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Sea Cadets is calling for people to come on board this February as part of a national recruitment campaign, #NeverOrdinary, and see how being a cadet or volunteer can make a difference to their lives.

#NeverOrdinary runs throughout the month, and aims to show young people how Sea Cadets can help them become resilient, confident youngsters through 400 community units across the UK. At Sea Cadets, young people aged between 10 and 17 can enjoy land-based and water-based adventure such as sailing, rowing, kayaking, first-aid training, rock-climbing and drill, as well as earn nationally recognised qualifications, sail offshore, and travel abroad on an international exchange programme. 

Volunteers, meanwhile, can earn qualifications while helping young people to develop and flourish. There are lots of roles to match different professions, such as helping manage finances and budgets, fundraising for the unit, organising events and building corporate relationships with local businesses. Alternatively, you could show cadets how to sail, powerboat, kayak, windsurf, play football or learn first aid. All volunteers will receive an induction and will be given training and support.

It comes as Sea Cadets publishes the results of a survey, which shows:

- 94% of parents feel their child’s self-confidence, motivation and team-work had “greatly improved” at Sea Cadets.

- 53% of cadets feel being part of Sea Cadets will help with their long-term happiness and wellbeing.

- 67% of cadets said they cope better in new situations – such as going for a job interview – as a result of being in Sea Cadets.

- 48% of cadets believe the youth charity will help reduce risk or antisocial behaviour.

Captain Phil Russell RN, Captain Sea Cadets, said: “Life can be really challenging for young people today; the world moves so fast, and that can be really difficult. At Sea Cadets, everyone has a chance to take part; there are no financial barriers to getting involved to learn great new skills, and develop new ways of dealing with life’s challenges. With us, it’s easier to do better at school, stand out when it comes to getting on a course and finding a job. Join us, and Sea Cadets will help you to thrive.”

To join Sea Cadets today, visit: https://www.sea-cadets.org/units

A very big welcome to our new First Sea Lord cadets, who came together yesterday (Thursday) for their first official appointment.

The six teens, who represent each of Sea Cadets' geographical areas, met in Portsmouth in an event hosted by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones KCB ADC. They were awarded certificates and badges on board HMS Victory, the flag ship of the First Sea Lord, and later enjoyed a harbour tour of Portsmouth, seeing HMS Queen Elizabeth and other vessels.

First Sea Lord cadets play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Corps. It's a chance to have their voices heard, and to inspire others to follow in their footsteps. This year's ones are:

- Eastern Area: Cadet Sergeant Harry

- London Area: Cadet Sergeant Harry

- Northern Area: Corporal Jonny 

- North West Area: Leading Cadet Logan 

- Southern Area: Petty Officer Cadet Adam 

- South West Area: Leading Cadet Alexander 

Sea Cadets is holding a Twitter takeover today (Thursday 25 January) to mark Young Carers Awareness Day.

Able Cadet Kate, 16, will be tweeting throughout the day on the @SeaCadetsUK account. Kate, who attends Salford Sea Cadets, is a young carer for her dad, who had a stroke about four years ago.

Kate says: "My dad really supported me when I joined Sea Cadets, and he was in the process of joining as a volunteer when he had a massive stroke. He lost his speech, and some of his mobility. Since then, Sea Cadets has helped me with being a place where I can get away from looking after my dad and being at school, because that’s hard now my dad’s ill. It also helps as I have my first aid qualifications for caring for my dad at home.

“My brother and I help by speaking on my dad’s behalf at appointments at hospital, or we will go round to help him with his work. He does everything himself, but for the things he can’t do, he relies on me and my brother. He can’t walk the dog, so we do that, or we may do the cleaning or cooking sometimes. He is in a lot of pain, so we look after that.

“It is hard, but you make time for things. I’m not at my dad’s every single day, but I make sure I’m there if he needs me. He understands if I’m not there all the time. Sea Cadets has also been understanding.

“One of the things I enjoy doing is engineering. My dad is in engineering, and I’ve grown up learning about it and going into his work. For that reason, Sea Cadets is a bit of a dad figure to me, because what my dad gave me before he became ill, Sea Cadets now gives me. Going on adventures or learning about engineering are opportunities my dad would have given me, and Sea Cadets now does that. I would like to be a Weapon Engineer Officer in the Royal Navy when I am older.

“The volunteers at my unit have been extremely supportive. They are like my second family. They help get you to where you want to be in the right way and the most effective way. Whenever I have been upset about my dad, or worried about something, they have always been there.

“Some of my best friends are cadets. One of my best friends in the whole world is someone I know through Sea Cadets. You meet people all the time – new people and people you have met before – and you become friends. They really support you – it’s almost like they are your siblings. Everyone shows respect for each other and pushes each other to do their best.”

The aim of Young Carers Awareness Day is to identify and raise awareness of the 700,000 young carers across the UK. To find out more, visit: https://carers.org/young-carers-awareness-day-2018

Congratulations to Colour Sergeant (SCC) Mark Jones, who has been awarded a British Citizen Award for his services to the community. 

Mark, of Littleport, Ely, recently started volunteering at Cambridge Unit, where he has helped to find new instructors, train them, and launch a new Royal Marines Cadets detachment.

The British Citizen Awards (BCAs) were launched in January 2015, to recognise exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact on society. They are awarded twice annually, and recognise everyday people whose achievements may otherwise be overlooked.

Mark, 46, who also has other volunteering roles in Cambridgeshire, says: "I was really surprised when I was told about the award. I don’t like watching TV very much, so I just fill my time with other things. When I was young I went to martial arts and people gave their time to run the club.

"I just think that if people don’t give their time, a lot of those sort of things wouldn’t exist. I have a young family and want my children to be able to take part in activities, which is why I’m happy to give my time to the organisations that I’m involved with.”

Mark is one of 36 medallists who will be honoured at a  ceremony on Thursday 25 January at the Palace of Westminster. The awards are sponsored by Specsavers, Places for People, Irwin Mitchel, Nathan Rous PR and Cisco. Each will be presenting the awards, alongside TV star host Bradley Walsh.