limited the unique opportunities for personal growth for young people afforded by their involvement with the Cadets, and their development as future leaders and contributors to their communities and their country.
The Ulysses Trust, and Team Forces are now on a joint mission to generate more financial support for Cadet units to help revitalise the available opportunities for young people to attend challenging and exciting expeditions. Our partnership with Team Forces has created a lot of interest with potential corporate supporters and the Trust has secured new donations from Microsoft, Sopra Steria and Ultra.
Needless to say, we are tremendously grateful for the ongoing and significant contribution Team Forces and the corporate sponsors have made to The Ulysses Trust.
Thank you.
To find out more about Team Forces and how it supports the armed forces, visit teamarmy.org