It was an honour to welcome the Chief of the Air Staff to talk about the national impact of our employment services. Around 1 in 10 of those we support served in the RAF - our team helps veterans and family members take flight in civilian jobs and careers. www.poppyfactory.org/supportservi...

If you're a veteran and you'd like to build your confidence, learn new skills and become more job-ready, Poppy Pathways might be for you. Our free five-day course is a chance to gain hands-on work experience and benefit from our specialist support. More here: poppyfactory.org/poppy-pathwa...

Last call for our suhmer art competition! We've already had some stunning entries. The deadline is Monday... To be in with a chance to win, send a photo of your artwork to visit@poppyfactory.org

It was our privilege to welcome members of the Shots Foundation, the charitable arm of @theshots.bsky.social, to The Poppy Factory this week - including veterans who know first-hand how challenging civilian life can be, for the people we support on the path to employment.

It's hard to describe a typical day at The Poppy Factory. So we're very pleased that The Factory Next Door came to capture it live for their latest podcast - featuring our Director of Production and the Estate, Jeff Short, and a visiting Harley Davidson chapter! open.spotify.com/episode/3z6f...

#51. The Remembrance Wreath – Making the red poppies commemorating the fallen

The Factory Next Door · Episode

open.spotify.com

Supporting a partner with complex PTSD while losing her career as a midwife led Nikkie almost to breaking point – until she found a new support network. The Poppy Factory and @theripplepond helped Nikkie regain confidence in herself and her future. www.poppyfactory.org/nikkie/

We’re incredibly grateful to The Julia Rausing Trust for supporting our work with a significant new grant, a real vote of confidence in our ability to help veterans change their lives through employment. More here: www.poppyfactory.org/julia-rausin...

Two of south west London’s best-kept secrets are joining forces for a special celebration involving a vintage steam engine fuelled by poppy power. We're proud of this partnership, forged through the Visit Richmond network via @richmondcouncil.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z20l...

Preview: The Poppy Factory Centenary Railway Weekend

YouTube video by The Poppy Factory

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The Armed Forces community makes an invaluable contribution to our country and our communities, and we are proud to support veterans and their families into employment. #ArmedForcesWeek #ArmedForcesWeek2026 #Veterans #ForcesFamily #SupportingVeterans

After working together for more than 35 years in the service of Remembrance, our Special Wreath Makers, Peter Wills and Paul Hammerton, have each been awarded the BEM. We're extremely proud of Peter and Paul for achieving this great honour: www.poppyfactory.org/BEM/

BEM for Special Wreath Makers

Peter Wills and Paul Hammerton, who have worked together for 35 years, are cited in The King’s Birthday Honours List for services to Remembrance.

poppyfactory.org

Self-confidence is so important when seeking a new job or career. If you're a veteran in the East of England, join us this Friday morning for a confidence-building workshop by the team who support veterans on the path to employment. Register: bit.ly/4alVUfy

We're kicking off #ArmedForcesWeek with a free open day on Monday 22 June, 10am-4pm. Meet our team and join a short guided tour, with tea/coffee and cake on offer as we celebrate 100 years in Richmond. Show your support ahead of #ArmedForcesDay! www.poppyfactory.org/open-day-2026/

#VolunteersWeek is an opportunity for charities across the UK to celebrate the outstanding contributions of our volunteers, and a chance to recognise the value of volunteering as a way into a new job or career. poppyfactory.org/volunteers-week-2026

When Ian left the Army after 20 years, he found civilian life challenging. Support through our Navigator service helped him create an Armed Forces support group at Tranmere Rovers FC – enabling ex-Forces fans to make new connections and find the help they need. www.poppyfactory.org/ian-tranmere...

We're proud to unite with 6 other charities as part of the VALOUR programme, supporting veterans in the South West. Ex-forces personnel will soon be able to gain access to local services through ALABARÉ’s Riverside Sanctuary in Salisbury. More here: www.poppyfactory.org/valour-south-west

Combining specialist support for veterans in SW England

The Poppy Factory is proud to unite with six other charities as part of the Government’s VALOUR programme, supporting veterans in the South West.

poppyfactory.org

Fancy a hot choc and a piece of cake while discovering our 100+ year history? You'll stay warm by creating your own poppy to take home and having a go at Remembrance wreath making. Next visit is Wednesday 28 Jan at 12:30pm. Book now www.poppyfactory.org/discoverydays/

Helping 1,200 veterans and family members to make progress on the path to employment would not be possible without the generous support of our many partners. A heartfelt thank-you everyone who has supported the work of our national services this year - wishing you all a very happy festive season.

Boom boom! We were bowled over by @realbasilbrush.bsky.social popping in to The Poppy Factory today while starring in Cinderella at Richmond Theatre. Basil met Peter in our Production team, a lifelong fan... Huge thanks to Nick Grace Management for inviting Basil to our shared Richmond home!

Like many, Simon left the Army and found it hard to transition into civilian life, feeling very low and no sense of purpose. He was then diagnosed with #PTSD, and with the help of Andrew from our #employment team, he managed to gain confidence and start a new chapter. www.poppyfactory.org/simon/

We were honoured to welcome players from the #WestHamUnited U12s team. In tribute to those who served, the players designed a wreath using the Club’s iconic Claret and Blue colours and the Club crest. www.whufc.com/news/west-ha...

West Ham United U12s visit The Poppy Factory | West Ham United F.C.

Ahead of our Remembrance Day fixture with Burnley, four members of West Ham United’s U12s squad visited the historic Poppy Factory in Richmond as part of a special educational and community project de...

whufc.com

Yesterday our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, opened the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. The Field of Remembrance is now open to the public until Sunday 16 November. Anyone may visit & pick up a tribute to plant in person to commemorate those who have lost their lives in the Armed Forces.

Our dedicated team are once again busy preparing the Field of Remembrance at @westminsterabbey.bsky.social, open from Friday. We're proud that this year's Field features several new plots including those for @fightingwithpride.bsky.social and our partner charity @armybenevolentfund.bsky.social

After serving nearly 20 years in the Army, Jack Jackson struggled to find new motivation. Our Navigator support helped him to start volunteering at a boxing gym near home. Now Jack's giving back to the club through a tough 50lb walking challenge over 50 miles. www.poppyfactory.org/jack-jackson/

Jack’s tough hiking challenge to give back to boxing gym

After serving nearly 20 years in the Army, Jack struggled to find new motivation. Our Navigator service helped him to volunteer as a boxing coach.

poppyfactory.org

Have you ever wondered what The Poppy Factory does? Now is your chance to find out - for free! Come & discover our 100+ year history. As part of the #OpenHouseFestival2025 we're opening our doors on Tues 16 Sept from 10am to 4pm. No need to pre-book. Pop-in, we'd love to welcome you.

A bowls competition in memory of young soldier Craig Roberts, who died in 2013, raised £1,500 to help others in the Armed Forces community. Thank you very much to organiser Daniel Jones and Craig's parents, Margaret and Kelvin, for supporting our work. www.poppyfactory.org/craig-roberts-memorial

Sporting tribute to soldier Craig raises £1,500 for veterans and families - The Poppy Factory

A bowls competition in memory of a young soldier who died during special forces training raised £1,500 to support veterans and families.

poppyfactory.org

The programme for this year's Open House Festival is now live and we're proud to list The Poppy Factory for the first time. Join us for our open afternoon on Tuesday 16 September as we prepare to celebrate our centenary in Richmond. programme.openhouse.org.uk/listings/5278

A new @yougov.co.uk survey on perceptions of veteran support in the UK, commissioned by the Office for Veterans' Affairs, suggests that many in the Armed Forces community still have difficulty accessing services. www.poppyfactory.org/yougov-suppo...

Survey reveals need for greater veteran awareness

New YouGov research highlights issues with perceptions of support.

poppyfactory.org

Did you know jigsaws used to be made at The Poppy Factory, too? One of our jigsaw-makers, George Penfare, worked with our team in Richmond from 1939-50. We were delighted to welcome his granddaughter Janet to our visitor centre this week. Visit us this summer: www.poppyfactory.org/visit

Stronger connections can build stronger mental wellbeing in the Armed Forces community, in all sorts of ways. We're delighted that our new partnership with PTSD Resolution will lead to more choice and life-changing support reaching more veterans and families. www.poppyfactory.org/ptsd-resolution

Joining forces to improve mental wellbeing support

A new partnership between The Poppy Factory and PTSD Resolution aims to build mental wellbeing support for the Armed Forces community.

poppyfactory.org

Our Veteran & Family Services team have been out again today, strengthening connections with partners ahead of #ArmedForcesDay. Team members joined the flag-raising at Westminster City Hall and met officers from Hampshire Constabulary at an event supporting the region's Armed Forces community.