Volunteer spotlight: Communications Team

What does the Communications Team do? 

Part of the Fundraising & Communications directorate run by Daniel McAllister, the Communications Team is based at the National Support Centre in London and works to promote the efforts of our volunteers in any way we can – from organising awareness-raising radio interviews to supplying eye-catching branding for unit minibuses. The Team is led by Denisa Costea, Head of Communications, working together with Oliver Hilliam, Content Communications Officer; Jason Hill, Media, PR and Digital Manager; Natasha Sloan, Communications Officer; and Thomas Saunders, Digital Marketing Coordinator. 

The core work of the team is to help Marine Society & Sea Cadets to raise its profile externally among targeted audiences. This means generating press activity by working with journalists and media channels to place positive stories; arrange radio and TV recordings; and maximise our engagement with awareness events, from Pride Month to Armed Forces Day. External comms also involves managing the charity’s online profile (across our websites and social media) and securing the reputation of the charity – so that our name and imagery are seen in the best possible light.

Sharing stories and promoting our charity

The team oversees all national publications, from impact reports for funders to our annual reviews, using unit achievements and individual cadet or volunteer stories to showcase the charity’s effectiveness. It produces two issues of The Sea Cadet magazine each year, along with six Sea Cadets Newsletter emails, to keep volunteers, parents and supporters updated with news from across the Corps. The team is also responsible for vital mass emails – such as the Fortnightly Update – which deliver important information directly to our volunteers, parents and carers, and cadets. 

Branding and marketing are also central to the team’s work in producing bespoke external materials, including flyers, publications, reports and presentations. Imagery is hugely important to the Sea Cadets brand, and the team organises professional photographers for important events and competitions – making sure we have a well-stocked image library and video footage for creating promotional videos. 

These national events are usually overseen by the Head of Communications with support from the whole team. Whether it is an annual showpiece like National Trafalgar Day or a Royal Event with our Patron and Admiral, HRH The Princess Royal, the Communications Team will be central to its planning and delivery.

How does the Team offer support?

The Communications Team provides marketing support that helps units get the best outcome with their local recruitment and fundraising efforts. It offers expert assistance to units seeking to gain positive media coverage and can help to deflect or manage potentially damaging press when needed. 

The team can also assist and advise units with their websites or social media platforms and offers a wide range of branding support. This includes the management of the Marketing Hub, which allows volunteers to access professional Sea Cadets imagery and marketing templates – including posters, flyers, roller banners, unit signage, social media graphics and much more.