FiMT has commissioned Manchester Business School (MBS) to research and build a picture of the support networks & assistance available to the serving and ex-serving members of the Armed Forces Community

Following a competitive tender process, the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) has commissioned Manchester Business School (MBS) to research and build a detailed picture of the information, advice and guidance networks available to the serving and ex-serving members of the Armed Forces Community.

Recent reports, such as Forces in Mind Trust’s Transition Mapping Study, suggest those trying to access support find the landscape confusing and difficult to navigate.  There may also be some overlap and duplication in this rapidly developing sector.

The study will first identify, in-depth, the support networks that already exist.  It will also examine the problems and barriers surrounding current provision and the potential impact that they might have on the successful transition from military to civilian life.  The study will finally postulate an ideal state solution that would best serve the user community.

Chief Executive of the Forces in Mind Trust, Ray Lock, said: “This project will give FiMT the tools it needs to provide the Military Charity sector with the evidence-base to improve the processes delivering information, advice and guidance.

“There is a large number of extremely worthwhile charities and organisations offering all types of assistance, but we know it can be hard to navigate and some of the most vulnerable people within this cohort find they have too many places to start.  The aim of this research is to make the support-finding process as easy and effective as possible.  Manchester Business School come to this with an outstanding reputation, a strong understanding of military transition, and, just as significantly, a completely independent approach.  These qualities are essential if we are to take a credible report and then encourage the sector to act upon its recommendations”

Chief External Officer of Manchester Business School, Dil Sidhu, commented:  “Manchester Business School is delighted to work with the Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) on what we see to be a vital matter to those leaving the military. The altruistic work of FiMT, on behalf of exiting and retired military personnel, has attracted governmental interest and discussion across parliament. We are committed to making a difference to the social and economic well-being of communities, with considerable emphasis on military transition. The information, advice and guidance project will enable a better understanding of the current nature of support provided to those undergoing transition from the military, and to ensure that it better meets the needs of users.

This research is starting mid-January and findings will be available mid-year.

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Manchester Business School was founded in 1965 as one of the UK’s first business schools and is one of Europe’s largest campus-based business and management schools.

Ranked 43rd in the world (Financial Times, 2014) its international footprint includes six global centres in the UAE, China, US, Hong Kong, Singapore and Brazil.

MBS is also the UK’s leading centre for business research – according to the government’s most recent Research Assessment Exercise 2008.

Its programmes include:

• Full-time MBA, Global part-time MBA and Global Executive MBA
• Tailored executive business education for clients such as Tesco, BP and JCB
• Doctoral (PhD) programme (ranked 3rd in the world, Financial Times, 2014)
• Specialist Masters and undergraduate