On 29 April 2026, students from across Essex took part in an inspiring Creative Forces Day at Anglia Ruskin University’s Chelmsford campus. Make Happen, in collaboration with ARU, brought together 92 students for a day of interactive activities, university insight, and reflection, with a focus on celebrating Service Children.
Students from Paxman Academy, Thomas Lord Audley School, and Philip Morant School explored their identities and the unique strengths developed through their backgrounds, while considering how these can support their future education and career pathways. The event included a range of engaging sessions, from a hands-on Nursing taster in ARU’s specialist skills labs to an interactive workshop exploring life as a Service Child.
Led by Lecturer Practitioner Samuel Dhavaraj and supported by student ambassadors, the Nursing session introduced students to core skills such as basic life support and vital sign monitoring, giving them a real insight into what it might be like to study Nursing at university.
In another session, PhD candidate Siobhan Cambridge encouraged students to reflect on their experiences as part of an armed forces family. Drawing on her own background as a former Service Child, she created a supportive space for students to explore both the strengths and challenges they may face. Through creative activities, including designing personal shields (pictured below) and postcards, students reflected on their identities, achievements, and what makes them unique.#
After a campus tour with student ambassadors, the day concluded with a student panel and Q&A, where students got a chance to share their questions and concerns about future pathways. Events like Creative Forces Day provide valuable opportunities for young people from underrepresented backgrounds to build confidence, recognise their strengths, and see higher education as an exciting and achievable next step!
For more information on supporting Service Children in school, check out the brilliant Thriving Lives Toolkit created by the Service Children’s Progression Alliance.
By Kerry Preston, Outreach Officer at Make Happen