FOUR people in the York area with links to the armed forces are to be ‘fast tracked’ as Citizens Advice advisers thanks to funding from the Armed Forces Covenant.

They will be trained by staff at Citizens Advice York – and will aim to give a ‘bespoke’ advice service to armed forces personnel and veterans in York, and to their families.

“We were told by the Armed Forces community that they would prefer to see advisors with ‘lived experience’ of being Forces personnel and family,” said Citizens Advice York chief officer Fiona McCulloch.

“This project provides this, as well as a bespoke service once training is complete for York serving Armed Forces personnel, service leavers and the families of both.”

The four people who are trained up will either be armed forces veterans themselves – or will be family members of those still serving in the armed forces.

The aim is to create both a ‘bespoke’ advice service in York for forces families – and also to give a ‘portable’ career opportunity for advisors whose loved ones are still serving in the forces, so that they can keep working while following family members from posting to posting.

“This provides a valuable resource for the Citizens Advice Service nationally,” said Fiona.

The hope is that the York initiative could be replicated in other Citizens Advice branches around the country.

Pauline King, the regional employer engagement director for the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RCFA) said: “I am delighted the AFC Fund Trust have recognised this unique project to be of value to the Armed Forces community.

“Fiona and her team have developed this offering to meet the needs of the local AF community, whilst training defence personnel to deliver services as well as gain valuable portable skills.

“Citizens Advice York signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2020 and are now worthy recipients of the 2024 Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award.”