National Cadets Week Showcases Havering’s Young People
Councillor Alex Donald reflects on visits to Havering’s cadet groups and the opportunities they offer young people and adult volunteers following the UK’s first National Cadets Week.
Member Champion for the Armed Forces and Uniformed Services Councillor Alex Donald writes for the Havering Daily
As part of the UK’s first ever National Cadets Week (5–11 October 2026) where cadets showcase their activities, I have had the pleasure of visiting groups across Havering to find out what they offer and how adults can get involved to become instructors and positive role models.
Why join?
Having been a cadet myself in my school’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF), I know how much young people can benefit hugely from joining a local group: military (army cadets, sea cadets or air cadets) or non-military (police cadets, ambulance cadets or fire cadets).
Cadets have the opportunity to take part in activities such as adventurous training, first aid, fieldcraft, music and general fitness. They do this with peers their own age and form sometimes life-long friendships.
They have numerous opportunities to travel the UK and the world taking part in camps and expeditions while developing useful leadership skills, teamwork and resilience. There are also many paths to gaining qualifications such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, BTEC Diplomas and an ILM Certificate in team leading.
Meeting the cadets
On Monday, I visited 6F (Romford) Air Cadets where I was thrilled to sit in on a rehearsal for an upcoming music competition. I observed a class of drummers whose performance got better and better under the patient and encouraging direction of their young instructor. I observed the squadron’s drill on the parade square instilling discipline and camaraderie (it was much better than my drill!). Everyone was brought up to standard teaching teamwork as a unit.
On Tuesday, I was invited to observe 45 Detachment (Romford) Army Cadet Force. I was very interested to observe a weapons handling class using unloaded rifles. The skills I saw displayed by the young cadets were professional, safe and focussed. I then had the opportunity to observe a Q&A where the cadets learned from a prison officer the skills needed to assess and defuse dangerous situations. Finally, I was invited to observe their drill on the parade square (again, they could teach me a thing or two on how to march!).
On Wednesday, the Mayor of Havering Cllr Maggie Themistocli attended the Havering Metropolitan Volunteer Police Cadets in Emerson Park Academy. She observed them during inspection, drill, lessons and sport where she witnessed their confidence, discipline and teamwork develop. Read more about the Mayor’s visit.
Finally on Friday, I rounded off the week by joining the St John Ambulance (Romford) Cadets who kindly invited me to give a brief talk on leadership and teamwork. I was given excellent CPR refresher training by young cadet Yaprax Top. As with all the groups I visited, there was a mix of serious instruction and fun, and I had the pleasure of having my photo taken with the cadets AND their unicorn mascot!
What are you waiting for?
The Government has a target of increasing the military cadet force 30% by 2035. However, having met these talented young people along with the adult volunteers who invest so much of their time and energy, we can’t wait that long. The time to make a positive and lasting effect is now.
If you are a young person who wants to travel the world on adventurous training, make like-minded friends and learn tremendous life skills, sign up now.
If you are an adult who wants to inspire and shape the future of our young people with the pride of knowing that you made a difference, the cadets is for you.
Sign up today, you won’t regret it!
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