A Powerful Beginning for The Armed Forces Community Awards @ Soldiering On 2026

There are moments when a place, a purpose and a community come together in a way that feels truly special. The official launch of The Armed Forces Community Awards @ Soldiering On 2026, hosted at the magnificent Royal Hospital Chelsea, was one of those moments.

Set within one of Britain’s most historic military institutions, the evening brought together an inspiring cross-section of our Armed Forces family. Sponsors, corporate partners, judges, past nominees, nominators and winners gathered not simply to mark the start of another awards year, but to reconnect with the values that unite us all: service, resilience, compassion and community.

We were immensely proud to welcome everyone to such a meaningful setting. Royal Hospital Chelsea stands as a symbol of service and legacy, making it a fitting backdrop as we embark on another year of recognising extraordinary achievement across the Armed Forces community.

Throughout the afternoon, the room was alive with conversation and shared experience. Stories flowed of veterans forging new careers, families overcoming challenges together, charities transforming lives, and organisations driving innovation in health, inclusion and community support. These are the stories that sit at the very heart of our awards, stories that remind us why this platform matters.

One of the most powerful aspects of the launch was the opportunity for attendees to meet our independent panel of judges. Their presence reaffirmed our commitment to fairness, integrity and excellence across a wide and diverse range of award categories that truly reflect the breadth of the Armed Forces community.

The support of PPL as our nominations partner plays a vital role in enabling us to shine a light on the people and organisations making a real difference. As John Mason, CEO of PPL, shared with us, these awards celebrate the remarkable determination, resilience and ambition shown every day by individuals and teams across our community.

Now, the search truly begins. Nominations are officially open, and we invite you to help us uncover the stories that deserve to be celebrated. If you know someone whose leadership, determination or service inspires others, please take the time to nominate them.

Together, through shared stories of courage, innovation and compassion, we will continue to honour the enduring strength and contribution of the Armed Forces community.

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