This award is for someone who is part of the military family, has over 5k followers on a platform and has been instrumental in spreading the word and supporting the Armed Forces community through social media.
The finalists are:
* Marama Alliance UK
* Kayla Jackson
* Danielle Sandy
* Jodie Spacagna
Marama Alliance UK
Marama Alliance UK is a group of Fijian women in the UK who support military spouses and families. Through social media, they create awareness of military events, charities and support services to help integrate these families into UK life. They host Facebook lives and share information from Army charities to provide information and resources for military families.
Social media lead at the Marama Alliance, Kiara Valentine says:
“This is such an amazing opportunity for us as a minority group. We are Fijian women in the UK and the military is a huge part of our lives and community. We work to support our community within the Armed Forces and being a finalist showcases the fruit of the work that we do. Our families have come to the UK to serve in the Armed Forces and we will continue to support the military and their families in all aspects of our work.”
Kayla Jackson
Kayla is a full-time working mum, an NHS nurse and an Instagram influencer. She uses her platform to document her life as a military wife and mother of two, offering insight into the unique challenges faced by Armed Forces families. Kayla also supports the Royal British Legion by raising awareness and encouraging donations through her social media platform.
Kayla says:
“I am over the moon to have been nominated as a finalist for the Social Media Influencer of the Year! Creating content via Instagram has been a whirlwind of a ride, but having the pleasure of working with some amazing charities both military and non-military means I can use my platform to spread the word of these great organisations.”
Danielle Sandy
Danielle Sandy, who previously served in the Royal Navy, actively supports the Armed Forces community on social media. As a Military Talent Acquisition Manager for Barclays, she advocates for hiring military talent globally. She is passionate about raising awareness of the immense transferable skills military families have to offer.
Danielle adds:
“I am absolutely delighted to be a finalist at the CFF2023 Awards. I am fortunate enough to work for an outstanding organisation that really does understand what the wider military family can offer business. I am very passionate about raising awareness of the immense transferable skills military families have to offer. I will always use social media to ensure we continue to educate others on this amazing talent pipeline and highlight why it makes good business sense.”
Jodie Spacagna
Jodie is an Instagram influencer who shares a range of content from daily life to fashion, work, and military experiences. Her posts focus on the highs and lows of being a military spouse, showcasing how to make the most out of family time and coping with the separation that comes with military life. Jodie works for the NHS as an admin assistant is a strong support for her husband, who she’s been married to for 16 years. Jodie continues to offer much support to other military families, offering insights and advice through social media.
Jodie says:
“Amazing!! It’s hard being a military family, which is why I use my social media to share the high and lows of our lives. It’s incredible to know that others really relate and enjoy my page that much to nominate me. We’re a tough bunch!”
Social Media Influencer sponsors are Amey and Operations Director for Defence Housing said:
“At Amey we are focused on delivering a service that reflects the dedication and commitment given by military personnel while keeping our country safe. Part of this is ensuring military communities and families are looked after, and that they have the right support in place to flourish. Sponsoring the Celebrating Forces Families Awards gives us an opportunity to recognise and thank those who go above and beyond to ensure military communities continue to thrive. We can’t wait to hear the fantastic stories of individual and collective triumph on the night.”
The Awards evening Friday 28th April 2023 will see a formal dinner and awards ceremony held at the Victory Services Club, London. The Awards are supported by the Ministry of Defence through its Partner Employment Working Group.
Actor and SSAFA Ambassador, Antony Cotton is returning as guest presenter at the Awards. This year he is joined by TV presenter and former Strictly star, Kym Marsh.
Watch on livestream The BFBS Live Events Team will be livestreaming the Awards. If you aren’t able to be at the Awards, you can still join virtually for free! Simply register online and then make sure you have the date in your diary to plan your evening however you wish to celebrate with everyone.
Follow the CFF Team as the 2023 events unfold: * Twitter: @CFFAwards * Facebook: @CelebratingForcesFamilies * Insta: @celebratingforcesfamilies Or browse the website: www.celebratingforcesfamilies.co.uk