'Community Engagement' involves Army units working closely with organisations and individuals in their local areas in order to reinforce their status as part of the wider community.

During the last 40 years the roles and responsibilities of the Army have changed drastically in response to new threats to UK security which in turn led to changes in its public profile. Historically, many people either had served in the Army or were related to someone who had or was still serving and more than likely there was a barracks in the local town or city. 

This level of knowledge and understanding is becoming much less common, particularly among the younger generation.

As the Army reduced in size and the perceived threat increased, some bases closed, increased security concerns saw fences erected around others and soldiers were forbidden from wearing uniform in public.  As a result public knowledge and awareness of the Army reduced to a level where it was almost invisible.

From 1990 onwards the increasing tempo of overseas operations, the main focus of the Army, meant that less attention was paid to our links to local communities.  However, soldiers and their families remain a crucial part of their local community and we recognise that we need to re-energize our links with our community, both locally and nationally.

Headquarters 2nd Division is the regional Army headquarters for Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England. We see Community Engagement as one of our key tasks; to develop our interaction with local government and the devolved administrations, local communities, businesses, cadets, schools and other local services. 

As an example, there are over 13,000 personnel, military, civilian and their dependants, living and working in the Catterick area.  They make a huge contribution to the local community in terms of economic activity, including Council Tax or its equivalent, and their own personal interaction in local organisations. 

What do we wish to achieve from greater engagement with our local communities?

• Improve the Soldier's lot, equally for single or married Servicemen and women and their families.
• Enhance employer support for Reserve Soldiers and their families.
• Improve the Army's reputation.
• Integrate with the local community, including schools, dentists and GP practices.
• Support recruiting for Regular and Reserve Soldiers.
• Support UK Operations, the assistance to national infrastructure for disaster relief or national epidemics.
• Enhance security of the home land against terrorist or extremist threats.
• Support training.

We acknowledge and are grateful for the wide range of support that we already receive from many agencies and organisations.  We in turn wish to enhance our engagement, where possible, with our local communities. 

There are already strong links in place for much of what we hope to achieve.  However, its diverse nature could mean some areas might be overlooked.  In order to avoid this, all Community Engagement activities within the Divisional area are coordinated, by our subordinate Brigades, through the Plans Branch in this Headquarters. 

If you have an interest in or a query about the development of Community Engagement, your first point of contact is the Regional Brigade in whose Area of Responsibility you are located.