Video file
The only free social media training programme for military spouses and partners
What's it all about?
Image
We understand that it can be difficult finding reliable work or build up professional skills, in between regular moves and deployments – and let’s not even start on the topic of finding childcare!
Becoming a social media professional can help. Not only are social media skills very much in demand, the role is often one that allows you to work from anywhere...
All of our coaches work from home!
Interested?
Image
Hit the button then! It's the only thing standing between you and a space on #SMSpouses*
The awkward small print:
Not to sound (too) braggy, but we’re seriously good at what we do - award-winning good – so demand for the course is high. Ok yes, obviously the course being free helps too, but we’ll gloss over that bit, eh?!
Anyway, all this means is that you might have a bit of a wait until you get allocated your place. Don’t let that put you off though, because we do have multiple study periods throughout the year. We want you on the course as much as you want to be on it!
Insider tip: We process applications in the order we receive them, and the spaces are allocated according to how much effort has been put into writing the personal statement. Why are we telling you this? So you can nail that part, obvs! This isn't about past experience or your skills, it's all about you.
* and time...
An online community
Image
The support doesn’t stop once you complete the course. This is no “leave the money on the side, love” type of deal... we’re with you for life. LIFE!
When you become part of Social Media Spouses, you get the (metaphorical) key to our exclusive online community. Now don’t be thinking that we’re talking about your bog-standard Facebook group here.
Okay sure, you want advice and support on careers in social media, content, platform updates, campaigns, branding. It’s all there, don’t worry. But that type of good stuff is in a lot of other places too. What you won't find anywhere else... is us. Our Community. This is our spouses’ sanctuary, our social media safe space (emphasis on the social)!
We’re all friendly, we support each other, we lift each other, we’re the very opposite of *eye roll* ‘dependent’. We’re proud of what our spouses and partners do for a living, but we aren’t defined by it. We’ve got no interest in talking about it. We’re individuals, and we’re fiercely proud of ourselves and each other. We’re a force to be reckoned with.
You need that in your life, right? We’ve got you.
Head on over to our Facebook group to stay up to date with the latest news from #SMSpouses.
The Course
The social media training is an 11-week course which is completed from home. We use a combination of online learning tools, social media and mentoring to provide first-class course content.
Image
Social Media
Social networks are constantly evolving. You’ll learn how each platform’s algorithms work, along with effective strategies to make your content stand out in the noisy world of social.
Image
Campaign Planning
Running campaigns may seem like a daunting prospect, but it needn’t be! We’ll teach you how to plan, implement and evaluate social media campaigns like a seasoned pro.
Image
Community Management
You’ll learn how to grow and engage your audience, how to moderate comments and discussions, and how to deal with difficult situations.
Image
Videos
Video is increasingly favoured by platforms. You’ll learn how to create professional social media videos that can compete with the thousands of others out there, just by using your smartphone.
Image
Photography
Using your phone to take photos may seem like a no-brainer, right? Wrong. Learn how to take truly show-stopping images for use in your social media efforts with our top hacks.
Image
Ads
Ever seen those sponsored posts in your newsfeed? Wondered how you were targeted? Learn how to use paid-for advertising on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram—this is the future of any social media business.
Image
Analytics
Being effective on social media means constantly monitoring your content and looking for ways to improve. We’ll show you how to use each of the major platforms’ built-in analytics tools.
Image
Interested?
Hit the button then! It's the only thing standing between you and a space on #SMSpouses
Our Team
Image
Jackie Lerm
Head of Social Media
Jackie is from South Africa and came to the less-sunny UK in 2006 with nothing more than a suitcase and £120 in her pocket. Since then, she has done a number of different jobs. It wasn’t until she was offered the position as Head of Social Media for BFBS that Jackie realised she found her calling. As well as coaching colleagues on what good looks like on social media, she runs the social media training programme for military spouses with BFBS Academy.
Email: [email protected]
Image
Adam Powney
Senior Social Media Manager
Adam is an Army Air Corps Reservist who formerly spoke in between songs for a living with BFBS. He spent the last two years producing content across Salisbury Plain and the Falklands. As a Media Culture and Production Grad you’ll find him taking photos, making videos and helping others develop their skills.
Email: [email protected]
Image
Laura Trythall
Social Media Manager
Laura's adventure began while she was creating posters and flyers for a local charity, and then progressed to social media videos and postings. She established a modest graphic design business two years later, helping clients to get the most out of their branding. She then went on to complete a course and land a job as a Social Media Manager at BFBS. She is always keen to support people and is continuously learning new things herself.
Email: [email protected]
Image
Elliot Darby
Social Media Manager
Elliot has been working at BFBS for nearly 3 years. He started out as a presenter/producer and has been based in both Cyprus and Germany. Last year, he moved to the Social Media team at BFBS and has loved being involved in training spouses on how to boost their Social Media profiles. A whistle-stop tour of Elliot's favourite things: Liverpool FC, Pina Colada's, Lamb Roasts and currently the band Cassia (subject to change, probably by next week).
Email: [email protected]
The Newsletter
Frequently asked questions
We know that military spouses find it extremely hard to find reliable work, or to build up their professional skills. They are required to move when their serving partner is posted to different locations, must potentially look after children by themselves, and often live in locations where they’re unable to utilise the opportunities that civilians have access to.
There has been an increase in support for military spouses to start their own businesses. However—despite the fact that spouses are avid users of social media—no other course offers detailed training on the use of social media to grow your business, or as a sought-after skill for employers.
BFBS was formed in 1982 from the merger of the Services Kinema Corporation (SKC) and the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS). The organisation was founded on a single aim: to serve those who serve.
We have provided entertainment to our military personnel around the world since the 1980s, through BFBS Radio, BFBS Cinemas, BFBS Live Events, the Forces TV Channel and BFBS TV.
In 2017 we launched the Forces Media Academy (FMA), now BFBS Academy. The Academy offers service leavers, veterans and reservists with the training and qualifications to pursue a career in media. From 2019, the BFBS Academy incorporated Social Media Spouses.
No, we understand that military families are all unique. You will have to provide evidence that you’re in a long-term relationship with a serving member of HM Forces.
Unfortunately not. Families of those currently serving face unique challenges to those who have settled into civilian life. We are only funded to run this course for the families of currently serving personnel.
No, not yet. But we are working hard to get it accredited in the future.
Nope—all you need is a laptop, a smartphone and a speedy internet connection.
All learning will be completed online through our learning platform, Canvas, and our online community on Facebook.
We know it’s hard to squeeze in extra work on top of careers, childcare and deployments. That’s why we believe 5 hours a week for 12 weeks is a reasonable time to complete the course.
Of course! Military families are based all over the world. You may have one or two late finishes or early starts to join in on group video calls.
Unfortunately not. But we will champion our students to organisations and businesses and share any opportunities which pop up within the online community.
Image
How we're funded
Thanks to the generous support from The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, this course is free to all military spouses and partners.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.