We are the North West Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association.

We are the North West Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association.

We are the North West Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association.

We are the North West Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association.

Latest Bulletin

Discover NW RFCA

Want to know more about what NW RFCA does? Take a look at our welcome video below.

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    We are the North West Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association.

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    The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for the North West of England and the Isle of Man (NW RFCA) is the organisation which facilitates, supports and promotes the Reserve Forces of all three Armed Services and the three Cadet organisations in the region.

    NW RFCA supports Reservists of all three Services based in the North West of England and the Isle of Man. Alongside the regional Chains of Command and through the Association Membership, NW RFCA engages with local communities in the region to increase understanding of Reserve service and strengthen links with local units.

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    Reserves

    There are approximately 35,000 reservists in the UK. They come from all backgrounds, regions and jobs. These ordinary men and women are able to gain new skills and qualifications, as well as enjoy a great social life and plenty of opportunities for overseas travel and adventurous training.
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    Live Firing Notifications

    In accordance with Altcar Training Camp bye-laws and standing orders, the notification of live firing and dry training at Altcar Training Camp for the coming months are available here.
    June 2025
    July 2025

    Cadets

    Established in 1860, the UK cadet movement is one of the oldest and most successful voluntary youth organisations in the world and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2010.
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    Latest News

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    Liverpool & Bolton Reservists Reach the Summit of Mera Peak, Nepal
    June 10, 2025
    This spring, Army Reservists from Liverpool and Bolton Batteries joined a select team on an unforgettable high-altitude expedition to climb Mera Peak (6,476m) in the Nepalese Himalayas – one of the highest trekking peaks in the world. The team, part of Exercise NORTHERN NEPAL 25, spent over three weeks navigating dramatic terrain, building altitude resilience, and carrying out scientific research
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    Strategic Defence Review
    June 3, 2025
    The Strategic Defence Review (SDR), published yesterday link here, confirms a major shift in posture toward warfighting readiness and national resilience. Both are underpinned by a Whole Force model that places increased reliance on the Reserves and wider Defence support networks. Notably, the SDR states: “We will increase the total number of Regular personnel and Active Reserves when funding allows, as well as reinvigorate the
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    Altcar Training Camp gets a state of the art Gymnasium
    April 9, 2025
    The Problem The Altcar Training Camp Team recently noticed the gym in the camp was dated and not fit for visiting units to complete mandatory physical training tests.  The equipment was not up to the standard required to assist downgraded personnel to continue their rehabilitation programmes.  It was important that Altcar address these issues and provide a safe, modern an
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    25 NORTH WEST ORGANISATIONS ‘WIN GOLD’ FOR SUPPORTING THE ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY
    August 22, 2024
    193 UK organisations have been recognised by the UK Government with the highest badge of honour for supporting the Armed Forces community.  The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award recognises the positive role that employers play in supporting defence and inspiring others to do the same. This year organisations of all sizes, from all sectors and from across the UK
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    Runcorn Air Cadets reaching for the skies with a national award
    August 16, 2024
    306 (Runcorn) Squadron press release 306 (Runcorn) Sqn have been announced as The Marshall Trophy winners of 2024. The Marshall Trophy is awarded to the most improved squadron in the corps over 3 years. This takes extreme dedication hard work and sustainability to achieve. Post Covid the Squadron was struggling to recover with staffing and cadet levels dropping to a
    Read More
    Merseyside Armed Forces Employment Fair
    August 5, 2024
    The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for the North West of England and the Isle of Man and Liverpool City Council are delighted to announce they will host an Employment Fair for Service Leavers, Reservists, Cadets, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, Veterans and Service Families on Saturday 28 September 10 am to 2 pm, at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool. In attendance
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    New Hard Facilities Management arrangements for reserves and cadets come into force
    August 1, 2024
    New arrangements to provide Hard Facilities Management (HFM) to Ministry of Defence (MOD) sites used by reserves and cadets have come into effect today (1 August 2024). The MOD’s existing Built Estate contracts, which provide HFM services to Defence sites across the UK, were amended to add the additional sites into their scope. The Built Estate contracts were awarded to
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    The NW RFCA are thrilled to announce that Andy Reid MBE has joined the Association as our first Ambassador
    July 4, 2024
    In October 2009, Corporal Andy Reid MBE stepped on a Taliban improvised explosive device while on patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Injured so badly that it was thought he would not survive, he defied the odds to the extent that, within a month, he was able to meet up with members of his patrol again. Since then, as a triple
    Read More
    Five newly appointed Estate Managers for the NW RFCA
    July 3, 2024
    This week, we have seen the introduction of five newly appointed Estate Managers for the NW RFCA. These appointments are in support of the wider Defence Infrastructure Organisation Volunteer Estate FDIS programme. We welcomed three new members of staff to the association who have joined two recently promoted staff to form the team who will act as single point of
    Read More
    Reserves Day Flag Raising event at Altcar Training Camp
    June 26, 2024
    On Reserves Day, we invited supportive employers and staff from VIVO Defence Services from across our region to join for us a flag raising event at Altcar Training Camp in Merseyside. Cadets from Chesterfield High School, Crosby raised the flag to celebrate Armed Forces week and Reserves Day. Following the flag raising, participants were invited to a guided tour of
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      Reserve Forces

      Royal Navy Reserves
      Royal Marines
      Army Reserves
      Royal Air Force

      Cadets

      Combined Cadet Force
      Sea Cadets
      Army Cadets
      RAF Cadets