Families Programme, Forces Employment Charity

For over 140 years, the Forces Employment Charity (FEC) has helped the military community succeed beyond service – building careers, shaping futures, and living with purpose. They support Service leavers, veterans, reservists, and families with tailored career guidance, training, and job opportunities. Through NOVA, their justice service, they provide dedicated, trauma-informed support to veterans in contact with the justice system.

In 2025, they helped more than 23,000 individuals achieve meaningful employment and long-term stability, supporting members of the Armed Forces community not just into work, but towards sustainable and fulfilling careers.

One example is Anna Krajewski, a military spouse in Scotland who engaged with their Families Programme. Her story shows how personalised, compassionate support can make a real difference. 

When Anna first came to Forces Employment Charity, she was juggling a lot. Her husband’s Army career meant frequent moves, which made it tough to find stable work or maintain a support network. On top of that, Anna lives with autism, ADHD, depression, and a chronic knee problem, all of which limit her job options.

After several years out of work, Anna’s confidence was low. She worried about her skills and whether anyone would want to hire her. “I hadn’t worked for years and had bad experiences in the past. I was unsure if I was even employable.” She also found CV writing, explaining employment gaps, and changing careers into administration especially tough.

Anna started working with Susanne, one of the FEC Employment Advisors. Together, they made a simple plan with small, manageable steps. “She helped me break everything down into manageable tasks and understand what employers were really looking for”, Anna says. Susanne gave practical support with job applications and interviews and explained how to handle recruitment processes.

What mattered just as much was Susanne’s kindness and encouragement. “She communicated clearly and warmly, and I really felt she cared about me as a person, not just a client. It made a huge difference to my confidence”, Anna says. The regular check-ins helped Anna rebuild her self-belief. Training, including a Microsoft Office course, helped build her skills and unlock her aspirations for a future career. She also joined workshops and networking sessions, which made her feel less alone and more ready for work. 

With Susanne’s support, Anna landed a Business Support Administrator job at The City of Edinburgh Council on her very first interview. She says the help she got from the Forces Employment Charity completely changed her confidence and outlook. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without Susanne. I feel much more independent and hopeful about the future. But I also know I can come back for support whenever I need it, especially with the moves that come with military life.”

Thanks to the support of the Forces Employment Charity, Anna is now looking forward to career progression and continued support from the charity, helping her build a stable career that fits around military life.