About the ‘Living in Our Shoes’ Review

In 2020 ‘Living in Our Shoes’ highlighted the additional challenges faced by military families which can be seriously detrimental to modern family life and relationships, and the reasons why many Serving men and women choose to leave the Armed Forces early.

The report made 110 detailed recommendations for substantive change. In 2021, the Government accepted the vast majority of the recommendations in full or in part.  Since then the Armed Forces Families Strategy 2022-2032, along with policies and practices across the Armed Forces sector have done much to address the changes recommended.

 

About the “Living in Our Shoes Revisited” project

Full title: The Impact of “Living in Our Shoes” Five Years On: Evaluating Progress and Determining Priorities for Meeting the Needs of Armed Forces Families Going Forward

Since 2020, much has changed post the COVID-19 pandemic and the world is a much more dangerous place than it was five years ago, operational effectiveness is even more crucial, and concerns about recruitment and retention are increasing.

Between November 2024 and March 2027, this review will:

  • Review the findings of the ‘Living in Our Shoes’ report to reflect on the continuing relevance of its recommendations in the current economic, geo-political and Defence contexts
  • Evaluate the progress that has been made in implementing its many recommendations and highlight the areas where positive action has been taken
    Indicate ongoing and any new gaps in meeting the needs of Armed Forces  families and where progress needs to be accelerated
  • Provide regular outputs to influence decision-making in the short term as well as in the long term

In order to:

  • Assist policy-makers and all those working with Armed Forces personnel and their families to determine priorities and refreshed up-to-date policies and practices to meet the needs of Serving personnel such that they and their families feel valued and remain committed to serving the nation

How this review is different

The evidence of need indicates that an independent policy evaluation is both necessary, timely and urgent. In the current context it is even more important to:

  • revisit the conclusions reached in ‘Living in Our Shoes’
  • assess how effective government has been in co-ordinating and directing activity in response to the report and the recommendations for change, and the progress made in respect of the ambitions laid out in the Armed Forces Families Strategy 2020-2032 (AFFS).
  • determine the actions that should be taken to ensure that the needs of Armed Forces Families are not only met but are sustainable into the future such that they promote recruitment and retention.
  • revisit and reinvigorate the Armed Forces Families Strategy to ensure it is able to deliver on its promises.

This project will not simply repeat Living in Our Shoes. We know that progress has been made since 2020, especially in respect of the work undertaken within the AFFS work streams. But it is timely to reflect on the strengths and weakness of the overall approach and essential to consider the gaps and the areas which require immediate attention.  In addition, many of the military charities have promoted new initiatives to support families and evaluations have taken place.  These need to be considered in respect of the learning they offer for future direction.

Watch this website for regular updates, Briefings, and reports as well as invitations to give evidence. We welcome contributions and contact from members of the Armed Forces community and all those working with them to support their needs.

Invitation to participate in the project

This is a collaborative project. During the research, Serving personnel and their families will be invited to share their lived experience of life in the military. Key stakeholders, including MOD and other government departments, the devolved administrations, Local Authorities, the three single Services, the Families Federations, and all organisations supporting Armed Forces personnel and their families, will be invited to contribute in various ways.

Watch this website for regular updates, Briefings, and reports as well as invitations to give evidence. We welcome contributions and contact from members of the Armed Forces community and all those working with them to support their needs.

The Project Team

Professor Janet Walker OBE, FAcSS, FRSA, is the Project Director, steering the direction and execution of the project.  With over 30 years of interdisciplinary research leadership she was the lead adviser to LIOS and the lead author of the report.

Dr Gabriela Misca PhD, CPsychol, CSci, is the Principal Investigator and Research Director. A former Fulbright scholar, she was the research adviser to LIOS and a co-author of the report, and will have overall responsibility for the planning, design and management of the research.

Peter Davis OBE, is Policy Advisor to the project. He is the former Deputy Director Families Policy in MOD who had responsibility for the design and implementation of the Armed Forces Families Strategy.

Advisory Group

This will be established soon and its membership will be added here

How to contact the research team – by email to:

lios-r@outlook.com