West Mercian Wing is powered entirely by volunteers. From running parade nights to managing our charitable funds, everything we do for young people relies on people giving their time.
Volunteer Instructor
Around 12 hours a month
Volunteer Instructors work directly with cadets, helping deliver activities such as aviation, leadership, adventure training and community events. You don’t need military experience – just enthusiasm for supporting young people.
- Around one evening a week (plus occasional activities)
- Work directly with young people aged 12–19
- Full training provided
- Uniformed and civilian roles available
- Based at your local squadron
- Minimum age of 20 years
Next steps
Trustee
Around 12 hours a year
Trustees don’t work directly with cadets. Instead, they support squadrons behind the scenes by managing finances, governance and fundraising – helping make sure each squadron has the equipment and opportunities they need.
- A few meetings per year
- No youth work involved
- Role includes finance, governance, fundraising and general support
- Ideal if you can’t commit weekly but still want to help locally
- Skills from business or community life are especially valuable
- Minimum age of 20 years
Next steps
What if I can’t commit regularly?
If you can’t commit to volunteering or becoming a trustee, you can still support local Air Cadets in other ways – from donating equipment to offering professional expertise.
What you don’t need
- You don’t need military experience
- You don’t need to be a parent or carer
- You don’t need specialist qualifications
- Training and support are provided
Why people join
- Give young people opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have
- Be part of your local community
- Learn new skills
- Make a real difference close to home
Ready to take the next step?
News
- Trustees Invest £11,400 to Support Cadet Training Across the West Midlands
West Mercian Wing Trustees have allocated £11,400 of charitable funding to support cadet training and activities across the area for the 2026/27 training year. The funding, overseen by the Wing’s volunteer trustee board, will support a range of activities delivered by volunteer instructors, helping to enhance opportunities for cadets beyond core provision. Earlier this year,… Read more: Trustees Invest £11,400 to Support Cadet Training Across the West Midlands - Halesowen Air Cadets Strengthen Community Links at Annual General Meeting
223 (Halesowen) Squadron has celebrated another successful year of supporting young people, while strengthening its ties within the local community. The squadron recently held its Annual General Meeting, bringing together volunteers, trustees, and representatives from a range of local organisations to reflect on the past year’s achievements and look ahead to the future. The meeting… Read more: Halesowen Air Cadets Strengthen Community Links at Annual General Meeting - Market Drayton Air Cadet Raises £5,300 in 100km Challenge
Local Air Cadet completes 100km challenge to support his squadron and future young people - Trustees’ Week 2025: Celebrating the People Behind the Cadet Experience
Trustees’ Week 2025 provided an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the incredible contribution of trustees across West Mercian Wing. Across our 27 squadrons, around 180 trustees give their time, skills, and experience to support the RAF Air Cadets. Their work often takes place behind the scenes – attending meetings, making decisions, managing finances, and ensuring… Read more: Trustees’ Week 2025: Celebrating the People Behind the Cadet Experience - Wing CFAV Training Conference
As part of the Wings Staff Training it holds an annual training conference, and 2022 was the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that staff from across the Wing had a chance to do so face to face. Held over the last weekend of January, CFAV (Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers) from across the… Read more: Wing CFAV Training Conference