We See You – Understanding Armed Forces, Veteran and Blue-Light Communities

About this event

Save the Date - Civic Networking Event – We See You

We See You is a University of Portsmouth initiative that recognises and supports those serving in the Armed Forces, their families, veterans, and blue-light professionals. It reflects our civic mission and our commitment to those whose service strengthens the fabric of national life.

This Civic Networking Event invites educators, learners, civic partners, and community organisations to explore how we can create learning pathways that truly support service-connected communities to thrive from early years through to higher education and adult learning.

When educational pathways remain open later in life, service leavers and their families can continue to learn, grow, and contribute to the communities they serve.

What to expect

• Presentation by David Mather, Academic Lead for We See You, introducing the strategy and sharing insights from the Teacher Insight Session
• Reflections from lived experience, exploring what it means to grow up or transition within a service-connected family
• Table conversations and networking, exploring how education at every stage from schools to colleges, universities, and adult learning can work together to strengthen belonging and opportunity

Who should attend

Veterans, service leavers and families, you are warmly invited to join us.
Your lived experience is central to this conversation.

This event is also for:

• Educators, school and college leaders
• Teachers and pastoral staff
• Adult learning and skills providers
• Local employers and training organisations
• Veterans’ support groups and charities
• Community organisations and civic partners
• Policy, civic, and higher education colleagues
• Anyone supporting Armed Forces, veteran or blue-light families in Portsmouth

Why it matters

Portsmouth is proud of its service heritage. As the city’s largest educational institution, the University of Portsmouth has a unique role to play in connecting learning, wellbeing, and opportunity for all who serve and those who grow up in their care.

Together, we can create a model of civic partnership that helps service-connected learners of every age find their place, build new skills, and thrive in education and beyond.

Facilitators:

• David Mather, We See You Academic Lead (Univeristy of Portsmouth)
• Sue Knight, Community Engagement Officer (University of Portsmouth)