•All bills
•Staff on hand 24 hours a day
•Lift to all floors
•Meals prepared by our expert staff
•Shared, landscaped garden with summer houses
•Communal activities, including coffee mornings
•Local amenities on the doorstep
•Accessibility features in all suites
Welcome to the Autumn Edition of Envoy.
One of the best things about working for the RAF Families Federation is that no two days are the same. One day you can be taking phone calls from personnel and families, from anywhere in the world, needing our support and assistance. The following day you can be sat in a meeting with policymakers, explaining what we need to do to better protect the needs of our ‘family’. We are always very busy, and there is never a boring day.
The Fam Fed team take an immense amount of pleasure in what we do, not only helping our people with their day-to-day issues, but by informing the RAF Chain of Command, MOD and UK Government about the issues we hear about when you contact us. Not only are we set up to help support the individuals with their specific issues, but we want to get to the root of the problems to ensure others don’t have to experience them.
As we always remind people, we exist to support and represent all of the RAF family – both personnel and family members; those married, in long-term relationships, separated and single. Whatever your rank, and no matter how many years you have served, we are there to help you, and act as your voice when lives need to be improved.
Please reach out if you, or anyone you know, needs our assistance.
Telephone: 01780 781650
email: enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk
Website: raf-ff.org.uk
Envoy – The magazine of the
Federation, published 4 times a year.
To have your FREE copy delivered quarterly to your home,
Simply subscribe online: raf-ff.org.uk/publications/envoy-magazine
Director: Maria Lyle
Office Manager: Ruth McClelland
Communications Manager: Tim Unwin
BESPOKE
millfieldschool.com/open-days
‘I hope that some of you were able to meet our team members over the AUTUMN, as we collectively attended many Families Days, and RAF Network events and Conferences.
Many of you took the time to come and speak to us, and often conversations focused on your current concerns over issues such as accommodation and stretched resources impacting on workloads.
These of course are deep rooted issues, however the July General Election gives us an opportunity - and challenge - to influence a new set of Ministers.
One of our roles is to ensure that they understand the impact of things like
historic under investment in the Defence estate, and how it takes its toll on both retention, and the RAF as an employer of choice for the future. We do this by using the many examples you bring to us, where we try and resolve your individual issues.
This is why our links with you all are so important, and we continue to engage in person and online via our community forums – to help each person who contacts us, but also to influence for long term change.’
Maria
Telephone us on: 01780 781650
Contact us for help: www.raf-ff.org.uk/report-an-issue-form
For general queries, magazine article information: enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk
By | Air Commodore Chris Todd, Head People & Families Support
It is a great pleasure and an honour for me to be invited to write a foreword for this edition of Envoy. I took over from Air Cdre Alan Opie at the end of April and I must begin by paying tribute to his many years of dedication to improving the lived experience of all our Service personnel and families; I certainly learned a great deal from him over the years and am conscious that I have very big shoes to fill. My job is to focus on support to the RAF Family in the widest sense of the word, and that is represented in the new post title as Head of People & Families Support. My background has been very much as a military people professional and I have served around the UK, in Germany and in the USA, as well as on operational tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, so I have experienced what supporting our people and families means in a range of different contexts.
As I write this, the Government has just announced the launch of a Strategic Defence Review. The review’s terms of reference carry a welcome message that the Defence Community will be consulted throughout. Additionally, the appointment of an Armed Forces Commissioner was announced in the King’s Speech. I look forward to learning more about the powers and responsibilities of that role as an independent champion for the Armed Forces and our families, as well as the embodiment of the Armed Forces Covenant into legislation, which was one of the new Government’s manifesto commitments.
As I am sure it is for you, a key focus for me right now is the development of the Modernised Accommodation Offer. With my team, I am working hard to ensure the needs of the RAF Family are clearly represented to the Ministry of Defence programme team. A range of options have been developed and refined, and the next stage is to evaluate the detailed costings for each of the options and to take those choices to Ministers. I know you will be keen to hear more and we will be passing
on as much information as we can as soon as the way ahead becomes clear. Naturally, housing is a very important subject but other top issues for me are access to affordable childcare, the health and well-being of Service personnel, the Haythornthwaite remuneration review workstreams, the review of the Armed Forces Families Strategy, and community development. In all these activities, I am supported by a firstclass team, and we are working closely with the various Armed Forces charities. The RAF Families Federation is a great source of information for us about what matters to you so please continue to use them as a channel for communications and I am looking forward to the challenge of working to meet the evolving needs of the RAF Family.
Guidance for dual-serving parents on registering a child with an NHS GP
We have received a large number of cases from dual-serving families highlighting challenges with registering children at an NHS GP surgery for parents registered with Defence Medical Services.
AFCAS 2024: Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey results
Read the Tri Service results and report on gov.uk. Link on the RAFFF website. The RAF’s report can be viewed now on HQ Air Occupational Psychology Team’s Sharepoint site, if you have MOD access.
Serving Families: on the Move – new funding programme
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has launched Serving Families: on the Move. The first Covenant Fund programme aimed at supporting Service families impacted by relocation.
ResCAS 2024: The 2024 Reserves Continuous Attitude Survey
The RAF ResCAS was issued to a total of 4374 RAF Reservists (including 2788 Volunteer Reserves and 1586 Regular Reserves) and 1410 useable surveys were returned.
This report sets out the AFPRB’s analysis of evidence given by relevant organisations and makes recommendations for Armed Forces’ remuneration and charges.
What you need to know: Small station accommodation charges
Small station accommodation charges are being introduced from 01 August 2024. Find out about the changes and the implications here.
DIO Accommodation
Update: Service Family Accommodation
FamCAS 2024: RAF Families Continuous Attitude Survey results published
The RAF FamCAS was issued to a total of 8,596 married spouses/civil partners of RAF personnel and 1,889 surveys were returned (a response rate of 22%).
Updated regulations for expenses and allowances under JSP 752
The Tri-Service Regulations for Expenses and Allowances (JSP 752) has been updated. JSP 752 is the policy document that provides guidance to determine entitlement to expenses and allowances.
Apart not alone: support for serving families – new funding programme
Update from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) for those of you living in Service Family Accommodation (SFA).
Trust launches Armed Forces Covenant Fund
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has launched Service women: Seen and Heard Programme under the Covenant Fund exciting three-year Funding Framework.
The programme is now open for applications for grants between £5,000 and £15,000 for projects that will help to mitigate the impact of long or frequent involuntary separation.
Progress made on reducing Veterans’ Unclaimed Pensions!
Last year’s campaign launched by the Forces Pension Society and supported by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs working with the MoD, has begun to show tangible results.
RAF Dependants Fund –for Reserves as well as Regulars
The RAF Dependants Fund has been around since 1967, providing immediate financial support to the nominated beneficiary of a member of the RAF, in the event of their death
Life changing mobility equipment provided
Following
Service accommodation contractors Caller IDs
Service accommodation contractors are moving away from withheld numbers for outbound calls. This means personnel and families can now easily tell when a contractor is calling.
How the RAF Benevolent Fund supported the RAF Family in 2023
The Fund provided continuous reassurance, relief and support for the RAF Family in their time of need in 2023, helping over 42,000 members of the RAF Family.
details on all these stories can be found on
Early Years childcare funding overseas: funded childcare hours
From September 2024 eligible families assigned overseas will have access to funded childcare hours for their children aged from 9 months old.
Entrepreneurs empowered by £33.5m of British Business Bank finance
X-Forces Enterprise and the Start Up Loans programme have together provided 3,000 entrepreneurs in the Armed Forces community with the funding and support to start a business.
RAF families with children can expect delays
Overseas supportability checks for RAF families with children are taking longer due to a gap in the team providing the service. It could take up to 6 months for all the checks.
Armed Forces Covenant Fund domestic abuse programme for 2024/25
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust has launched a specialist and targeted funding programme to support people who have been affected by domestic abuse within the serving Armed Forces community.
Focusing on prevention of Veteran suicide
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (the Trust) has launched a new Covenant Fund programme for 2024/25 focusing on the prevention of Veteran suicide.
Education Advisory Team delays to be expected
The Education Advisory Team are taking longer to respond to families due to gapping in the team providing the service. It could take up to between 4 and 9 weeks to get a response.
Living in Service Accommodation and renting out your property
When it comes to Capital Gains Tax the guidance can be unclear for Service personnel and families when living in Service Accommodation and renting out a property.
Atlantic rowers take on Lincolnshire bike challenge: JETRide
Two Lincolnshire rowers who are crossing the Atlantic in 2025 in aid of local youth charity the Jon Egging Trust (JET), plan to unveil their new boat, Momento Mori, at JET’s annual cycling fundraiser.
We represent youinfluencing Parliamentary Committees, Government Departments, Councils and private companies. Your evidence leads to long term, positive change.
* Wraparound Childcare
* Long Term Relationship eligibility
* Military Coworking Network hubs
* NHS single point of contact
* MOD Virtual School
Our specialists support you, where possible resolving the issue.
Anonymised issues from our database, surveys, Station visits and our online Community Forums form our evidence base.
With permission, facts are captured in our secure database. 1 2 444 444 444 444 444 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 5
So please make us aware of the problems you are facing – we may be able to resolve your issue and you will be providing vital evidence for us to influence decision makers.
raf-ff.org.uk/contact
On Wednesday 7th August 2024 RAF Brize Norton hosted a Road Safety Roadshow in collaboration with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).
The focus was on increasing safety on the roads through practical and theoretical training and education. In total, 19 Station personnel, both military and civilian, were able to increase their knowledge in critical skills including accident scene management and on-road driver and rider training.
Flight Lieutenant Chris Fawcett, who organised the event,
said: “As a former police officer, I have witnessed first-hand the impact of poor driving and decision making and the devastation this can bring to individuals and families. I completed the police driving courses several years ago and as a driver and rider with the IAM I have seen the importance of education and training in both developing a safer motoring mindset and practical skill on the road.”
With the day split into two, participants completed a fourhour session with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service who first delivered ‘Choices and Consequences’, exploring driver attitudes and decision making, followed by the nationally
recognised ‘Biker Down’ course, focusing on accident scene management, casualty care, and the ‘Psychology of being seen’ when riding a motorbike.
Chief Technician Mick Gresty, who works on the C17, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the course... I now feel empowered as a result of the Biker Down course and although I hope I never have to deploy any skills, I have enhanced confidence should a situation arise. I would urge all drivers and riders to attend this Course in the future.”
Four nationally qualified motorbike observers and two car observers from the IAM then took over, with ten drivers and seven motorcyclists completing practical on the road training and development based upon the police system of car or bike control. This aims to improve motorists’ observation skills, develop their ability to plan and anticipate hazards, and equip them with the skill and confidence to quickly and smoothly react.
“The whole day was fantastic, and I learnt a lot,” said Mrs Yvonne Parsons, the Station Health and Safety Advisor. “I enjoyed it so much that I have registered on the IAM Advanced Driver course.”
“It was a really good introduction to the IAM Advanced Rider courses, and I will definitely be taking away a lot of points to develop my riding in the future…” said Flying Officer Joe West of the Voyager Support Force. “I think it is awesome what they are doing to spread awareness of road safety.”
Flt Lt Fawcett said: “This investment in training cannot be underestimated and it was great to be able to bring this partnership between the fire service and the IAM to RAF Brize Norton. It was encouraging to see the participants fully engaging in the sessions
and I hope that their introduction to advanced motoring is something that they can take away and apply practically whenever they are on the road.”
“Biker Down” has been developed by the Fire Service following an off-duty firefighter witnessing a Motorcycle accident and using his own training as a Fire-fighter to assist at the scene. On reflection, he realised the skills and knowledge he had would be well shared with fellow Bikers. Visit bikerdown.co.uk for more information.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists are a national road safety charity founded in 1956. Their mission promotes being a force for good, with skills development and education at the core of what they do, teaching post licence holders (drivers and riders) new skills to create fulfilling and safe journeys on the road. For further details, visit www.iamroadsmart.com
Partners of serving naval personnel, we want to support you in finding ways to gain further qualifications!
With funding from the Armed Forces Families Fund, a team at Bath Spa University is working on an online information Hub designed to support service partners to access qualifications from pre-GCSE to post-graduate level. It will specifically focus on routes to qualifications which are achievable regardless of relocation frequency, unpredictability of working hours and/or childcare needs.
We are inviting partners of serving personnel to consider participating in a focus group this autumn to learn what the Hub will offer and to suggest any additional information and guidance it could provide. If you are near Portsmouth Naval Base, this will be an in-person focus group. If you live further afield, this will be online. Following participation in the focus groups, we will send through a £15 shopping voucher as a thank you for your time.
If you would like to know more, please email AF3hub@bathspa.ac.uk and you will be sent more information about the proposed Hub and details of how to register for a focus group should you choose to.
“It takes a village to raise a child” says the proverb, encapsulating the idea that communities play a pivotal role in nurturing and raising children.
Rachel Manton believes the RAF represents an ideal community for children to grow up in and she’s embraced this wholeheartedly in her job as Carer Recruitment Officer for the independent fostering agency, Jay Fostering which is part of National Fostering Group. One of Rachel’s primary objectives is to encourage more RAF families to come forward as foster carers because she believes they have something special to offer.
When you meet Rachel it’s immediately obvious that this is more than just a job for her. Way more. Rachel is a passionate advocate for fostering AND for the RAF. It’s this unique combination that makes her such a powerful spokesperson for fostering in the RAF.
The reason is that Rachel has first-hand experience of fostering as an RAF family and regards her time as a foster carer based at RAF Henlow in Bedfordshire as a high point in her life. She explains:
“Our daughters were eight and seven when we applied to become a foster family. That was 10 years ago. But I knew I wanted to foster 10-15 years before that. My parents became foster carers when I was in my early 20s and I saw the difference they made to the children they looked after. I was ‘recruited’ from that point and knew it was only a matter of time before I started fostering. Living on an RAF camp seemed the ideal environment to do it as it’s such a supportive and welcoming community, with so many resources for children.”
Rachel and her family were living in a smallish three-bedroom house at the time but when she spoke to the Welfare Officer about her plans, they were offered a much larger house on the other side of the station and moved within weeks.
Their foster son, Luke, was just four when he came to live with them. Rachel says:
“He was like a sponge – he wanted to do everything and try everything, and there was so much for him to do. The first time I took him swimming, he wanted to jump in the deep end, which says it all. Living on camp was the perfect environment – there were lots of children he could play with and, because they’re used to new faces coming and going, there was no problem with him settling in at school. We would go all together to the Mess on Fridays for family time and there were always loads of activities and events that he could join in with – like the Easter egg
hunt, trick or treating and Christmas parties. Luke had never visited Santa before he came, but his first Christmas with us, he went to five different Christmas parties and saw Santa each time. He just thrived.”
Rachel is in awe of the amazing difference foster carers make and knows, from personal experience, that it’s not always easy:
“Foster carers make a difference in different ways. Some choose to foster many different children to allow as many as possible to experience a safe and loving family home. We went a different route. We knew Luke was going to be put up for adoption and we didn’t want him to have the disruption of that. We adored him, he clicked with us as a family, our daughters Lara and Heidi loved him and he was settled and happy. So, we decided to adopt him ourselves and he became our son. We never looked back. Luke’s 14 now and we’re so proud of him. He’s part of 2160 Sleaford Squadron Air Cadets – he’s learning to socialise with people of all different ages, to shoot and, ultimately, he’ll learn to fly. This year he began his Duke of Edinburgh Award.”
Rachel no longer lives on an RAF station, but she remains a passionate advocate for RAF foster families. When she saw the role of Carer Recruitment Officer advertised with Jay Fostering, she knew she had to have the job.
“I went all out to get it,” she explains. “I did loads of research and did a PowerPoint presentation on how RAF families make ideal foster carers. I got the job and now I spend a lot of my time visiting RAF camps and talking to people about fostering. That’s how it happens, through those conversations. People are so welcoming and, even if they’re not ready to foster at that point, it can plant a seed like it did with me.
“Sometimes people are concerned about what might happen if they get an overseas posting, but I tell them, there are many different types of fostering –short-term, long-term, respite. You can find something to suit you, and you could change a child’s life. What could be more amazing than that?”
Scan the QR code or email events@nfa.co.uk to find out more about fostering, and our forthcoming RAF
The RAF’s Wedgetail E7 AEW Mk1 aircraft has taken its maiden test flight from Birmingham Airport.
This marks an important milestone in the delivery of this cutting-edge Airborne Early Warning and Control capability (AEW&C).
Currently unpainted, the aircraft undertook what is known as a Functional Check flight, which tests flying control, engine, and avionics systems following the initial build phase, which took place at STS Aviation Services, Birmingham.
The Wedgetail is the most technologically advanced AEW&C system available and will provide UK Defence with eyes in the sky, to see far beyond ground-based systems and fighter aircraft sensors. Already in service and proven with the Royal Australian, Republic of South Korean and Turkish Air Forces, the platform has recently been selected by the United States Air Force and NATO as their next command and control aircraft.
Name: Boeing E-7 Wedgetail
Based on: Boeing 737 Next Generation First Flight: 2004
Capable of generating a 360-degree view of the airspace and as a force multiplier, it will provide advanced warning of approaching threats to enable commanders to fight effectively in complex environments.
Capable of fulfilling a wide range of missions, Wedgetail will provide high fidelity and accurate target information utilising its cutting-edge Multirole Electronically Scanned Array housed in a distinctive fin on the spine of the aircraft. The sensor, combined with an advanced communications suite, enables the crew to provide tactical control to other assets via voice and tactical data link whilst enhancing the situational awareness of Joint Force commanders.
The mission crew will utilise state-of-the-art workstations to deliver a multi-domain battle management capability: providing situational awareness to other assets, directing offensive and defensive forces whilst maintaining continuous surveillance of an area. The Wedgetail significantly enhances the capability of
Current Operators: Royal Australian Air Force, Türk Hava Kuvvetleri (Turkish Air Force), Daehanminguk Gong-gun (South Korean Air Force)
Future Operators: RAF, USAF, NATO
friendly combat aircraft and warships, enabling their missions and increasing their survivability in a hostile environment.
Later this Autumn, the aircraft will depart to a paint facility to receive its RAF livery, and will come into service in 2025.
The UK’s Wedgetail will serve under No 8 Squadron and will be located at RAF Lossiemouth alongside the Poseidon Maritime Patrol aircraft, both of which are based upon the widely used Boeing 737 Next Generation airframe, allowing the RAF to take advantage of synergies between the fleets.
This article was re-published with the kind permission of the RAF. Photos: Sqn Ldr Ronan Carey © Crown copyright 2024
Words: UK Ministry of Defence © Crown copyright 2024
Learn how the RAF Benevolent Fund helped an incredible 11-year-old, and her family
When Emily was born prematurely, the months and years to follow were filled with worry for parents Jon and Hannah about the uncertainty of her health. Thanks to the RAF Benevolent Fund, the family have received the financial support they needed to pull them through a difficult time, and Emily, now 11, has been able to thrive with her new-found independence.
Born prematurely at 28 weeks, Emily had a difficult start in life. Her mum, Hannah, said: “We felt like something was wrong when we noticed that Emily wasn’t meeting milestones. We were repeatedly told that her prematurity meant that she would take longer to develop, but something didn’t feel right instinctively.”
Jon added: “We kept pushing for answers at hospital visits; Emily’s care was transferred to a children’s hospital in Sheffield where she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and from then onwards, we started to learn more about her condition. It didn’t help with being in the military and moving around a lot over the years. In 2014 we decided we needed to buy a house and look towards settling down.”
Jon served in the RAF Police for over 22 years and spent most of his career in the Special Investigations Branch, touring in Afghanistan and Iraq and retiring from his service as a Sergeant in 2019.
Jon decided to leave the RAF when it was becoming increasingly difficult to be away from home. He said: “I was on tour in Qatar in 2017, but I returned early because it was breaking Hannah. Emily was four years old at the time and didn’t understand why she could see daddy on a video call but not in person.”
Jon was given a compassionate posting and finished his service at RAF Linton on Ouse. He is now training to become a driving instructor to work flexibly around his family.
When they realised they would need to make adaptations to their home in Harrogate to support Emily in the long-term, the family contacted their local authority who had agreed they would be eligible for help towards an extension on their home. However, they would only be able to contribute a percentage of the cost of the downstairs bedroom and ensuite renovations for Emily.
The Caffrey’s were made aware of the Fund’s support through a friend who was an RAF Warrant Officer and reached out to see if they would be eligible for financial assistance. A grant was approved by the Fund to go towards the cost of the building work to make downstairs living more accessible for Emily, which also consisted of making the garden a safer, more usable space. Hannah recalled: “When the Fund rang and told me we’d been approved – I cried. I couldn’t believe it.”
Jon added: “The new facilities downstairs have given Emily her own independence as she has limited mobility. The wet room is life-changing for showering Emily and having a toilet downstairs has made toilet training so much easier. The extension has future-proofed our home and is the perfect long-term solution for our family. The garden has helped us enormously; we now have artificial grass because Emily spends most of her time on her knees. The garden is now level and has ramped access onto the decking so she can access the whole garden and make use of it all.”
The Fund has also supported Emily with a specialist horse riding saddle and a new trike.
According to her parents, Emily is undeterred by any challenges she faces in life. In 2023, Emily completed the Yorkshire Abilities Triathlon – a triathlon put on for participants with disabilities. She completed a 50m swim, a 1500m bike ride with her new trike, and an 800m run with her walker, raising over £3000 for the Fund.
Following the epic challenge, Emily won the Sporting Superstar award (12 and under) at the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards for her inspiring fundraising efforts.
Jon said: “When Emily was first getting assessed, there was talk that she was never going to be able to walk or talk. And she keeps surprising us with the new levels she makes – she’s a determined little thing! We couldn’t have done it without the Fund. The saddle and trike have helped Emily a lot, but the grant for the house has been our biggest support – without the Fund I don’t know how things would have ended up.”
To learn more about the work of the RAF Benevolent Fund, visit www.rafbf.org
From 5 – 9 February, five members of the April Fools Club completed a four-day trek across the Falkland Islands to raise money for the RAF’s leading welfare charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund.
RAF veterans Stuart Hulley (Stu), 57, from Buckinghamshire and Martin Wintermeyer, 60, from Rutland, took part in the challenge, walking almost 100 miles across the battlefield sites of the 1982 Falklands Conflict. Stu and Martin both served for 20 years as Navigators on Tornado planes. The pair were joined on the trek by RAF veteran Paul Belham, 55, and fellow April Fools Club members Ian Revell, 60, and Bill Holloway, 63. The April Fools Club is a fellowship community building relationships between the RAF and business in the UK and the USA. The club has raised nearly £1million for RAF charities since its inception in 2008. It takes its name from the formation date of the Royal Air Force.
Stu said: “We achieved everything we wanted on our Falklands expedition, despite ferocious weather requiring a replan on day three. We are battered and bruised but very proud of what we have achieved. We have so far raised £16,000 for the RAF
Benevolent Fund. We are pleased to have raised awareness of the support available for RAF veterans as well as to have walked the battlefields on which the Class of '82 fought. It was important to all of us to pay tribute to those who have fallen and lay crosses of remembrance.”
The Falklands Conflict was a short undeclared war between Argentina and Britain. The conflict lasted 74 days and cost over 900 lives.
Martin said: “The Fund has been a charity close to my heart since joining the air force and I am honoured to be able to support those less fortunate than myself. I know loads of people who have been supported by the Fund. I’ve been involved with the RAF Widows Association and am aware of the fantastic work of the Listening and Counselling service run by the Fund – as well as the outstanding respite holiday home in Yorkshire; the support is just amazing. Raising awareness of the work of the Fund is so important, as well as raising vital funds to support serving personnel and veterans who may need it.”
The team have raised over £17,000 for the RAF Benevolent Fund so far. The money raised will go towards the Listening and Counselling service at the Fund, offering confidential support to those dealing with a range of issues including stress, bereavement, anxiety, and loneliness. You can donate to the team’s fundraiser bit.ly/BenFundFalklands
The RAF Benevolent Fund provides financial, emotional, and practical assistance to serving and retired RAF personnel and their families. This includes grants to help with financial difficulty, mental health support, Airplay youth clubs, and more.
The Club was founded by John Fay MBE, Tony Hambleton and Phil Peters at RAF Linton on Ouse in 2008. It takes its name from the formation date of the Royal Air Force.
The RAF was founded on the 1st April 1918 by Lord Trenchard, the Father of the Royal Air Force.
To date, there are around 180 members, of which 40% are serving or former serving RAF Officers. The remaining 60% are leaders in business and passionate supporters of the RAF.
To learn more about the club, visit aprilfoolsclub.co.uk
Extensive
Outstanding
A significant percentage of enquiries I receive relate to issues with partner employment, both in the UK and overseas. I have been busy engaging with employers to increase their understanding of the unique challenges that arise from being the partner of a serving person. From meetings with Step into Health to various employment working groups, I am keeping this topic at the top of the agenda.
A key area for all three Families Federations, is the complicated issue of employment when posted overseas. We are working together to raise awareness of the difficulties faced, and to advocate for change. We are actively engaged with the MOD and the wider employment sector to try and improve the situation, and to ensure that clear and accurate information is available to families well in advance of any overseas posting.
I have recently attended the International Military Spouse Employment Virtual Summit, which brings together participants from across the globe to focus on military partner employment, discuss common themes, share knowledge and expertise, and learn from others. It has been interesting to network with so many people from across the world and make international connections, with the aim of enhancing career development support and employment opportunities for military partners/ spouses around the world.
The summer has passed, the RAF FF collaborative work continued with DIO, Pinnacle, Amey and VIVO to highlight the ongoing issues that RAF families are experiencing. DIO have hosted two meetings during the summer period which gave the RAF FF a platform to raise awareness on behalf of those RAF Families who are experiencing significant SFA issues; both the DIO Customer Experience Steering Group and Accommodation Delivery Innovation Forum have provided work strands that will ensure that RAF Families will hopefully gain an improved ‘lived experience’. Work strands such as, families will see an improvement of their SFA maintenance journey, “Follow On works” as a focus to collectively improve the process and the journey the family can track; the extended use of video calling to provide greater clarity of works required before first visit and lastly, the damp & mould programme with an increase in funding support, up from last year’s £25m to £35m where the focus remains on tackling the symptoms and underlying causes that require additional investment.
The RAF FF are tracking the downturn in move-in standards that families are experiencing, as well as SFA stock is currently very low throughout the RAF SFA estate. Therefore, those RAF families who are LTR(E) and 80 days/nights non-resident parent’s applicants are finding their applications being put on hold by Pinnacle. The RAF FF will continue to advocate on behalf of all RAF families to ensure those cohorts of families are represented.
Lastly, it is time to say goodbye to Stan Brathwaite who has been the RAF FF Policy Advisor for Accommodation for the past 13 years. Stan has been a first-class ambassador for the RAF Families Federation; Stan will be very much missed!
The summer months have been a real success, with a high level of engagement and relationship building achieved at the various Families Days we attended. Turnout was excellent and the weather defied early predictions of a potential washout. Thanks to all those who came and said hello. Attention now turns to our now established Autumn / Winter tour of units to hold our “drop-in” clinics, which will commence in earnest in late October. We look forward to visiting some new locations for the first time including MOD Abbey Wood, MOD Corsham, MOD Boscombe Down and MOD Leuchars, as well as the regular ports of call. Dates for some are yet to be finalised. So keep your eyes peeled for advertising locally and if you think a “drop-in” at your unit would be appreciated, please email enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk
AN INSIGHT INTO WHAT OUR TEAMS
THE TEAM ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU AS A SERVICE PERSON OR FAMILY MEMBER. We provide an independent voice, educate networks and push for policy change that supports the RAF community. Here is a snapshot of a few of our current areas of work – aimed at making life better for you at work or at home whether in the UK, or overseas.
It has been a busy year so far! In May I attended the Forces In Mind Trust Annual that brought together researchers, clinicians, service providers and government representatives from across the UK and international Armed Forces Community who gave real insight to the issues that our Armed Forces Community experience and ongoing work to mitigate the disadvantages of service life. Later in the month I accompanied the AMPBT on their annual visit to Cyprus; I met with families at various locations in BFC to better understand the experiences of our families living and working there. I met with key stakeholders and forged new contacts who support the Armed Forces Community, who we will work with in the future to better serve our single personnel and families.
In June I travelled to Edinburgh Napier University to attend the RBL Roundtable Additional Education Support Needs in Armed Forces Families. It brought together a variety of research, policy and lived experiences to identify barriers, understand good practice, and agree next steps to improve policy & practice for armed forces families with additional support needs in Scotland. It was useful to understand some of the differences in how children with additional needs are supported in educational settings north of the border.
In July I attended the RAF Mental Health Symposium ‘Building Support Through Sharing’ symposium at RAF Cranwell. This event focused on the lived experience of serving personnel across a range of issues, domestic abuse, suicide, post-natal depression, and personal reflections on eating disorders. The speakers gave impactful and generous testimony which provided a true insight into their own experiences, which provoked thoughtful and valuable discussions on what changes can be made to support others who may have similar experiences.
I continue to work with NHS England as part of the Armed Forces Patient and Public Voice Group; our focus for the coming months will be how we can best support current serving personnel and their families when accessing NHS treatments and services. We are working hard to improve continuity of care and more efficient transitions between NHS trusts for our families.
It’s been good to have the opportunity to meet with Service personnel and families over the last few months, both online at the RAF Community Forums and in person at families days, to listen to your experiences of accessing education and childcare and understand where you have been successful in accessing support or may be encountering challenges. Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to engage with us to help inform the work we do advocating for the RAF community. We will continue to provide anonymised evidence on the matters that you raise to us with the relevant stakeholders including the MOD, RAF, education departments and local authorities.
We welcome the recent announcement that the expanded early years provision available in England will be extended to eligible Service families based overseas. Further details on this can be found in the article ‘Based Overseas With Young Children?’ in this issue, or at discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/raf/families/overseasnursery-authority. We are aware that this will not benefit all members of the RAF community and, if you have any questions or concerns relating to childcare, please do get in touch.
You may have seen that overseas supportability checks for RAF families with children are taking longer due to a gap in the team providing the service. It could take up to 6 months for all the checks – we encourage families considering applying for overseas assignments to contact the Overseas Education and Supportability Team (OEST) at bit.ly/oest early to request guidance and support. The OEST can be contacted by email at: RC-DCS-HQ-OES@mod.gov.uk.
You may be aware that the Government has announced its intention to apply 20% VAT to private school fees across the UK from January 2025. Draft VAT legislation has been released (bit.ly/VATSchoolFees) and a public consultation has been carried out. The RAFFF have prepared a response to the Government consultation on VAT on school fees about the impact this draft policy may have on some RAF families - www.raf-ff. org.uk/vat-changes-to-school-fees. We will continue to engage with the RAF and relevant Government departments on this matter.
It has been a busy few months and I have been involved in a variety of activities ranging from learning about and meeting the various personalities and agencies that we engage with on a regular basis, to representing the RAFFF at on-line meetings with the Research Advisory Group, the Norfolk Armed Forces Covenant Board, Global Removals Movement Services and the Highland Council Military Liaison Group, to name but a few.
I have also met with personnel and families at RAF Wyton, RAF Cranwell, RAF Waddington, RAF Shawbury and RAF Digby. In June I attended the Military Families Day Invitational Symposium, hosted by the King’s Centre for Military Health Research and the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research, where I networked with military specialist academics, researchers, charity representatives, and the other Families Federations.
I have also been focusing on the ‘Single’ cohort in the RAF. It became very apparent during the RAFFF ‘Single Living Accommodation Community Forum’, that many Single personnel in the RAF not only feel unrepresented, but also claim to being disadvantaged in a number of ways. As a result, we devised a list of pertinent questions and conducted a Service Evaluation to capture key ‘evidence’ from the Single community. The Service Evaluation ran throughout August and attracted over 650 responses. Over the coming weeks, I will be analysing the results and publishing a report of the findings. Some of the early findings have already been presented to the new Minister for Defence People & Families. Another key piece of work I have been involved with is the RAFFF response to the Technical Consultation to the introduction of VAT on private school fees. Many personnel will be affected by the new proposal to tax private school fees, and we have therefore presented the views of our families to the Consultation.
I joined the RAF in 1981, at the age of seventeen and left in 2003, spending just over twenty-two years in the trade of Personnel Administrator (now Personnel Support). I served in various locations at home and in Germany. I was employed in a range of customer facing roles during my career and enjoyed deployments to Gulf War 1 and Bosnia. Key tours as an Instructor at Secretarial Training Squadron and then Airmen’s (now Aviator) Command Squadron led to a decision to seek new pastures and after a couple of false starts, a long and successful second career in the NHS, in Leadership and Management and Organisational Development Consultancy roles resulted.
I joined the RAF Families Federation in July 2022. I was delighted to be joining an organisation that does so much to support RAF Personnel and their families. It was a chance for me to give back to an organisation that gave me just about everything, apart from my wife and children and an organisation that I was so proud to serve in for so many years. The RAF Families Federation is a small team of thirteen people that possess a wide range of knowledge and experience and certainly makes big differences to the quality of life of RAF Personnel and their families.
I am now into my third year and many positive strides on the Engagement front have been made. I made it my aim at the outset to increase the levels of face-toface engagement with our customer base, outside of the annual summer season of family’s days and ad-hoc Health and Wellbeing events, as well as input to other events, i.e. HR Welfare Courses and Reserve Force dialins. This expansion was initially achieved through the roll out of a pilot number of drop-in clinics at stations in late
2022 and early 2023, where I worked with a network of contacts within Community Support, Community Development and the HIVE organisation. These key contacts continue to be important to me, helping to ensure the smooth running of our engagement function. Though numbers were not great at the pilot sessions, enough evidence was gathered, and cases generated for our subject matter experts, for them to be considered a success. This was followed by a larger number of dropins in late 2023 and early 2024 where an increase of more than 100% face-to-face contacts was recorded. To that end, planning is now underway for a third roll out commencing in Autumn 2024.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with The RAF Families Federation to date. Amazing work is being done daily by a small team of dedicated professionals, where big differences are being made to the quality of life for our Service Personnel and their families.
If you would like a visit or briefing to discuss how RAF Families Federation can help and support you and your families, please get in touch with me at ian.todd@raf-ff.org.uk or enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk
When Olivia became part of the Armed Forces community – her partner serves in the British Army - she found military life hard. It was a lifestyle she was unfamiliar with, and she struggled to adapt. Living behind the wire, in an isolated bubble, cut off from the life she knew and separated from family and friends, she felt lonely and isolated.
In 2022, when her partner was posted to Blandford, Olivia was in the final year of her PhD.
That move threw up two important issues.
Firstly, she needed a space to work away from home, free of any of the distractions and disturbances of home, but also close to where she and her
partner were stationed. She also needed stable, reliable Wi-Fi, something that Service Family Accommodation (SFA) does not always deliver on.
And secondly, she felt even more isolated. A career in academia can be a lonely experience in its own right. But combine it with the impact of military life, that sense of loneliness can take on an even bigger dimension.
And then the Military Coworking Network through her a lifeline.
In 2022, Olivia joined the Blandford Coworking Hub, and it delivered on both – it gave her a place to work and access to a ready-made community of likeminded people.
“I joined the coworking hub in 2022 when my partner and I
moved to Blandford in Dorset. I was in the last year of my PhD and needed a space to work that was away from home, away from distractions and most importantly stable Wi-Fi! What I didn’t expect to get was not only those things but also a community.
“It was my first time living on a military camp and after the first few months I found living behind the wire really tough. I was isolated already because of my job (academia is a pretty lonely field) and then living away from friends and family in a really unusual setting was hard for me.
“It was so nice knowing that I could go to the hub and not only work, but chat and have a coffee with people - some of whom really understood my point of view.”
Another posting - this time to Bulford.
“I then fell pregnant; my partner was posted to Bulford
Camp near Salisbury, Wiltshire, and we moved again. I joined the Bulford Coworking Hub for all the same reasons I had joined the Blandford one. I now have a young daughter, but I still need a stable and welcome place to work away from home and distractions. The hub is a great way to speak to like-minded people, who understand the ups, downs and everything inbetween of being a military spouse.”
Coworking Hubs are so much more than a place to work. They are also a place to network and socialise, a place to make friends and find support. For many spouses and partners who suddenly find themselves thrown into a lifestyle that differs so starkly from civilian life, they become a vital lifeline. They give them a community they can belong to, a place where they can be themselves.
“Truthfully the hubs have been a bit of a lifeline for me. Military life was a lifestyle I wasn’t familiar with, I was cut off from my normal work environment both by location and by having a baby and was living in a place where I knew few people. But the hubs have been a great way to connect with people, still feel like a professional person and actually get some work done!”
To find out more about our MCN coworking hubs, visit https://www.militarycoworking.uk/hub-membership
Clifton College (A leading co-educational day and boarding school for 3 - 18 year olds in the heart of Bristol) has a rich and established heritage with the British Armed Forces and the families that serve within it. For over 150 years the College has proudly provided a base for the children of serving British Armed Forces and Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office personnel. Fees set at a fixed flat rate per term. Find out more at cliftoncollege.com/ admissions/forces-families/
The RAF Families Federation has always offered its services to single and unmarried RAF personnel, and those in long-term relationships (LTRs), ensuring every Serving person has access to assistance and guidance. We recognise the needs of all RAF personnel, regardless of marital status. Single and unmarried RAF personnel face different challenges and require tailored support, and we are dedicated to learning more about these challenges so we can support the entire RAF ‘family’ and campaign for improvements in service life for all.
Flt Lt Natalie Morrell attended our Community Forum on Single Living Accommodation earlier this year as she was keen to discuss issues regarding postings which she had experienced. Natalie takes up the story:
“While attending the Community Forum, it dawned on me that as a single individual, I was being listened to and my voice was being heard. Until then, I hadn’t realised the Families Federation was there for me too. I called the Federation shortly after the forum to
discuss the accommodation and allowances disparities I had experienced and then messaged an online group I belong to, to let them know the Families Federation was happy to take up our cause.
“Since then, I have had regular contact with the Federation and have been happy to work with them in order to help find equity for single individuals.”
We have since undertaken a 'Service Evaluation’ of RAF personnel to learn more about the lives of Single Individuals in the RAF, and are now sharing our findings from the 653 responses with all relevant parties. So, whoever you are, and whatever your personal circumstance, if you serve in the RAF, or are a family member of anyone who does, remember the RAF Families Federation is there for you too. Contact us with any queries at enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk, or by scanning this QR code
“Custodem Custodire” Guarding the Guardians
119 Locations across the UK
Structured shift system throughout the year
MPGS service is pensionable
Entitled to Single Living Accommodation (SLA) & Service Family’s Accommodation (SFA)
Free Medical and Dental Care
30 days annual leave per financial year (7.5 weeks)
Maximum age to enlist is 57 (serve until 60)
Full career with promotion up to the rank of WO1
Provides stability to settle down while retaining full time regular status on a Military Local Service Engagement (UK mainland only)
Find out if you can benefit from an
From September 2024 eligible families assigned overseas will have access to funded childcare hours for their children aged from 9 months old.
Defence have expanded the childcare offer for families assigned overseas with 9 months – 4-year-old children, to match the entitlement in England.
Early Years funded childcare overseas
To reflect the offer available in England, all families assigned overseas with children aged 3 to 4 years old, and 2-year-old children in receipt of additional government support, are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week during term time.
From September 2024 additional funded hours are available for eligible working families during term time. Find out if you are eligible for 15 hours a week for children aged 9 months to 3 years, or 30 hours a week for children aged 3 to 4 years.
For more information about the Early Years childcare available in England, please go to https://bit.ly/EYCEng
When can parents assigned overseas access the funded childcare hours?
From September 2024 eligible working families will be entitled to up to 15 hours of funded childcare for their 9 months to 3-year-old child(ren) from the term after they turn 9 months old and for up to 30 hours funded childcare for their 3–4-yearold child(ren) from the term following their third birthday.
From September 2025 eligible working families will receive up to 30 hours of funded childcare for children aged 9 months old to school age.
Who is eligible?
• Regular Service personnel including FTRS (FC)
• UK Based Civil Servants (UKBCs) assigned overseas with accompanying pre-school aged children. Fee-paying contractors cannot apply.
To be eligible for the additional funding available to working families, both parents i.e. the Defence person and their spouse/ partner (or a sole parent in a lone parent family), must meet the minimum earnings threshold, of at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum or Living Wage, and not exceed the maximum earnings threshold of £100,000 per year.
What do parents need to do?
• Check eligibility by reading the DIN content.
• Identify a suitable Defence Children Services (DCS) setting.
Where there is no DCS provider, or if DCS are unable to meet the requirements of the family, Overseas Nursery Authority (ONA) can be applied for and used. However, the childcare provider must be registered, regulated and inspected by the host nation.
Service personnel and UK Based Civil Servants (UKBCs) with accompanying pre-school aged children, which replaces the ONA and 30 hours childcare DINs. DINs are only available on the Defence intranet.
Further information and guidance for families is available at discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/raf/families/overseasnursery-authority. Service personnel can find further information on the Defence Childcare Information Page (defnet or Defence Connect access required).
• Get sign-off from Commanding Officer, Commander, or Head of Location for non DCS Providers, or the Head Teacher / Early Years Manager for DCS providers.
• Keep supporting evidence/receipts of application forms and ongoing claims for audit purposes.
Full information can be found in the new DIN, 2024DIN01085-Funded childcare entitlements and processes for overseas
Early Years childcare within the UK Defence remains committed to enabling access to appropriate, enriching, and safe childcare for the children of Service families.
There is a commitment to look at the ‘offer’ that is in place throughout the UK and overseas. This piece of work will consider the totality of the offer, not just in relation to childcare, and may not result in any changes.
Early Years childcare funding overseas, email: PEOPLE-AFFS-Child-Expenses@ mod.gov.uk
Living overseas and need Families Federation support? Visit https://bit.ly/3UY8fPZ Or scan this code
By | A/ Sgt Hollie Ayres
Just two years ago, I was pregnant with my second child while serving as part of a Dual-Serving couple posted to Cyprus under a Long-Term Relationship agreement. At the time, I was filled with uncertainty: Would I be able to stay in post? Would we have the option to return to the UK? How would maternity leave affect my overseas allowances? These questions, along with many other worries, felt overwhelming— until some friends told me about the New Parent Pack produced by the RAF. Instead of combing through countless JSPs, I found clear and accessible guidance in those booklets.
After reading the materials and talking to other serving parents, my partner and I decided to request shared parental leave. Thankfully, our unit approved the request, and my partner was able to take three months off to spend time with our newly expanded family. Fast forward, and I’m now back at work. My eldest is still attending the same school in Cyprus, and my youngest is happy and settled in nursery. Upon my return, I took on the role of the
main point of contact for the Parents Returning to Work Network in Cyprus.
Our journey doesn't fully convey the frustration we faced during the process. We struggled to find someone in Cyprus who had gone through this experience, and my Line Manager wasn’t given the information needed to provide the right support. I was fortunate to be in a unit that was willing to dig into the details and welcome the New Parent Pack with open arms, but not everyone is so lucky.
Are you currently posted to Cyprus and expecting a new addition to your family? Whether you’re pregnant or going through the adoption process, understanding how the RAF can support you can ease a lot of the stress. Returning from maternity, paternity, parental, or adoption leave can be daunting, especially when you’ve been away for an extended period. Whether you’re coming back to your previous role or starting a new post in Cyprus, it can feel like a challenging transition.
The key is having a clear understanding of your leave
entitlements, pay allowances, and available support, so you can prepare for your new arrival without worrying about how it will impact your career. The RAF has produced helpful, easy-to-read booklets, which are available on the RAF Parents Returning to Work Network SharePoint page https://modgovuk.sharepoint.com/ teams/302508. These booklets can guide you through the entire process, from taking leave to preparing for your return.
If you’re feeling uncertain or just want to chat with someone who’s been through the process, the Parents Returning to Work Network is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you need advice, information, or just a friendly face, don’t hesitate to reach out. My contact details are below, and I'm always happy to help!
Hollie.ayres100@mod.gov.uk
All the newly-revised RAF Parent Packs are also hosted on the RAF Families Federation website at www.raf-ff.org.uk/health/parenthood
If you’re interested in Yoga classes within the WSBA (Episkopi Station and RAF Akrotiri), Hollie’s Yoga classes are pretty popular in the area! They’re a good way to meet new people as a new arrival or new parent / parent to be and there are classes children can attend too. It has been hugely beneficial for me – pre/ post-natal and babies can attend after. Visit holliejane.com for further details
The RAF Families Federation had an inside look at the British Forces Post Office in action
By | Sue Gee, Partner Employment and Overseas Support Policy Advisor
Along with my Army Families Federation and Naval Families Federation colleagues, I was invited to visit headquarters (HQ) British Forces Post Office (BFPO) at RAF Northolt to find out about their operations and the work they are doing to ensure an efficient and effective postal and courier service. Receiving parcels and gifts from friends and loved ones whilst you are overseas can give a huge boost to moral and is a key tenet of BFPO activity to keep Defence personnel connected. Here are a few of the key points we would like to share:
How mail is transported . . .
BFPO move around 500 tons of mail each year, on more than 6,000 flights to 400+ global Defence locations; however, they are a small part of that supply chain. On receipt of mail from Royal Mail and other commercial couriers, BFPO screens, sorts and dispatches the mail on the next available transport for onward movement into Theatre by the nominated carrier. It then needs to clear local customs before being delivered to the Field Post Office and Unit Postal Orderlies.
How to ensure parcels are posted correctly . . .
BFPO have published a guide on GOV.UK providing information to help customers ensure items are delivered on time and are not delayed or lost: www.gov.uk/bfpo The guidance has everything you need to know, including where to go if you need advice or have any issues.
Additionally, the following tips should help you avoid any hiccups when sending your mail items. If you read the guide and follow the information below, your mail should have a smooth journey!
How to prepare your mail items . . .
· Standard/large letters or correspondence do not need a completed customs form (CN22/CN23).
· For all other items (small packets/parcels), you must attach a completed customs form. Make sure you
read the ‘Customs Declarations’ section of the BFPO guide to complete it correctly. Also, check the guide for items that cannot be sent, to avoid your parcel being returned.
· You can prepare and print your customs form before visiting the Post Office/ Forces Post Office. (Post Office Ltd are in the process of updating this application to make it compatible to use on Apple and android devices. BFPO will update customers once this work is complete.)
· Always provide a return address, including full name and postcode. Whilst BFPO make every effort to return mail that cannot be shipped, without these details there may be no alternative but to process the item for disposal.
· If possible, use printed address labels as they are easily read by BFPO automated sorting systems. This will reduce the risk of items being delayed.
· If you are handwriting your address, always write recipient/return addresses clearly in block capital letters.
· Never include the destination country within the BFPO address, always use a standard BFPO address. BFPO numbers can be found in the guide.
What to do at the Post Office . . .
· Ensure you take out the appropriate level of item compensation that matches the value of the contents.
· Request and keep a proof of posting or your invoice/ purchase email until your item is delivered, you will need that in the rare event of submitting a claim for loss/ damage.
· Never pay international mail rates as all BFPO mail should be priced using UK Inland First-Class rates which are considerably
cheaper.
· If your item qualifies for the Enduring Families Free Mail Service (operational free mail up to 2Kg), always keep the value of your item below £20.00. Ensure you declare all items/values and tick the ‘gift’ box on the customs declaration form. Again, ensure you check the guide for items you cannot send.
· Forces Free Air Letters (Blueys) should always be available at your local post office on request.
· If your Post Office branch doesn’t facilitate the above, please report this to the BFPO Service Desk/Customer Enquiries. BFPO will report all incidents to Post Office Ltd who will then engage with branch staff to raise their awareness of the current guidelines.
How BFPO work with other agencies . . .
Staff at BFPO are continually liaising with other agencies to ensure that the needs of the Armed Forces Community can be met. Some examples of their work:
• Working with DVLA to facilitate better access to those with a BFPO address. Customers can now choose a BFPO address for all online and postal Driving Licence applications. It is also possible to choose a BFPO address when purchasing a Personalised Registration plate. BFPO have also secured provision on International Driving Permits (free of charge to MOD personnel & families), which can be obtained from any of their overseas Forces Post Office network.
• Working with businesses to include Harmonised System (HS) commodity codes for online orders and encourage suppliers to deliver to more overseas locations
• Pre-election meetings with electoral commissions around timelines for postal voting. Due to current time constraints for distribution and receipt of ballot papers, it is not always possible to reach some locations. If going overseas, ensure you register as a Service voter (if eligible) here https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote-armed-forces To avoid potential delays with post, you are strongly advised to use a proxy vote rather than a postal vote. If you have a question or wish to report an issue relating to anything in the article, please get in touch by completing our contact us form www.raf-ff.org.uk/contact, or scanning this QR code.
If you’re reading Envoy, then there’s a better-than-average chance that you or a close family member are a member of the RAF. Read on, because maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day and for the rest of your career, you might find it useful.
Did you know about the specialist and confidential support available for the RAF community from the RAF Personal Support and Social Work Service (RAF PS&SWS), run by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity?
No? Well, let us explain how it can help you in times of need:
RAF PS&SWS has been operating since 1990. If you haven’t needed welfare support in the last 24 years then it’s quite possible you don’t know that the service supports the whole RAF family including the person behind the uniform – Regular and Reserves – and their loved ones. It will help anyway it can, confidentially and independent of the chain of command.
The breadth of support it gives covers issues such as mental health, difficult relationships, bereavement, domestic abuse, financial and costof-living concerns, resettlement, housing, childcare, equality issues, bereavement, military discharge and deployments. If you or a loved one ever finds yourself needing help outside of the list above, we urge you to still get in touch so we can support you through your journey.
The RAF PS&SWS has sat with SSAFA since it was launched 34 years ago. However, SSAFA hasn’t sat still in its ability to change and adapt to the modern RAF world, making access for support even easier than it was before.
After being successful in its bid to continue RAF PS&SWS, SSAFA worked tirelessly to launch a modernised service has enhanced its support capabilities to the RAF to meet the challenges its personnel face today.
The new service has made it easier to contact its team of welfare officers via WhatsApp or Live Chat. These dedicated and experienced professionals can also be called on the service’s helpline, emailed, or found on most RAF stations. Here’s how to get in touch:
Talk to us now: Live Chat at ssafa.org.uk/raf
WhatsApp: +442037690808
Facebook: facebook.com/ssafarafpssws
Email: psswsraf@ssafa-fhs.org.uk
Call: 0800 058 4690 (UK callers) +44 20 4570 3939 (Overseas callers)
In-person: at most RAF stations
However you contact RAF PS&SWS, what remains the same is that it provides a safe space for you to get anything off your chest. There’s no judgement; the welfare officers treat everyone with respect, whatever you tell them.
Or if you’re after more practical support, then the team will work with you to put a plan of action in place, making sure you have everything you need to take control of your situation.
Remember that whatever your rank, whatever you’re facing, the RAF PS&SWS has got your back.
On June 6th, 2024, 27 schools convened at Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln, for the Lincolnshire Festival of Friends, celebrating projects aimed at enhancing the lives of Service Pupils. This event, supported by Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and funded by LiNCHigher and the Armed Forces Education Trust (AFET), showcased initiatives from over 35 schools involved in the project.
Schools received specialised training through the Service Children’s Progression Alliance (SCiP) Thriving Lives Toolkit, delivered by education consultant Matt Blyton. This training enabled schools to implement tailored support projects for Service Pupils. The project provided a platform for sharing best practices and fostering community among educators and students.
Projects included a peer-mentoring programme pairing KS3 Service Pupils with primary students, promoting support networks and leadership skills. Extracurricular activities, such as arts and sports programs, focused on building resilience and
emotional wellbeing, helping Service Pupils navigate challenges like relocations and family separations.
The festival highlighted community engagement's role in supporting Service Pupils. Schools collaborated with local military bases, veteran organisations, and community groups to create an inclusive environment. This approach strengthened relationships between schools and the community, ensuring ongoing support for Service Pupils. Future plans include expanding the Thriving Lives Toolkit and developing additional resources to address the evolving needs of Service Pupils. Schools are committed to continuing innovative support strategies to ensure Service Pupils thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
The Lincolnshire Festival of Friends marked a significant milestone, showcasing efforts to enhance Service Pupils' educational experiences. Through targeted projects, specialised training, and community collaboration, the initiative has improved Service Pupils' lives and enriched Lincolnshire's educational landscape. The festival's growth promises continued innovation and support for Service Pupils in the future.
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Surrounded by the picturesque Suffolk countryside and serene private woodland, our boarders enjoy a safe and idyllic environment that fosters lifelong friendships. Our dedicated boarding staff is committed to holistic development, ensuring a perfect balance between academic excellence and opportunities to explore personal passions.
During the month of April, we celebrated international Month of the Military Child (MotMC), giving us a wonderful opportunity to recognise Service children / young people.
It was fantastic to see schools, local authorities and SSCE Cymru network members across Wales take this opportunity to celebrate Service children, taking the time to express our appreciation for their unique lifestyle and thank them for their sacrifices. This years’ Month of the Military
Child celebrations included activities such as assemblies, dandelion artwork, creative writing sessions, Armed Forces themed physical activities, wheelchair rugby with Veterans and lots of purple for ‘Purple up’ day.
SSCE Cymru celebrated MotMC this year with the launch of our NEW highly anticipated on-demand, bi-lingual e-learning training package. Funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, this training has been designed to give educators the tools and confidence to understand and support the needs of Service children within their education settings in Wales. The training can be accessed by anyone who would like to learn more about supporting Service children within education. For more information please visit bit.ly/SSCECymruelearning
What a fantastic month it was, we look forward to celebrating Month of the Military Child 2025! Should your children's school take the opportunity to celebrate Service children at any point throughout the academic year, we would love to hear from them and include them in the SSCE Cymru journal here: bit.ly/SSCECymruJournal www.SSCECymru.co.uk
By | Paul Fox, Regional Manager SW, MaPS
Credit can help you manage your money – whether you’re looking to cover planned expenses or need to meet unexpected costs. The vast majority of us will use some form of credit at various points in life, but it’s really important to use it in the right way. There are many different channels of credit, and they all have a similar purpose.
So exactly what is credit? Credit is an agreement between a lender and a borrower that allows the borrower to obtain funds, goods or services now and repay them later. (Experian, 2024) Different credit products work in different ways but it is always important to think about the basics.
• Interest rates - the amount of interest you will pay back is usually calculated as a percentage of the money you borrow, and the higher the interest rate, the more expensive it is to borrow.
• Credit limit - an agreed amount that you can borrow up to on products like credit cards, arranged overdrafts and store cards. Surpassing your credit limit could lead to additional fees, and it might also impact your credit score.
• Credit score - There are three credit reference agencies, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and they all hold information on you which lenders use. Small errors can cause you problems, so it's really important you regularly check through your credit report.
• Make regular payments - the most common way to pay back credit is with monthly payments. It is vital to make payments on time to avoid extra fees or charges. Making late payments could impact negatively on your ability to access credit in the future.
Helpful Tip
Did you know you can check your credit score for free?
Money Saving Expert has you covered, find out how here; www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/check-free-credit-report/
• Other costs - There might be other fees and charges for accessing credit, not just the interest rate. There may be an annual fee, or charges for any late or missed payments. Some credit cards may also charge you if you withdraw cash or use the card abroad.
Helpful Tip
If you need to access credit, our great free tool helps you find the different options available – including credit cards, loans, salary advances and many more.
www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/credit/ options-for-borrowing-money
We know that using credit can be very useful, but it can cause problems and potentially debt if you are struggling to keep up repayments. So, how do you make borrowing work best for you? By understanding the cost of your borrowing, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal and can make all the repayments.
There are some important questions you need to ask yourself before you borrow money. For example, can you wait until you have enough money without borrowing? And could you afford to pay it back if you did borrow the money. If you tend to be impulsive when buying things, try giving yourself a cooling off period of at least a couple of days. When you’ve had a chance to think about it, you might change your mind.
Warning – beware of high cost credit
If you have a poor credit score, you might be tempted to use a payday loan company for example. Before signing up for a payday loan or any other type of high-cost borrowing, make sure you’ve explored all possible alternatives.
Warning – look out for loan sharks
Loan sharks often use online channels like social media to try and lend to people. This kind of lending is illegal and it could cost you a lot more than you think.
If you’re buying online, paying in a shop or even ordering a takeaway these days, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) can seem like a quick and easy way to pay. But BNPL is a form of borrowing so you need to think carefully before using it, especially if you’re spending more than you can afford to pay back. BNPL products are credit products, just like any other loan, so again please think carefully before using it. BNPL can be a useful way to spread the cost of purchases if you use it carefully and can afford the repayments.
“This form of unregulated interest-free credit … enjoyed explosive growth during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly among the under-30s and those with tight finances.”
(The Guardian, 2022)
Some retailers encourage people to choose BNPL over other ways of paying by making it the default payment option or offering an incentive, such as a discount or free delivery. But it’s important to give yourself enough time to think about how you’ll repay, and decide if BNPL works for you. Having lots of BNPL agreements of small amounts can start to build up, and . As well as checking you can afford all repayments on top of any other bills, make sure you keep track of when every payment is due.
According to the Financial Conduct Authority, people who use BNPL services were over four times as likely to have missed a payment of a bill or credit commitment in 2022. This shows that whilst easily accessible, this form of credit can lead to you spending more than you can afford, possibly resulting in problem debt.
And Finally …
We often make purchases in this country without allowing ourselves enough time to think them through thoroughly. Credit can be a valuable resource, we know that, but make sure you consider any form of borrowing within the context of your wider financial situation and circumstances.
Helpful Tip
The Government’s Money and Pensions Service can support all RAF families who need it with free, independent and impartial money and pensions guidance. We exist to help you and your families whatever your money questions or concerns.
www.moneyhelper.org.uk
0800 138 7777
In a nutshell:
You may be leaving service with a preserved/ deferred pension or have joined quite recently and be considering transferring your benefits. In this short item Mary Petley of the Forces Pension Society outlines the transfer rules and issues to consider.
• Deferred/preserved pensions may be transferred out. Once in payment, they may not be transferred out.
• Those who serve more than 3 months but less than 2 years have 6 months from leaving the Armed Forces to apply for the pension value to be transferred to another Defined Benefit (DB) scheme.
• Benefits may not be transferred to an overseas scheme or a Defined Contribution scheme.
• Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) benefits may be transferred out until one year before the age at which they are due to be paid. Other DB schemes may also have time limitations for transfer, so do check.
• Benefits may be transferred into AFPS 15 within 12 months of joining the Armed Forces.
The process is straightforward:
• Write to the scheme which holds your pension asking for a ‘statement of entitlement’ to obtain the valuation.
• Ask your new scheme administrator what this value will buy in their scheme.
• If you decide to go ahead, apply for the transfer value payment, specifying the scheme to which it should be made. This agreement is irreversible, and you will have no residual rights or benefits in your old scheme.
In reaching your transfer decision, you need to consider such things as the age at which benefits are payable in your new
scheme, the indexation arrangements and ill health/family benefits. As an example of what I mean, consider that for public sector pension schemes the Normal Pension Age (NPA) and the deferred pension age is the member’s State Pension Age (SPA) – the exceptions are the Police, Fire and Rescue schemes, and AFPS 15 which have an NPA of 60 (the deferred pension age is the member’s SPA). If AFPS 75 benefits (payable at age 60 or 65) were transferred, the member could wait up to 8 years longer to enjoy them and an AFPS 05 member could wait 3 years for their benefits normally payable at age 65. Remember, you can claim your preserved/deferred AFPS benefits whilst still working.
We are NOT saying that it is always wrong to transfer out of an AFPS – it is not. We just ask that you understand all the implications before doing so – you will find further information in MMP/129 which is available on the internet.
Finally, a little good news for those with deferred AFPS 15 benefits. If you take up public sector employment within 5 years of leaving the Armed Forces, you will automatically qualify for benefits in your new scheme because of the continuity rule – and you do so without transferring AFPS benefits.
If you are a Member of the Forces Pension Society and have pensions questions, please contact us via ‘Submit a Question’ in the Members’ area on the website.
If you are not a Member but would like to know more about us, visit www.forcespensionsociety.org
Have you engaged with the Service Complaints process?
Were you a Complainant or Respondent? An Assisting Officer or investigator? Were you part of a Decision Body? How was the process for you?
Scan me to fill out the survey now
Have your say by filling in the SCOAF Service Complaints User Feedback survey
By | Nerys Bell BEM, Head RAF HIVE Service
This year, HIVE is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of dedicated support to the Service community. Since the opening of the first location in Hohne, Germany, in 1984, HIVE has made significant strides in providing essential services.
The celebrations commenced with a 40th Anniversary Launch Event held in June at the MOD Main Building in London. Army HIVE, RAF HIVE, and Royal Navy Family & People Support (formerly RN HIVE) hosted guests from across the MOD and external stakeholders.
new photos, as well as customer anecdotes from over the 40 years.
Head of Army HIVE, Nikki Peterson, reflected on HIVE’s journey: “I have had the pleasure of working for HIVE for almost 20 years and was involved even longer as a customer during my time in service and as an Army spouse.
The audience was treated to a video showcasing HIVE’s history, created by Chris Keen of Totally Keen Creative (www.totallykeen.com), featuring old and
“Over the past 40 years, HIVE has supported the military community in many ways. Our information delivery is centred around our network of local information centres located worldwide, providing valuable face-to-face support. Equally important are our various online platforms, our ability to support outreach through unit and community events, our remote international HIVE service, and much more for our customers.”
VIP guest Air Commodore Wendy Rothery also spoke at the event: “I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has been involved with the HIVE over the past 40 years. Thanks to them, accurate, reliable, and most importantly, trusted information has reached our people when they needed it most. From helping Service families prepare for an overseas move, supporting our community during operational deployments, to signposting specialist support agencies.”
The event also featured an array of cakes on sale to kick-start the 40th Anniversary fundraising for HIVE’s chosen charity partners –Celebrating Forces Families (www.celebratingforcesfamilies.co.uk) and operationchristmasbox.org. The showpiece anniversary cake was kindly provided by the Queen's Gurkha Engineers catering team, based in Maidstone.
HIVE is proud to continue as the MOD’s primary information provider, supporting the Service community for 40 years. The ethos of our volunteer founders in Germany remains at the core of what HIVE still do today – providing the right information and support, right when it’s most needed, from a trusted Defence organisation.
Watch out for more news on our local HIVE 40th Anniversary events, being held over the next few months. If you want to find out about events near you, please get in touch. https:// www.raf.mod.uk/community-support/serving-families/ hive-finder/, alternately contact the RAF HIVE management team by emailing Air-People-PFSpt-HIVEMlbx@mod.gov.uk who can provide details of your nearest HIVE service.
The name has changed, the aim is the same
RAF Community Support was renamed RAF People and Families Support during the restructure of Director People’s area in April 24. As detailed in the Foreword, Air Cdre Chris Todd is the Head of People & Families Support, and oversees all welfare support, people and family support, and community development. Our aim is to support all serving personnel and families to have a positive lived experience during their time with the RAF.
Every year each station produces a Community Needs Analysis (CNA), co-ordinated by the Community Development Officer (CDO) on behalf of the station, which identifies the key issues to be addressed and the top priorities for funding over the next 12 months. The data is gathered via various sources, including consultation through focus groups and surveys to try and ensure we capture everybody’s views.
You said, we did!
Here is a snapshot of some of the things that have been achieved over the last 12 months:
• Development of an outdoor wellness area at RAF Leeming
• Community Centre enhancement at RAF Wyton
• Soft play upgrade at RAF Cranwell
• Refurbishment and redecoration of contact houses at RAF High Wycombe
• Funding for RAF BF Stay & Play sessions for projects across 12 stations
• Funding secured for a Family Support Worker (Additional Needs) at Benson
• Airplay delivery at 25 projects – over 2900 children and young people attending sessions
• Youth residential breaks – over 300 places made available for children and young people to attend
• 7 new nursery contracts awarded and over £840k funding secured to invest in our childcare settings
• Regular high quality, consistent, accessible, front-facing community support activities being delivered across many of our stations
One of the consistent topics raised in the CNA is around communication and how we can better communicate with serving personnel and families. This is always a challenge, but there is plenty of excellent work being undertaken across our stations:
• Dispersed families project – over the summer three outreach events were held to specifically target dispersed families and to provide them with an opportunity to engage with us and share how we can best support them
• People & Families Support communications trial – see further details from HIVE below
• Benson – Korbyt information screens and community support app up and running
• High Wycombe, Odiham and Waddington – delivering community support to outlying SFA sites
• Henlow – all personnel encouraged to join station group at the arrivals brief & QR code shared to group and included within SFA arrival packs
We are keen to share best practice and are always open to new ideas of how we can improve our communication. Please let us know if you have any thoughts or suggestions by emailing: air-people-pfspt-comdev-mlbx@mod.gov.uk
Thank you to all CDO’s, HIO’s, SCSO’s and wider members of the community support teams for their amazing work in supporting our serving personnel and their families.
Jenny Withers, Chief Community Development Advisor (CCDA)
The network of RAF HIVEs serves as a vital point of contact for Service personnel and their families, whether they live on or away from the unit.
HIVEs are the focal point in providing an extensive range of information and support services, covering areas such as relocation, accommodation, deployment support, health and wellbeing, employment and training opportunities, early years and education. They play a crucial role in supporting our people and their families by offering timely and accurate information and assistance.
Effective communication within the RAF is vital for operational success and the well-being of our people. Recognising this, we have embarked on a series of initiatives aimed at improving how we engage with our community. This article highlights innovative trials currently taking place at two RAF units, demonstrating our commitment to keeping everyone informed and connected.
Observations from early trial outputs has been the importance of flexibility in communication methods, the value of real-time updates, and the benefits of combining digital tools with personal interactions.
Moving forward, these lessons will guide the implementation of communication strategies across other RAF units. The goal is to create a seamless communication experience that keeps personnel informed. These efforts reflect our commitment to fostering a strong, informed, and connected RAF community.
Badminton School Bristol Weekly, Flexi & Full Boarding available Book a private visit at a time convenient to you
Defence has launched a new booklet for Reservists, and their families, on the benefits and support available. This includes financial discounts, healthcare, and career support, and is available online here https://bit.ly/RAFResBen
Did you know that of the 190,170 total serving military personnel in the British Armed Forces, 18% of them are Reservists? This means that the Reserve Forces make up approximately one sixth of Armed Forces personnel.
Reservists make a critical contribution in the Armed Forces and are integral to protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas. Keep reading to find out more about what Reservists do, and how they make a positive impact in the Armed forces.
Do you know what support and benefits are available?
The new booklet outlines key benefits, services, and support for
• Information and support services.
• Military and financial discounts, childcare, and other family friendly policies.
• Career and employment support.
Announcing the new booklet, Alistair Carns MP MC OBE, Defence Minister for Veterans and People, said: “Our Reserve Forces are an integral and valued part of the Armed Forces Community. Their hard work and dedication is essential to national security and enables us to be operationally effective no matter the situation.
“It is essential that we support our people and their families as they navigate the challenges of service life. Whether it’s support with childcare, medical needs or financial advice– there’s a wide range of benefits and support in place to help our Reservists and their families.
“Today, I’m delighted to share our new MOD booklet for the Reserve community, which signposts the help available, and how to access it. This will allow more of our community to live in a way that best suits their needs.”
Members of the Reserve Forces can be called upon in times of crisis to support military operations and humanitarian efforts, globally. This includes supporting with peacekeeping missions, helping people during natural disasters, and preventing terrorism all over the world.
There are hundreds of different roles in the Reserve Forces, ranging from musicians and dog handlers to military service. To find out more about RAF Reserves, visit https://bit.ly/RAFResQA
Reserve service can take a number of different forms and commitment types. Whatever your role and commitment type, you – and your family – are entitled to a variety of benefits and support. To find out what they are, read https://bit.ly/RAFResBen
For more information about Reserves, scan this code
Support and benefits for Reservists and their families
August 2024
Sometimes we all need a break. A chance to spend time with family and friends, to unwind in comfort, and to visit the beautiful places that mean the most to us.
If you’re looking to plan your next break, the RAF Association offer affordable and exclusive holidays for couples, groups, and families at three prime locations across the country –Hemsby in Norfolk, Selsey in West Sussex and Dunbar in Scotland.
Much of our accommodation has been funded and is maintained by branches and RAF Association members, which enables us to offer such affordable holidays while remaining a viable, cost-effective option for the charity.
RAF Association holidays are open to members of the RAF community - serving personnel, veterans, or spouse, widow/er, or dependent of someone who has served.
Find out more at: www.rafa.org.uk/get-support/holiday-breaks
Co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 11-18, situated near Oxfordshire’s Henley-on-Thames, every pupil is placed at the heart of Shiplake life and the College’s ethos is underpinned by the Three Is - Inclusive, Individual and Inspirational Flexi, weekly and full boarding available from Year 9
20% off fees to members of the Armed Forces
From the all-round education set within outstanding facilities and grounds to the excellent pastoral care; there are many reasons why you should consider the Duke of York’s Royal Military School, says Principal Alex Foreman.
From the moment you enter the 150-acre Kentish parkland estate, you will be amazed by the profound emphasis placed on pastoral care, designed to create a secure and nurturing environment, allowing students to focus on their academic pursuits while feeling supported, valued, and part of a caring community.
Accoladed with two SSAT Educational Outcomes Awards, the school consistently exceeds national GCSE progress figures, high A Level and BTEC results, and students move onto outstanding destinations. Recently, outstanding A Level results include Dara Boyejo A*, A*, A, A to read Medicine at Queen Mary University of London, Lia Gurung A*, A, A to read Pharmacology at University of Liverpool, and Joanna Bowtell A*, A, C who moves onto Cambridge University to read Geography.
The school’s exceptional facilities, including an Olympic-standard athletics track, a state-ofthe-art sports centre, and a recent £24.9 million refurbishment project, showcase its dedication to providing an outstanding educational environment. Beyond the classroom, the Duke of York’s Royal Military School distinguishes itself through its unique approach to an all-round education, maintaining small class sizes and fostering an active lifestyle.
The pastoral care at the school is delivered by a dedicated pastoral team, comprising Houseparents, academic tutors, and matrons, ensuring that students receive academic, social and personal support. With over 200 students from Forces Families, students find a sense of belonging and camaraderie within each House and experienced staff ensure students feel at home.
The school’s commitment to student wellbeing extends to its outstanding medical facilities, providing comprehensive healthcare resources and access to nurses and GP services.
The availability of Wi-Fi throughout the school, coupled with regular exeat weekends (although the school remains open for students who wish to stay on-site), facilitates communication, allowing students to stay connected with their families—a crucial element in creating a home-from-home environment.
Fundamentally, the Duke of York’s Royal Military School creates an environment where students thrive academically, develop enduring friendships, and experience the supportive embrace of a close-knit family. Students leave the school with elevated grades onto fantastic destinations including Russell Group universities, professional apprenticeships and employment.
at www.doyrms.com.
By | The Revd Dr [Sqn Ldr] Chris Hodder
As the summer moves into the autumn there are a number of moments where we remember those who went before us.
Battle of Britain Sunday and Remembrance Day are national moments where we pause in a busy world to remember the actions, bravery, and sacrifice of previous generations. We stand in solidarity with the victims of war, and pray for future peace in moments that unite people of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds whilst at the same time being deeply personal.
Physically, places like St Clement Danes, the Central Church of the RAF, or National Memorial Arboretum exist to ensure that those who have served and sacrificed are never forgotten, that the baton of Remembrance is passed on through the generations, and that there are year-round spaces to celebrate lives lived and commemorate lives lost. Both are well worth a visit if you have never been, whether via FD or in a private capacity.
George VI In 1947, with the first Colour presented on His Majesty’s behalf in 1951 by the then Princess Elizabeth.
The Colour is of RAF light blue silk, with light blue and silver tassels and fringe.
Similarly, our colours and standards are also physical reminders of both who and what we represent, and those who have served before us.
The King’s Colour for the Royal Air Force was first approved by King
Last year His Majesty The King, presented new Standards and Colours to the Royal Navy, the Life Guards of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, The King’s Company of the Grenadier Guards and The King’s Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force at Buckingham Palace. Although the nature of modern air power means we don’t carry them on the battlefield in the way in which armies of old would have done, their presence and symbolic use at particular times and places remind us of our connection to something bigger than ourselves. We stand on the shoulders of giants and our role is to ensure that what we hand on is (hopefully) better and more fit for purpose than it was before.
Remembering colleagues is poignant and sometimes difficult, but important not only in honouring their memory, but also ensuring that the ethos and character of the RAF stays true to its purpose. Remembering the impact of service life on people, and keeping the main thing the main thing is important in a complex, changing world. A service can evolve without losing its soul, but only if it keeps its history and purpose clearly in view – those who fail to learn from history doomed to keep on repeating the same mistakes in the future.
Here at Babcock we provide critical services to both civil and defence sectors, providing you with a career full of variety and opportunity. In defence, you can be part of teams delivering essential training, engineering support, and air station operations to militaries across Europe. Whilst on the civilian side, you’ll help to provide emergency air services, including air ambulance, search and rescue, and firefighting operations.
We know that in your military career you have been committed to helping create a safe and secure world too. That’s why we’d like to hear from you. The skills and experience you have gained during your Service could find a perfect home here at Babcock.
Every year hundreds of service leavers start or continue their civilian career with us, and we take pride in providing them with the support they need to enjoy a rewarding career. And with roles available across the UK we can help you make the transition too.
Babcock offers many benefits to Service Leavers and Reservists, including:
Guaranteed interview as long as you meet the minimum requirements for the role
Up to 10 days of special paid leave for reservist duties
Training
Career opportunities and progression
Our commitment
Employee Share Ownership Scheme
Occupational Health Services
Salary Sacrifice benefits e.g. childcare vouchers; cycle to work scheme
With a variety of vacancies across the UK, Babcock has challenging and rewarding opportunities waiting for you.
Our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) has been recognised with a Gold Award from the AFC’s Employer Recognition Scheme
If you are considering a new career then visit our website and register to receive job adverts at https://jobs.babcockinternational.com/talentcommunity/subscribe or email: armedforcescareers@babcockinternational.com for more information.
and he jumped right into looking at it. He loved reading Billie's Buzz with his big sister and me. Gabriel's favourite part was at the end, because not only did Billie get the prizes but she got a new best friend too. Thank you for posting the book to Gabriel. This was a lovely little surprise for him, and he is
For this Autumn’s Book Corner we asked RAF kids to tell us what they think of Billie’s Buzz by Alison Brown, paperback, price £7.99.
We enjoyed reading the story. They both enjoyed finding different things in the illustrations which have lots of details. The story made them giggle and it's a nice story for the age group with some important messages. Arthur was curious to know more about why some people don't like bees. We explored the garden looking for bees after reading the story and noticed lots of different types of bees. They are both really interested in insects, and this is a lovely addition to their bookshelf.
We post you books to share and chat about. We’ll send a scrapbook and book for children aged 0-10, and a teen journal and book for young people aged 11+. Families say doing Reading Force is a good way to stay close, connected, and to keep communicating. Best of all, it’s fun! To receive your free teen journal or scrapbook and book go to the family page on the Reading Force website and register online: www.readingforce.org.uk
If your children would like to review books for this Envoy & Reading Force Book Corner, please get in touch with Hattie - hattie@readingforce.org.uk - with your children’s names and ages.
To win any of these prizes, simply follow the instructions below... Good luck!
Our friends at Rewards for Forces are offering eight £25 vouchers to lucky Envoy readers (one per winner, to be spent at a variety of their ‘gold box’ retailers).
To be in with a chance of winning one of these £25 vouchers, email enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk, putting 'AUTUMN Envoy Rewards for Forces’ in the subject line, followed by your name and address in the body of the email.
Rewards for Forces is a National Rewards Scheme for RAF personnel and families, with numerous offers from supermarkets, restaurants, and high street retailers, including Apple, EE, BT, Hello Fresh, Holiday Extras and many more.
FREE to sign up for, initially use your work email, ID or pension details for verification. This will then be deleted once application is complete. Search ‘Rewards for forces’ or visit www.rewardsforforces.co.uk for more information, or scan the QR Code.
Thanks to Annington Trust, we have five Amazon gift vouchers to the value of £20 to give away to our readers. Win one of these vouchers and treat yourself to something nice. Don’t forget to let us know what you spent your money on!
To be in with a chance of winning one of these vouchers, email enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk, putting ‘AUTUMN Envoy Voucher Prize’ in the subject line, followed by your name and address in the body of the email.
The prize draws are available for all readers of Envoy to enter, except employees and family members of the RAF Families Federation, The RAAF Association, publishers, printers and anyone connected with the competition(s). Only one entry per household/email per prize. Your
any other organisations, and will be deleted once the draw has
will not be
The
date
Military families are no strangers to frequent relocations and unpredictable schedules, but they know these can take a toll on their child’s education. Every time you move to a new area within the UK or different country, your child has to start fresh at a new school, meet new teachers, make new friends, and learn a completely different curriculum with unique demands.
Adapting to an unfamiliar environment is never easy. Plus, this repeated cycle of new beginnings takes your child’s attention away from learning and simply enjoying this special time in their lives, where so much growth and change takes place.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. With over 20 years of experience pioneering online education, King’s InterHigh offers students aged 7 to 19 a flexible and inclusive way to learn. Here’s what makes our school different:
1. Take school wherever you go
No matter where you are based, or where you need to move to next, King’s InterHigh offers a fully online education that travels with you wherever you go. Our online classes and platform mean that your child’s education remains uninterrupted, regardless of your family’s location and time zone. All you need is a laptop and Wi-Fi to access your live lessons and materials. Making new friends won’t be a problem either, as we have a truly global community of students across the globe who you can connect with virtually and via in-person events.
2. Cost-effective private education
Quality education shouldn’t break the bank. King’s InterHigh offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional private schools, delivering the same high standards you expect from a top-tier institution, just fully online. Our comprehensive British curriculum mirrors that of physical schools, and, being part of the Inspired Education Group, we adhere to the same rigorous standards as our sister schools worldwide.
Every child is unique, and so is their learning journey. At King’s InterHigh, every lesson is recorded so that students can revise and learn at their own pace. If they need to miss class due to a personal appointment, they can watch the lesson recording at a more convenient time of the day to ensure there are no learning gaps. There is 24/7 access to our lesson library and other class materials. Plus, we offer a choice of three timetables (UK, Middle East, and Southeast Asia), so students can learn at the time of the day that is most convenient for them. Regardless of their choice, they are taught the same high-quality British curriculum across timetables to ensure consistency in education.
4. Innovative technology
As pioneers in online education, we leverage advanced technologies to enhance the learning experience and keep students engaged and motivated. Aside from our live, interactive lessons, we use our very own InspiredAI to create personalised learning pathways and leverage Virtual Reality to develop immersive environments. In these immersive lessons, our students can collaborate in group projects, test their knowledge, and participate in fun educational activities to consolidate learnings.
King’s InterHigh helps students become more independent and self-sufficient. Though our platform offers various tools to aid organisation, such as dynamic to-do lists, we encourage students to take responsibility for their learnings, ultimately empowering them to become independent, well-rounded individuals. Our career guidance team is available to discuss their goals and needs, so they are ready to confidently enter the world of work when the time comes. We were also the chosen partner of IB to launch the first fully online IB Diploma Programme and offer this world-renowned qualification to young people across the globe.
King’s InterHigh offers a highly flexible yet consistent educational environment that perfectly aligns with the needs of military families. With our innovative technology, personalised learning approach, and commitment to preparing students for future success, we are the ideal choice for military families seeking a world-class education. If you want to learn more about King’s InterHigh or enrol your child, book a call with our friendly Admissions team.
King’s InterHigh is the UK’s leading online school, bringing your children a consistent, world-class private education without the premium cost, no matter where you are in the world.
What you get with King’s InterHigh:
Complete British Curriculum for ages 7-19, taught by expert teachers
Support for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Enrol now for quality education, wherever your service takes you. www.kingsinterhigh.co.uk
Interactive live lessons plus lesson recordings so students never miss a thing
First school to offer IGCSE examinations online
Offering IGCSEs, A Levels and the world’s first IB Diploma online
After school virtual clubs, family meetups and school trips
Veterans are eight times more likely to be affected by gambling harm.
“Contacting GamCare felt like a huge step, and it was the best step I could have taken. The GamCare adviser talked to me as an equal and instantly put me at ease. I knew then that I would have the support I needed to get through this.” Serving member of the Armed Forces www.gamcare.org.uk/armed-forces-project
The moment you chose to serve in the Royal Air Force, you became part of something much bigger. A family like no other – for over 100 years we have been ready to protect those we cherish most. Especially, one another.
After looking after your loved ones, would you consider leaving a gift in your Will to the RAF Benevolent Fund? To be part of the heart of the RAF Family by giving its people the support they need, when they need it. Everything from confidential counselling to mobility aids as well as support for injuries, illness and bereavement.
