CHILMARK-BASED disaster response charity will be playing a part in this year's Commonwealth Games.

RE:ACT will provide 500 trained "games responders" for the event this summer following the humanitarian organisation’s appointment as an Official Military Veteran Provider.

The RE:ACT Games Responders will be drawn from its member community, which consists predominantly of military veterans and emergency services personnel.

They will bring their skills in public engagement to support the security workforce at four venues, helping to make Birmingham 2022.

'We’re thrilled to play our part'

Birmingham 2022 will take place across the West Midlands from July 28 to August 8.

RE:ACT chief executive Toby Wicks said: “This is a super opportunity for RE:ACT to demonstrate the capability of our outstanding community at a high-profile event.

"We’re used to operating under pressure in harsh environments, so this is well within our expertise and comes at an exciting time as we’re learning and growing as an organisation.

"We’re always looking to welcome new team members into our organisation, and we’d encourage people to sign-up through our website.

“This is a serious task and it’s great that our teams will be able to show their strengths in a different context. We’re thrilled to play our part in helping make Birmingham 2022 a great success and I know our Games Responders are excited to be involved.”

The Games is expected to welcome more than one million spectators and attract a global audience of more than 1.5 billion.

'Innovative and groundbreaking'

Nick Knight, Birmingham 2022 director of security said: “Being a veteran myself, and understanding the hardships our military personnel endure upon leaving the military, any opportunity to showcase veterans’ skills, mindset and discipline is an opportunity we cannot miss. This partnership with RE:ACT is innovative and groundbreaking as it has never been considered in previous Commonwealth Games.

“Birmingham 2022 have signed up to the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and have achieved the Bronze award so this initiative demonstrates our commitment to those who have loyally served our country and now seek future opportunities.

“RE:ACT members will receive training and recognised qualifications, enabling them to deploy during the Games to recognised Security Industry standards. The qualifications, and more importantly the operational experience of deploying during the Games, gives them as individuals and as a team, huge legacy employment opportunities, enabling them to make that transition from military to civilian life with greater ease.

“I am excited to welcome RE:ACT on board and cannot wait for them to get involved in the delivery of the games and truly showcasing their talents in what will be a safe and successful Games.”

More about RE:ACT

RE:ACT is a humanitarian response organisation, operating in the UK and overseas.

It has  been assisting the NHS to help relieve pressure on critical services.

During the height of the pandemic, RE:ACT maintained its rapid  response for 449 consecutive days, supporting frontline organisations and vulnerable communities.

Volunteers from the charty provided support at the Covid vaccination clinic at City Hall in Salisbury. 

To find out more visit:re-act.org.uk

 

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