National Cadets Week runs 5–11 October 2026. Cadet units across the UK will open their doors with free activities; the government has published toolkits and a daily timetable to help schools, employers, teachers and communities participate.
The Ministry of Defence provides a community toolkit and separate employers’ toolkit with practical steps for participation, including a model 5-day paid volunteering leave pledge for employers.
Each day of the week has a specific theme — for example launch of the Cadets Action Plan on 5 October and nationwide first aid training on 8 October — so groups can plan targeted activity and promotion.
# Week 2026 covers
Activities listed for open days include first aid demonstrations, STEM challenges, climbing walls, and fieldcraft demonstrations. The Ministry of Defence published a community toolkit and an employers' toolkit to help different groups plan involvement.
# Who the guidance addresses
Employers get practical suggestions such as publicly pledging a five-day paid volunteering leave commitment for employees who volunteer as Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, updating job adverts and websites to show support, and using social media to promote the pledge.
# The week's daily timetable
The government published a day-by-day timetable with different focuses to help planning and promotion:
Contact local units for specific event times and locations.
# How to get involved — practical steps
Community visitors: contact your local cadet unit to find open day details. Expect demonstrations and hands-on activities suitable for families and school groups.
Employers: access the employers' toolkit for suggested actions: pledge five days of paid volunteering leave for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, publicise the pledge on social channels using #NationalCadetsWeek and tag @MinistryOfDefence, and update recruitment materials to highlight support for volunteering.
Teachers: use the timetable to schedule pupil presentations or trips on the day that matches your curriculum or school priorities.
Sharing stories: personal stories and photographs can be posted to social media with the hashtag #NationalCadetsWeek to raise awareness and show local activity.
# Where to find resources and details
Week 2026 links to two downloadable toolkits (community and employers) and sets out the week's timetable and suggested activity themes. For event specifics, the guidance instructs readers to contact their local cadet unit.
# Bottom line
National Cadets Week 2026 is a coordinated, government-supported week of free local events and national activity aimed at promoting cadet units, engaging communities, and encouraging employer support for adult volunteers. Use the toolkits and the day-by-day timetable to plan visits, pitches, or employer commitments, and amplify participation using #NationalCadetsWeek on social media.
Domestic and international events the Ministry of Defence will be at during 2026 and 2027, and guidance on how we can support businesses to participate.
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