A civic conversation on how Portsmouth can support Armed Forces, veteran and blue-light learners to feel seen, understood and able to thrive

Save the Date We See You: The Learning Journeys Behind Service Life

Military service is often understood through the lens of operations, deployments and transition. Less visible are the learning journeys that shape the people behind the uniform—and the families, educators, practitioners and communities whose lives are also influenced by service.

We See You: The Learning Journeys Behind Service Life brings together members of the Armed Forces community alongside senior military leaders, researchers, educators, practitioners and partner organisations to explore how learning, identity and belonging develop across the life course. Through lived experience, research and dialogue, the event aims to deepen understanding of service life while strengthening the connections between higher education, the Armed Forces and the organisations that work alongside them.

The morning begins with a keynote from Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell KCB CBE, reflecting on leadership, learning and the experiences that shape a lifetime of service.

Debbie Sutton, Pastoral Worker with Aggie Weston's, will explore the emotional cycle of deployment and the often-overlooked experiences of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary community.

Roger Morrad will offer fresh perspectives on learning, leadership and human development, challenging conventional assumptions about how people grow through experience.

Kate Mizon, veteran, writer and founder of the Left, Write writing group, will share reflections on storytelling, identity and lived experience.

Dr Liam Satchell, Director of the Impact Centre at the Service Children's Progression Alliance (SCiP Alliance), will share how research and evidence are improving outcomes for Armed Forces-connected children and young people.

The event concludes with facilitated small-group discussions, providing an opportunity to reflect on the ideas explored throughout the morning and consider how they might influence policy, practice and partnership working within participants' own organisations.

Whether you work in higher education, the Armed Forces, healthcare, the public sector, the voluntary sector, or are part of an Armed Forces-connected family, We See You offers an opportunity to learn from diverse perspectives, build meaningful connections and contribute to a growing conversation about recognising and supporting the learning journeys behind service life.

Who should attend?

This event welcomes anyone with an interest in the Armed Forces community, including:

Serving personnel, veterans and Armed Forces families

Blue Light professionals

University staff and students

Schools, colleges and educators

Healthcare, public service and voluntary sector professionals

Civic and community organisations

Anyone interested in learning more about service-connected communities

What to expect

A keynote address from Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell KCB CBE

Perspectives from military, welfare, education and research leaders

Insights drawn from lived experience and professional practice

Opportunities for reflection, discussion and networking

Refreshments and informal networking

Together, we hope to create a space where learning leads to greater understanding, stronger partnerships and better support for Armed Forces-connected communities.

Description supplied by the event organiser.