why Armed Forces communities?

This community suffers from inequality, when compared to civilian life. We aim to empower the co-creation of sustainable, community-designed projects, that enhance the lived experience.

Armed Forces inequality can be found in

  • Education and employment social isolation due to frequently relocating. 

  • Lack of autonomy or agency with decisions frequent being made on their behalf. 

  • Mental and physical health and wellbeing problems due to the nature of Armed Forces life. 

  • Lack of access to the outdoors due to the militarised nature of Armed Forces living.

Other realities of Armed Forces family life include:

  • sole carer

    Often the sole adult in the home, responsible for the family unit; losing emotional co-parental support with minimal notice.

  • mobility

    High levels of mobility, with little or no input in location, leading to a feeling of being out of control of their own lives.

  • underinvestment in estate

    Aged estate with minimal ‘fit for purpose’ place based projects.

  • employability

    Reduced employment opportunities hindering career progression, resulting in career gaps, failing confidence & economic vulnerability.

  • social isolation

    Familial and friendship isolation due to frequent relocation.

The transient nature often means that training, employment and career development are difficult. Barriers are compounded by spouses and partners carrying the weight of the domestic burden.

Part of our vision is to recruit, first and foremost from this talent pool, providing bespoke roles for all.

the research backs us up

Academic research by e50k Founder, Dr Newman-Earl, and others - combined with multiple commissioned community surveys - highlighted ‘significant flaws’ in service provision to Armed Forces families. 

As a result recommendations have been made from the government to support the improvement of the ‘Lived Experience’ of this community. 

e50K's projects provide opportunities for the Armed Forces community to overcome these flaws and thrive. Supporting the government's promise to ‘ensure that all Armed Forces personnel and their families are treated equally’.

supporting the Armed Forces community to thrive

We understand that those with lived experience of the Armed Forces community have a unique skill set which is still hugely under-valued and overlooked by the average employer. 

Those skills of adaptability, flexibility, humility and creativity are welcomed and utilised in both areas of the company. 

Over the last two years, e50K has developed from an on-paper business case, to a collective of individuals in a variety of roles, working to achieve real impact for the Armed Forces community.

‘Being given the opportunity to join the workforce of e50K is an absolute honour. 

After leaving the military to care for my disabled son, I feared I was unemployable and struggled with my mental health. 

e50k has provided me with a new pathway and lease of life. I feel confident and heard, independent and purposeful- I feel like the old me!’ 

- Amy Manuel (Bramble Woods Site Manager)

‘e50K provided me with a lifeline after multiple relocations and giving up my first career. I was able to work with a group of like minded individuals who wanted to make a difference within and for this community. 

I have found the confidence in myself again where I thought I had lost my purpose, self-belief and drive’

- Dr Elizabeth Newman-Earl (Founder & CEO)