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Marking the Month of the Military Child

April marks the Month of the Military Child – a time to reflect on and celebrate the unique experiences of children and young people who grow up in Armed Forces and veteran families.

Led by the Armed Forces Families and Safeguarding (AFFS) team within the Ministry of Defence, this month is supported by charities, schools, and MOD departments across the UK. Activities range from art and poetry competitions to special events at schools and military bases.

One of the key highlights is ‘Purple Up! Day’, held on the last Friday in April. It’s a chance for everyone to wear something purple to show support for military-connected children. This year, it falls on 25 April, when I’ll be attending a Children’s Rights roundtable hosted by Forces Children Scotland.

Many organisations are taking part in this month’s celebrations.

• Forces Children’s Education has developed a resource guide to help educators and families engage with children and young people in the classroom, at home, and in the wider community.
• Never Such Innocence is running a poetry and art competition on the theme of Memories, with resources available to inspire creative expression.
• Little Troopers, a charity supporting children of Serving parents, has a wealth of ideas and materials to help families get involved.
• Major charities such as the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and the three Single Service Families Federations are also sharing resources and guidance throughout the month.

Children and young people in Armed Forces families often demonstrate remarkable resilience, confidence, and adaptability. Their lives may be shaped by unique experiences – opportunities that set them apart. But alongside these positives, they can also face significant disruption, especially during the transition from military to civilian life.

Moving away from home, school, and friends can be difficult. Navigating a new environment where few understand military life can leave young people feeling isolated and excluded from important decisions. And for those who have experienced bereavement, the need for timely, compassionate support becomes even more critical.

Yet despite these challenges, the voices and needs of forces-connected children are still too often overlooked.

While developing my 2024 report on Community and Relationships, I was privileged to work closely with Forces Children Scotland, a charity dedicated to supporting young people from Armed Forces families and ensuring their voices are heard.

This year, the charity is marking the Month of the Military Child by celebrating strengths – highlighting the positivity, courage, and adaptability these young people display every day.

These strengths are central to Forces Children Scotland’s mission. They work alongside young people to shape tailored support, raise awareness, and influence real change.

Some of their standout projects include:

• The Lighthouse Project, run in partnership with Queen Victoria School, which provides a wellbeing hub offering one-to-one sessions, peer support groups, mentorship, and co-created learning tools for the whole school community.
• Ruby Boots, a project designed by young people themselves, supporting pupils in Edinburgh and Fife as they transition from military to civilian life. It connects them with peers who’ve already been through the experience, helping to build a sense of belonging and understanding.
• The Forces Children’s Rights Charter, developed with extensive input from children and young people. The Charter outlines the rights they value most – including being heard, feeling safe, equal access to education, healthcare, hobbies, and tailored support during key moments such as deployments, relocations, and leaving the military.

Through these initiatives, Forces Children Scotland continues to identify emerging challenges, build evidence, and advocate for policy change – work that aligns with the recommendations to the Scottish Government in my Community and Relationships report. These include calls for greater recognition of underrepresented groups – including children and young people – in policy and practice relating to the wider veteran community.

As we mark the Month of the Military Child, let’s not only acknowledge the challenges these young people face – but also celebrate their strength, recognise their contributions, and commit to listening to their voices all year round.