The Milspo Network Recieves a Prime Ministers Points of Light Award

UK Points of Light

Points of Light are outstanding individual volunteers – people who are making a change in their community. Every week day the Prime Minister recognises an inspirational volunteer with the daily Points of Light award.

First established by President George H. W. Bush in 1990, over 7,000 US daily Points of Light have been recognised through the USA programme. UK Points of Light was developed in partnership with the US programme and launched in the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street in April 2014.

Since then, hundreds of people have been named Points of Light by the Prime Minister, highlighting an enormous array of innovative and inspirational volunteering across the length and breadth of Britain.

Doing everything from tackling knife crime to supporting families of dementia patients, our UK Points of Light are fundraising, awareness raising, problem-solving heroes who all had an idea they decided to make a reality. Their actions have changed lives and their stories can inspire thousands more to get involved or start their own initiatives.

Find out more about the UK Points of Light.

The article is taken from the UK Government Website.

Jess Sands, from London, set up ‘The Milspo Network’, an online community of over 1,300 military spouses, partners and other halves (Milspos) from across the UK to provide support, networking and help with setting up businesses alongside the requirements of military family life.

21/06/2023. London, United Kingdom. Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer and the Prime Ministers wife, Akshata Murty attend a reception in the Downing Street garden for charities supporting military families to mark Armed Forces reception. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

Jess was inspired from her own experiences of regularly moving house and lifestyles while her husband served with the RAF. Jess had been a graphic designer for a number of years, but was finding it difficult to get employment as military spouses were seen as transient by some employers and so Jess launched the network in 2019 off the back of a successful podcast series that reached over 14,500 listeners in 20 countries.

Alongside the online community, the Milspo Team delivers monthly online networking, goal-setting events, meet-ups to help with isolation, and a business directory.

Jess was presented with her award by Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer at a Downing Street reception to mark Armed Forces Day.

Jess said:

“It is truly a privilege to receive this Points of Light award and accept it on behalf of the incredible military spouses, partners, and other halves who comprise our Milspo community.

“To know that those at the heart of government recognise the challenges that modern military life brings and the importance that military families bring to the operational effectiveness of our UK Armed Forces.

“The unwavering dedication of military spouses, partners, and other halves is the foundation of our Armed Forces, often operating behind the scenes, providing steadfast support to our brave serving personnel. It’s been an absolute honour to shine a light on their inspirational stories and support their entrepreneurial dreams.”