proudly changing lives within the Armed Forces community
No one is better at improving community life than the people who live, work and play within it.
we are a female led social enterprise founded by a defence spouse and an ex-soldier
Our goal is to create a network of community projects across the UK Armed Forces' estate, to combat the widespread issues of social isolation, social deprivation and mental health & wellbeing.
We do this by providing employment, education and volunteering opportunities, so together we can create sustainable community spaces, which bring people together.
why does the Armed Force community need our support?
We have experienced first hand the challenges that come along with Armed Force living, particularly for spouses and partners:
Inequality in access to education and employment.
Social Isolation due to frequently relocating.
Mental and physical wellbeing problems due to the nature of Armed Forces life.
“ Joining e50K meant I wasn’t just a mum for the day. I got to talk to different people and felt like I had value “
- Molly, Volunteer
all our work is wrapped around our 5 pillars of education, employment, engagement, enterprise & environment
Education: Establish & enable educational opportunities leading to employment and empowerment.
Employment & Volunteering: Providing multiple opportunities for employment and volunteering leading to long term prospects.
Engagement & Community Cohesion: Providing opportunities for the community to gather and interact together, with the aim of tackling social isolation.
Enterprise: Creating & advancing community led business opportunities & fostering entrepreneurial spirit, with the aim of becoming self sustainable.
Environment & sustainability: Improving the natural environment whilst supporting, nurturing & protecting the environment within which the Armed Forces reside.
working and volunteering with us
We understand it can be hard to find work as an Armed Forces spouse or partner due to the transient nature of the lifestyle.
But, we believe rewarding careers are possible, which is why we create flexible job and volunteer opportunities for the Armed Forces community all within the Armed Forces environment.
“ After leaving the military to care for my disabled son, I feared I was unemployable and struggled with my mental health.
e50k has provided me with a new pathway and lease of life. I feel confident and heard, independent and purposeful - I feel like the old me! “
- Amy Manuel (Bramble Woods, Catterick Site Manager)
meet the team
Chris
Rachael
Molly
Amy
Catherine
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As Move you in Pack™ (MYIP) Logistics Manager, Chris is responsible for accepting, storing, managing and auditing all the stock related to e50K and Amey’s project.
As well as being accountable for the storage and packing hanger Chris also organises and manages the delivery of the finished products to locations across the UK Defence estate in England and Northern Ireland
Having run her own office in a filling machine company bulk ordering, chasing deliveries and safely storing goods is something Chris has a lot of experience with.
“This role has given me the chance to meet new people where I live and boost my confidence in and outside work, including passing my motorbike CBT recently!” - Chris
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Molly works with volunteers and those from the local and Defence communities, to design, deliver and resource projects including our Move you in Pack™ and Bramble Woods.
Molly has a patient and inclusive mindset, bringing an ability to speak to individuals from all walks of life and culture, a lived experience of Armed Forces spousehood and a resolve to end social isolation for all.
“These projects have reduced my own sense of isolation, improved my self esteem and confidence and positively impacted my perspective on the needs of the community within which I live.” - Molly
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You will find Amy onsite most days tending to the allotments, meadows, ponds or woods, as well as engaging with those who volunteer or visit us and supporting onsite events.
Having served in the Royal Navy for eleven years, Amy now utilises her love of the outdoors, friendly nature and desire to be busy learning new skills daily to serve the Catterick community both for e50K and as a local parish councillor.
“With much of my focus taken up with being a parent carer and studying for a degree in Sociology, my role at e50K has provided me with additional confidence to succeed in all that I do – professionally and personally.” – Amy
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Utilising her experience of project and operations management, Catherine supports the Communities team to bring their projects to life in line with the vision, values and governance.
After a decade working in Arts and Heritage management in the UK and internationally, Catherine joined e50K in 2021.
As part of the Senior Leadership team, Catherine is proud to be part of making real and effective change for the UK Armed Forces community.
“As a Navy Spouse and mum of two toddlers, I have a deep understanding of the issues facing Armed Forces families and the barriers currently faced.” - Catherine
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With experience running multi million pound large scale, multi-faceted, projects internationally, as Director for e50K CIC, Rachael provides the overall accountability and strategic direction of the not-for-profit.
“Giving communities their own voice and collaborative input is key to successful projects. It’s exciting to be involved in projects where this lies at the heart of the project build.” - Rachael
community projects at Catterick
With the help of our generous sponsors, we have two community projects at the Catterick Garrison.
‘Bramble Woods’ is a 3.5 acre outdoor space and woodland which alongside the Catterick Armed Forces community, we are transforming into a thriving community area. We couldn’t do this without our sponsors or your support - thank you.
‘Move you In Packs’ are beautifully presented boxes delivered to every family moving into Amey managed Service Family Accommodation, to welcome them to their new community.
the Catterick projects embody our five pillars
“Volunteeing on the Move You In Packs has given me the confidence to be able to go out and make a difference to my community. I feel like I belong here now”
- Catterick Garrison volunteer
become a corporate partner
We work in collaboration with corporate partners, who share our vision of creating vibrant, sustainable and prosperous spaces for Armed Forces families and local communities.
If you feel the same, we’d love to partner with you.