Envoy - Spring 2024

CONTENTS

Welcome from the Editor

Welcome to the Spring edition of Envoy.

It’s far too late to wish all Envoy readers a Happy New Year, but we hope the first few weeks and months of 2024 have been good to you all.

The RAF Families Federation has been incredibly busy over the Winter, dealing with a multitude of incoming calls and cases that personnel and families needed support with, or advice on. When the weather wasn’t great we did get a higher level of calls regarding issues with SFA and SLA, and our specialist team have dealt with them superbly. That’s not to say other members of our team have been quiet. Quite the opposite in fact. You’ll be heartened to know that we’ve all been out and about meeting and engaging with the RAF Family all over the UK and further afield – remember, we’re here for all Serving personnel, whether married, in a relationship, or single!

It’s been great for me personally to engage with you all on my travels as it helps give me an idea as to what we need to provide for you in the pages of ENVOY; whether it be informative, insightful, supportive or entertaining.

We hope that in the following pages you will find something that ticks one or more of those boxes. Please do get in touch if you think we can support or highlight something important to you, that might also be important to our RAF family. We’re here for you all, and we’re here to help.

Telephone: 01780 781650

email: enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk

Website: raf-ff.org.uk

Envoy – The magazine of the RAF Families 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

Digital Marketing Officer: Jade Coe

Engagement & Outreach: Ian Todd

Communications Assistant: Nick Crouch

Policy and Evidence Manager:

Vanessa Plumley MBE

Policy Advisor (Health & Additional Needs):

Caz Evans

Policy Advisor (Education & Childcare):

Alexandra Stokes

Policy Advisor (Partner Employment & Overseas): Sue Gee

Accommodation Specialists: Stan Brathwaite and Mark Hayhurst

Evidence Officer: Wendy Drysdale

Published quarterly by Method Publishing, a division of Highland News and Media, on behalf of Envoy

Design and Typography:

© Method Publishing 2024

Editorial Matter and Illustrations: © Envoy

Printed in Great Britain by: Warners Midlands plc

Advertisement Office (UK): Method Publishing, 64 Main Street, Golspie, Sutherland, KW10 6TG

Contact Chris Cappie on 01463 732223 or email c.cappie@methodpublishing.co.uk

The RAF Families Federation

The RAF Families Federation is supported by the RAF Benevolent

Cover Photo: OC RAF Falcons Flt Lt Jen Littler at work. Credit: RAF Falcons

This Spring sees some of the biggest changes to how service accommodation is allocated and charged in decades. The New Accommodation Offer is due to go live, changing eligibility to types of accommodation in a number of ways –including meaning those in registered long-term relationships will now be entitled (not just eligible) to access accommodation.

What does this mean for you? It will entirely depend on what use you make of military accommodation – but it is likely to impact on nearly all serving personnel and families at some point. For example, even if you own and live in your property, the way you access and pay for Single Living Accommodation (if you choose to maintain a family home and commute weekly) may well change.

It is important that everyone is aware of these changes and takes time to

Directo r FROM THE Contact the RAFFF

Telephone us on: 01780 781650

Contact us for help: www.raf-ff.org.uk/report-an-issue-form

understand the impact – all the headlines and links can be found on our website, including details of who to contact with questions. If you feel that there are aspects of the policy that concern you, then please let us know.

These big changes are just one reason (among many…) to make sure your details on JPA are up to date. It isn’t anyone's favourite job, but a whole range of information in JPA can become really important in different ways – for example, a relationship not registered there means SFA becomes inaccessible. And in the very worst-case scenarios, contacting those important to you can be made much more difficult. It is absolutely worth checking your information…

Maria

For general queries, magazine article information: enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk

FOREWORD

By | RAF Wittering Station Commander, Wing Commander Nikki Duncan MA

NOW A YEAR INTO MY ROLE AS RAF WITTERING STATION COMMANDER, HAVING THE ADVANTAGE OF THE RAF FAMILIES FEDERATION ON OUR DOORSTEP HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE BLESSING, AND ONE THAT I AM GRATEFUL OF.

Given they reside in one of our surplus SFA, the ability to drop in for a coffee to get the low down on what they are working on, to the benefit of our service personnel and their families is priceless.

The cost-of-living crisis and the concern for our community is one such time where we have had the Families Federation intrinsically involved in what we can do and offer to help our service personnel and their families. They attended various meetings with our Station Welfare and Community Support Teams, and we worked together to produce an action plan that had key deliverables to help our community.

Knowing if what we collectively did had a tangible benefit is the hard bit – nobody ever really reports back when something has worked, or if they got the help they received.

We also have the luxury of the Families Federation attending our Station arrival events. We changed these some months ago to give them more of a freshers’ fayre feel, and having the Families Federation at these events offers people the choice to chat with them and provides an opportunity for everyone to engage over a coffee (yes there is a coffee theme...).

The RAF Families Federation has also supported Wittering by providing funding for our Allotment project. Without their financial support this project would not have been delivered to the standard it has been, or within the timeframe we were working to. Quite simply, the Federation is part of the Wittering Whole Force Community, and we have a lot to be thankful for being based at such a remarkable Station, and having them as our neighbour. It definitely contributes to the ‘awesomeness’ of RAF Wittering and its community.

News IN THE

RAF Central Fund completes merger with RAF Sports Federation

RAF Sport launches into an exciting future as RAF Central Fund completes merger with RAF Sports Federation and 36 RAF Sports Associations.

BFBS Academy opens applications

BFBS Academy Opens Applications for Fully Funded Production Managers Course, Offering Career Transition Support for Service Leavers and Veterans.

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.

Student Loan Overpayment: how to reclaim overpayments

Information to help you understand if you have overpaid your student loan and how to reclaim the money you have overpaid.

RAF initiatives from the Families Continuous Attitude Survey

The tri-service results from the annual families continuous attitude survey (FamCAS) for 2023 were published in July 2023, here are the priorities and initiatives taken forward by the RAF from that survey.

Wrapround Childcare changes reminder

Changes to the Wraparound Childcare system went live on Monday 19 February, all claims and registrations will now be completed in JPA.

New Accommodation Offer Update

New Accommodation Offer Sway website provides updated information on the housing offer.

New guides added: Global Support Organisation overseas guides

The GSO European location guides to be made available on GOV. UK in a move to better utilise existing technology in order to aid communication and the delivery of support.

Tri-Service reserves continuous attitude survey open now: ResCAS 2024

The HQ Air Occupational Psychology Team has announced the RAF ResCAS 2024 survey is open. The survey launched on 10th January 2024 and runs until 2nd April 2024.

SSAFA short breaks scheme 2024 opens

SSAFA’s Short Break scheme caters for serving – including reservist – families who have a child with an additional need or disability - applications for the four 2024 breaks are being accepted.

DIO Accommodation Update: Service Family Accommodation

Here’s the latest update from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation on all things related to those of you living in Service Family Accommodation (SFA).

RAFBF welfare support: Ed Brophy’s story

For 33 years, Ed Brophy paid monthly into the Service Day Pay Giving scheme while serving in the RAF as an Aircraft Engineer, however he never expected that he’d have to reach out to the RAF Benevolent Fund.

How we help: Continuity of Orthodontic Care

How the RAF Families Federation (RAFFF) helped an RAF family continue orthodontic treatment their child started overseas when the family was posted to Scotland.

Personal Contract Purchase considerations for Service personnel

From cases raised with us, we know Service personnel can sometimes experience issues with Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) car finance agreements when moving overseas.

Introduction of NonReligious Pastoral Officers for Armed Forces

The Ministry of Defence has introduced Armed Forces NonReligious Pastoral Officers (NRPO) to further bolster the support given to our Armed Forces.

Armed Forces Covenant and Veterans Annual Report 2023

It sets out the major achievements of the Armed Forces Covenant and the Strategy for our Veterans from Oct 2022 to Sep 2023, and highlights remaining challenges and new commitments moving forward.

Further details on all these stories can be found on

raf-ff.org.uk

Search for the headlines on our website

SSAFA wins contract with RAF to continue provision of welfare service

The contract, which is for an initial five-year period, with the option for a two-year extension by mutual agreement, amounts to more than £20 million over the seven-year period.

Armed Forces Spouse Development programme: 2024

The Armed Forces Spouse Development programme is back for 2024. Information on how this 10 week course could transform your life.

FamCAS 2024 now live

The Families Continuous Attitude survey is open. FamCAS is an annual survey which gives spouses/civil partners of serving RAF personnel the opportunity to provide feedback on RAF life.

How we help: RAF family SEND school placement

How the RAF Families Federation (RAFFF) helped an RAF family when their child’s school informed them they were unable to meet their child’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Armed Forces Families Fund grants improve lives for Service families

The Armed Forces Covenant Trust (the Trust) is delighted to announce new awards made under the Armed Forces Families Fund (AF3) across two grant programmes supporting Forces families.

Veterans ID Cards: How to apply

Thousands of Armed Forces veterans can now apply for their HM Armed Forces Veteran Card following the launch of the service.

General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme

Armed Forces families and Veterans healthcare needs resulting from military service recognised by new GP scheme in Scotland.

New funding ensures the Military Coworking Network is here to stay

The Military Coworking Network (MCN) announces its expansion, enabling continued support to military partners and spouses, enabled by funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund.

What happens when you report an issue to the RAF Families Federation

With permission, facts are captured in our secure database.

1

We represent youinfluencing Parliamentary Committees, Government Departments, Councils and private companies. Your evidence leads to long term, positive change.

444

444

* 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.

2

Anonymised issues from our database, surveys, Station visits and our online Community Forums form our evidence base.

4 4 4 3 4 5

444

444

444

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

4 4

4

‘CHUTE'-ING STAR

Families Federation

Communications Manager Tim Unwin catches up with Officer Commanding of the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team Flight Lieutenant Jen Littler.

Tim Unwin: “We know how busy you are, so thanks for sitting down with us today.”

Jen Littler: “We’ve been very busy. We’ve been away, had a bit of a break over Christmas, and are heading off again soon – this time to California for our display training. The Airborne Delivery Wing (ADW) deliver parachute training all over California, but the team train at ‘Skydive Perris’ – it is a world-class dropzone. We are often training at the same time as the American and Canadian display teams.”

TU: “And you’re in command these days.”

JL: “I handed over from the previous OC in November, so it’s me in the chair now, which is really exciting. Last year I was the drop-zone safety officer, and then this year I will be joining the team within the display”

TU: “Does your job become less fun, less exciting, when you have these extra responsibilities?”

JL: “No, it is such a privilege to be in this position. It definitely helps to be surrounded by such motivated, professional people- it makes my job easy.”

TU: “So how did this journey to The Falcons start out?”

JL: “From a young age I always had a drive and motivation to do exciting things and explore, go traveling. When I finished school, as I had an interest in engineering and maths, I went on to university to study product design, went to Loughborough University. When there I was lucky enough to be a member of the University Air Squadron. I was flying, going on adventures training, I went skiing in Austria, climbing in Malta. I was trying to work out whether I was really interested in flying or the lifestyle that the Air Force offered.”

TU: “I guess that’s a pretty straightforward route in then?”

JL: “I didn't really make that decision by the end of university, it was a huge commitment joining the RAF, so I joined a company

called MBDA. They design and sell missiles for the UK, so worked in a training role for two years with them and just by chance my boss was an Air Force Squadron Leader. She said to me, ‘Jen, you absolutely have to go and join the Air Force. It's an incredible career, even if you do it for a short period of time.

Just go and see what's on offer. So I did. I joined the Air Force, commissioned at RAF Cranwell, went through Training Officer training and came straight over to the Airborne Delivery Wing to train as a Parachute Jump Instructor Officer.”

TU: “So you must have been an experienced parachutist before this point?”

JL: “I hadn't actually jumped before I came to the wing in 2018. But, I was interested in rock climbing, skiing and adventure sports, so I thought it can't be that different. And thankfully, I really enjoyed my first jump.

I think I just knew that that I'd really enjoy it. Having said that, when the door first opened and the cold air rushed in, I thought to myself, ‘Oh my goodness, I think I might have underestimated this!’ But, as soon as I was out of the aircraft, it was absolutely brilliant.”

TU: “Only 2018? So, only six years down the line from your first jump, and you’re OC of the Falcons. That’s quite the progression.

JL: “The time has flown by. The job is so busy here in ADW I spent a year in the Parachute Training School running ab-initio courses for soldiers and worked with specialist airborne forces for three years and then I was then selected to join the team. The purpose of the team is to train military freefall instructors. The parachute jump instructors on the team join towards the start of their career, using the Falcons as a training vehicle, so we do a lot of freefall training when we're overseas. They'll then leave the team as military freefall instructors and go and instruct the airborne forces. So, there is a real training purpose for wider defence from the team.”

TU: “What does a ‘parachute season’ look like for The Falcons?

JL: “We've got some really exciting displays planned. Highlights for us are probably the Cosford Air Show, RIAT and the F1 Silverstone Grand Prix. We've got some really interesting PR opportunities coming up, but that'll be a big surprise across the

season, so you’ll have to keep track of our social media to see those. The season begins at the start of May all the way through to the end of September. Launch day is on the 25th of April at Brize Norton. New for this year at the displays, we've stood up a PR team with our Falcons tent. We've just purchased some virtual reality goggles, so people that stop by will be able to see what it's like to actually be a display parachutist. It's extremely realistic.”

TU: “We cover a lot of the events you’re at, so might have to give it a go when we see you displaying.”

JL: “Please do! We always see the tents exhibiting at the events we display at, and have a lot of conversations with people like yourselves, SSAFA and the Benevolent Fund. We, as a team, are very aware of all the support that is out there for RAF personnel.”

TU: “So, to the layperson, it sounds like your job is one of the most glamorous ones going. Is that the case?”

JL: “It's an awesome job. Everybody on the team is fully aware that it's a privilege to be in this role, but either side of this job, we do work extremely hard as parachute jump instructors, delivering training and supporting operations. We are in a really fortunate position that we're able to go out and meet the general public and showcase what the Air Force has to offer and also encourage people that may be interested in the RAF.”

TU: “Where does your career move from here? After all the excitement and highlights, where do you move on to?”

JL: “Because the Falcons are not just PR to all the training vehicle, this is actually, for most people on the team, the start of a really exciting career going on to deliver parachute training. We could work on the test team, so you'd be the parachutist that's testing reserve parachutes, new equipment, new technologies. There's definitely a lot more to look forward to. It's worth mentioning that it's not just parachute jump instructors on the team. We do have two survival equipment technicians as well. They look after our parachutes or smokes, all of the equipment that we use, they oversee our parachute packing. So, we really put our lives in their hands. They're brilliant. There's a huge level of trust that's required for us all to work together.”

THE FALCONS

The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team are the UK’s premier military parachute display team, based at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, they display at venues all over Britain and Europe throughout the year. They have performed many times for the Royal Family and heads of state and set records and introduced many exciting innovations into formation skydiving.

The Falcons is the only centrally funded, professional, military parachute display team in the UK. Their exciting free fall display, which includes advanced manoeuvres, falling at speeds up to 120mph, and their famous 'hybrid' display which includes the Heart and Crisscross Carousel, which manages to captivate all spectators.

RAF Falcons Social Media

: https://www.instagram.com/raffalcons

: https://www.facebook.com/RAFFalcons

https://twitter.com/RAFFalcons

TU: “Finally, I guess you have to be extremely fit to do your job, but do you pick up injuries?

JL : ”Everybody on the team is also a physical training instructor. They join the Air Force as physical training instructors and then specialise in parachuting. Everybody on the team already has a certain baseline level of fitness, so they should be able to endure two or three years of sports parachuting.

ART OF THE MATTER

Anna Anderson is an artist with a special interest in military aviation whose husband is in the RAF.

While based at RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire, Anna was commissioned to create a painting of a Bristol Blenheim aircraft to hang on the walls of Wyton’s newly refurbished Community Centre.

After some research and help from the Pathfinder Museum, Anna learnt how significant the Blenheim aircraft was during WWII. Piloted by Andrew McPherson, the Bristol Blenheim bomber N6125 of 139 Squadron RAF, was the first British aircraft to cross the German coast after Britain had declared war on Germany.

To pay homage to McPherson and the plane's important history, the Pathfinder Museum helped Anna recreate the plane - from scale models, old photos, paintings and even instructions from the manual on paint colours (there was some contention on what colour Duck Egg was...).

Anna then painted the Blenheim flying over a modern-day entrance of RAF Wyton. By juxtaposing the old and the new, she hopes that people will be able to identify with the scene and be reminded of how RAF Wyton and individuals played an important part in history during WWII.

Gill Angel, Community Development Officer at RAF Wyton says: “In 2023 RAF Wyton Community Support secured £25,000 through the Armed Forces Community Covenant’s NAAFI funding to update the Community

Centre on Station to provide a vibrant facility for the whole force community.

The Community Support Team looked at improving the aesthetic appearance of the Community Centre through purchasing new furniture, a television and sound system, tables and chairs for the inside and outside area. At the same time the Station was going through the process of renaming buildings, capturing the long and proud history of the Station. As part of Project BENNETT and through local consultation, the Community Support Team decided to rename the Community Centre – The Blenheim Community Centre.

The 1939 Bristol Blenheim IV piloted by Fg Off McPherson, flew from RAF Wyton and achieved a historical milestone as the first British aircraft of WWII to carry out an operational (photo reconnaissance) sortie over Germany.

The Team asked Anna Anderson, a local artist, if she would be willing to paint the Blenheim over RAF Wyton. Anna was thrilled to be part of the project and painted the marvellous painting that is now up in the Blenheim Community Centre and is seen by all who visit.

As a result of securing the funding, the Team have managed to deliver several events within the Community Centre which has been very well received by whole force personnel”

For information on the funding behind Wyton’s Community Centre renovations, visit https://covenantfund.org.uk/programme/the-naafi-fund For more details of Anna’s art, visit www.annaandersonart.com

Anna with her painting Photo © Hayley Ward, Photographer, RAF Wyton

Blenheim Community Centre

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Family, Foundations, Future

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BUILDING STRONGER FAMILIES

• It’s our free online platform exclusively for RAF personnel and their partners.

• Covering a range of self-directed topics tailored to life in the RAF.

• The course can be accessed anonymously, either as a couple or separately.

• It aims to equip you with the communication skills and strategies to get the

best out of your relationships.

Find out more and register:

Overseas and Spousal Employment

I chaired an Overseas Community Forum which saw attendees from all over the world, including our guest speaker from the Welfare Team at BDSUS. We discussed the lived experience on a range of topics from Accommodation, Health, Education and Childcare to Allowances and Spousal Employment. The evidence gathered is extremely important to us and some has already been used by our Director, Maria, when she spent a number of hours giving detailed evidence to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body.

I continue to advocate on all matters of spousal employment, and have recently been able to support an RAF spouse to take her current UK role overseas when she accompanies her husband on an overseas posting.

Accommodation

One of the main headlines during the last few months have been the ‘New Accommodation Offer’ which is gathering pace – Starting from 11th March 2024, the MOD will begin introducing a new accommodation offer for our armed forces. Some of the changes will happen immediately, while others may only affect you when you are assigned to a new role or at the end of the three-year transition period. The planned changes are intended to modernise accommodation entitlements, improve the standard of Single Living Accommodation, update the overseas accommodation offer and, overall, give our people more of a say in how they live. More information can be found at www.raf-ff.org.uk/housing3

Sue Gee

Both Stan and Mark continue to champion for our RAF Serving Personnel and their families with visits to units such as RAF Marham, Waddington, Fylingdales, and Boulmer and higher-level meetings continue with DIO, Pinnacle, VIVO and Amey on a weekly basis. A recent success has included a joint effort within the RAF Families Federation team; several meetings held with Leidos Europe Ltd, Global Logistics Services in order to improve the transparency of excess baggage movements ‘Reclamations’ and ‘Complaints’; whilst the policy is established, it is not widely understood and is driving increased frustration within the user community, therefore the RAF Families Federation drove for clarity in order for the SP to understand the appropriate reclamation and complaint process. Copies of the AU declaration form and additions / deletions form, together with a process flow chart can be found within the excess baggage process area under the help function on the Agility web portal - https://grms-external.agility.com/ and a copy of the complaint form, and details of where to submit once completed, can be found within the complaint form area under the help function on the Agility web portal - https://grms-external.agility.com/

The RAF Families Federation is there to support RAF personnel and their families, if you or know of anyone who is experiencing challenges with accommodation, please contact us www.raf-ff.org.uk/contact.

Engagement and Outreach

On the Engagement and Outreach front, I have been putting in the miles visiting many of our stations and units running drop-in clinics as part of the second roll out. Sometimes accompanied by a colleague from within the team, I have travelled North, South, East and West, meeting many members of the whole force and engaging with Service Personnel of all ranks and their families to discuss issues that currently affect them, whether it be accommodation (SFA or SLA), Health, Education, Finance, Spousal Support or Overseas. This has resulted in several of the issues being reported via our contact form, support being offered from the specialists with the RAF Families Federation wider team and positive results being achieved. The drop-ins continue up to the end of March. If we haven’t visited your unit, why not drop us a line to organise one. If your issue needs specific and more timely support, remember to use our online contact form www.raf-ff.org.uk/contact

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.

Stan Brathwaite

Mark Hayhurst

Ian Todd

HEALTH AND ADDITIONAL NEEDS

At the RAF-FF we continue to forge links across the NHS, the DWP, Local Authorities and the Devolved Nations. I recently gave a presentation to the Scottish NHS Armed Forces Champions on the role of the RAF-FF and how we support families. As a result, we are collaborating more closely on how we best support the health of our service families in Scotland.

In my role as Finance Lead, I have seen an increase in enquiries relating to Capital Gains Tax, Overseas Allowances, Scottish Income tax and Occupational Maternity pay to name but a few. We have also seen an increase in benefits related enquiries.

Recently we were contacted by a family who had moved overseas on assignment with a family member who has complex disabilities and receives Personal Independence Payment benefits. This benefit represented a significant payment each month for the family and allowed them to source the appropriate resources and care for their family member. After re-locating they received an email stating that they would no longer receive the benefit because they now live in a different country. This not only represented significant disadvantage to the family, it also severely impacted their monthly income. We know that the Armed Forces family members are exempt from the overseas rule, so we contacted the DWP to ask them to correct the error. We also know that it can take considerable time to correct benefit decisions so we reached as far and wide at the DWP as our contact list would allow. We are happy to report that within 5 days we received the news from the family that their benefit had been restored to them. We will continue in our work to establish strong networks across all organisations so that we can better and more swiftly work together to support our RAF Families.

EDUCATION

As we enter the spring term, we look forward to hearing how early years providers, schools, youth groups and Service families celebrate the Month of the Military Child this April. Check out the article by Never Such Innocence in this issue and visit our website for suggestions of how you can get involved. We continue to receive a number of enquiries on early years and childcare provision and hope the information and signposting in our childcare article in this issue helps raise awareness of the support available to the RAF community as well as highlighting potential issues and the need to plan ahead and research your options early. We hope recent changes have made the Wraparound Childcare registration and claims process easier – please do get in touch if you are encountering any challenges.

As Envoy goes to print, the RAFFF are looking forward to attending a meeting hosted by the Royal British Legion focusing on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - we are aware that access to assessments and support is not always easy. We work to improve your lived experience and were pleased to support an RAF family recently and help them access a place for their child at an appropriate special school to ensure their needs could be met. If you are encountering challenges and need support relating to SEND, please do contact us www.raf-ff.org.uk/contact. We hope those of you awaiting the outcomes of primary and secondary school applications this spring are successful in achieving the places you are hoping for. If you need support with the school admissions or appeals process, Service personnel and families can contact the Education Advisory Team via email at: RC-DCS-HQEAT@mod.gov.uk for guidance and advice.

Communications

As well as producing this magazine every quarter, the Comms team continue to look at ways to improve the Federation website, Ebulletin newsletter and social media platforms, to ensure the message of what the Families Federation can do to support personnel and families, on all manner of subjects, gets out there. We’ve been spending more time on stations across the UK, ensuring our information posters are in place in HIVEs, our contact cards are to hand at community centres and the latest copy of Envoy is available in crew rooms and congregation areas all across the RAF estate. Please do let us know if you can’t get hold of any of the above, and we’ll get them to you asap.

Alexandra Stokes

Tim Unwin

Caz Evans

Centrally

Affordable

Extensive enrichment opportunities

Excellent

Outstanding pastoral care

MEET THE TEAM: SUE GEE

Spousal Employment & Overseas Support Policy Advisor at the RAFFF

I originally served in the RAF as a Musician, joining in 1991. Since leaving I have worked in the NHS and prior to taking up my role at the RAF Families Federation, I was an MOD Civil Servant for 15 years. As an MOD Civil Servant, I worked in Recruiting and Selection at RAF Cranwell and then at RAF Waddington as an Intelligence Reserves recruiter.

Joining in 2016, I am currently serving in the RAF Reserves as a Part Time Volunteer Reserve Musician, based at RAF Cranwell. I absolutely love being a reserve and have taken part in many events including the Royal Edinburgh and Belfast International Military Tattoos, and state occasions including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. This year will be particularly exciting as it is the 100th anniversary of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, so the Band of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force will be participating in centenary events across the country.

I joined the Families Federation in June 2023, and have been able to use my previous experiences and current service knowledge to help me settle into my new role. There is a vast amount of knowledge across the federation, and everyone is passionate about making a difference to our serving personnel and their families. I work closely with my colleagues from the Army and Naval Families Federations and many of our projects are tri service. I am enjoying being part of the team and pleased to be playing my part in effecting change.

Spousal Employment Information

www.raf-ff.org.uk/employment

Overseas Information

www.raf-ff.org.uk/overseas

HOW TO CONTACT US

www.raf-ff.org.uk/contact

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• RAFFF lead for Spousal Employment and Overseas Support, liaising with AFF and NFF to identify common issues and areas of best practice.

• Responding to enquiries and dealing with casework for Spousal Employment and Overseas support.

• Member of working groups across the MOD and wider, to advocate for Spousal employment issues.

• Linking in with overseas organisations and MOD, plus other area specialists.

Sue with Fam Fed colleague Ian Todd at RAF Cranwell

MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD

Each April, Never Such Innocence (NSI) offers a variety of creative activities for RAF children, their families and schools to take part in for Month of the Military Childand this year is no different!

One of the questions we often hear from families is, ‘My child is the only (or one of few!) military-connected child in the school, and we’d love to get the school involved in Month of the Military Child, do you have any materials we could share with them?’ The answer is: Yes! We do!

We have a nice bundle of 3 activities which could be done at home, at an after-school group, as part of base celebrations or as a school assembly for Month of the Military Child.

1: Wear Purple on April 26th!

A very simple way to show support of military children is by wearing the colour of military children - purple! The colour was chosen as it is the mixture of colours associated with the tri-services.

2: Sing Dandelions!

We are thrilled to share this catchy song, written by our Voices of Armed Forces Children Choir, who you will have seen on Britain’s Got Talent a couple of years back! The chorus goes:

‘Cause we are dandelions

When we plant our feet, we grow

Cause we are dandelions

We go where the wind blows

A backing track for the song, lyric sheet and sheet music for the song are available for groups and schools to use and can be provided on request.

3: Enter the Competition!

For those young people 6-18 that enjoy poetry or art, they might like to enter a piece into our competition, open from April 1 - May 3. This year’s theme is ‘Life as a Dandelion’ and asks young people to share something about their life as an RAF child. What makes them special and unique? Maybe they would like to share a memory or a fun experience they’ve had with their serving parent? If they could tell the world one thing about what it means to be part of an RAF family, what would it be? All participants will receive a personalised certificate and winners will be invited for a special day in London and have their work displayed in the Main Building of the Ministry of Defence. Information about all of these fun activities can be found on our website www.neversuchinnocence.com/month-of-themilitary-child

CHILDCARE Information Update

As RAF families move around the country and further afield for various postings, the RAF Families Federation (RAFFF) understand that some parents/carers may encounter challenges accessing early years and childcare provision that meets their needs. With childcare being such a key issue for many families, we thought it may be timely to look at early years and childcare provision for the RAF community and share an update and points for consideration in helping parents/carers access affordable, flexible and quality provision that meets their needs.

England

The Government funded early years childcare provision phased expansion will roll out from April 2024 for families in England. The diagram below, with information taken from the Childcare Choices website, outlines provision and the upcoming changes in England from April 2024.

If you are hoping to benefit from the expanding childcare offer in England, we recommend you check the eligibility criteria and talk to your current or prospective childcare providers to discuss capacity and check whether they will be able to offer childcare for the hours you are hoping to use. The first stage of the roll out will see eligible working parents of two-yearolds receive 15 hours funded childcare per week starting from April 2024. Applications for this stage of the expansion

opened in January 2024. Parents/carers can apply for funded provision via the Childcare Choices website and will be asked to reconfirm that they are still eligible for the support every 3 months.

The RAFFF is aware that some childcare settings in England may have long waiting lists which may present challenges for families relocating and seeking childcare provision. If you are anticipating a move, we recommend you investigate your childcare options early on to help secure a place that will suit your needs – visit the Local Authority (Families Information Service) website for information on childcare providers or contact the local HIVE or Community Development Officer (CDO) for guidance. If you are struggling to access childcare places in your local area, feel free to get in touch with us at www.raf-ff.org.uk/contact – we cannot guarantee that we’ll be able to find a place for your child, but it is helpful to collect evidence on where there are particular challenges with capacity to enable us to engage with the MOD, RAF and Local Authorities on this. As part of the work on the Armed Forces Families Strategy, the MOD with help from the RAF in identifying need, are working to increase the capacity on or near the Defence Estate to support Armed Forces families in accessing early years childcare provision. We look forward to understanding further details on this when the Defence Early Years Strategy is launched in Spring 2024.

DEVOLVED ADMINISTRATIONS:

As education is a devolved matter, Government funded early education and childcare provision varies across the nations of the UK. The Childcare Choices website provides information on the support available to parents and carers across the UK and is a good starting point to find out what you may be entitled to. As the entitlement to Government funded support may change as RAF families relocate to different postings, we suggest you research the support you may be able to access and availability of childcare places before accepting a new assignment.

Wales

The Welsh Government website www.gov.wales/childcare-offerfor-wales-campaign has information on funded early education and childcare provision in Wales including the eligibility criteria used to determine the support parents/carers are entitled to.

“What is the Childcare Offer for Wales?

The Offer can provide 30 hours of government funded early education and childcare to most parents of 3 and 4 year olds who are working or in education or training for 48 weeks per year. It builds on the existing universal entitlement to early education, which provides all 3 and 4 year olds with at least 10 hours of early education. The children of eligible parents will receive up to 20 additional hours of funded childcare.”

The Flying Start program in Wales aims to help families with children under 4 years old in disadvantaged areas of Wales. Under this initiative, some families of 2 years olds will be able to access funded provision; an enhanced Health Visitor service; access to parenting programmes and support for children to learn to talk and communicate. Contact your local Family Information Service to see if you may be eligible to access support under the Flying Start initiative in your area.

With Wales being a bilingual country, it may be helpful to note that some childcare providers offer settings that use the Welsh language – we suggest you contact providers to discuss their offer to consider whether it may meet your needs. The Community Support Team are often well placed to offer guidance on what is available in the local area, and we suggest you contact them to benefit from their local knowledge on childcare provision.

Scotland

The Scottish Government website www.mygov.scot/childcarecosts-help/funded-early-learning-and-childcare has information on the early education and childcare offer in Scotland:

“You can get up to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare a year (around 30 hours a week in term time) if your child is 3 or 4 years old. Some 2 year olds are also eligible.”

As Envoy goes to print, we are waiting for further guidance on what the expanded offer will look like in Scotland and who will benefit from the plans which will be “focussed on reducing poverty and offering practical help and support, particularly for those families who need it most”.

Moray Council, home to RAF Lossiemouth, has an online guide to Early Learning and Childcare www.moray.gov.uk/downloads/ file122342.pdf which explains the entitlements in the area and the options you have as a parent/carer. At time of publication, the local area has struggled to generate sufficient childcare places to meet the needs of all in the region who require full time care. If you are considering a posting to the area, we recommend you research childcare options prior to accepting a posting to ensure you will be able to access provision that meets your need.

Northern Ireland

The Childcare Choices website highlights that, “Northern Ireland offers funded pre-school education for children in the year before they start primary school.” For further information please visit: www.eani.org.uk/parents/admissions

If you are based in Northern Ireland or considering a posting there, we recommend you contact the Children’s Education Support Officer, Army Welfare Service NI (located within 38 Brigade) for guidance on early education and childcare via email at: RC-AWS-N-38X-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk.

Overseas

As we highlight in the childcare overseas section on our website, if your family requires early years childcare or childcare for school age children before/after schools and in the school holidays, it will be important to identify what is available before you commit to an overseas assignment. In some countries, childcare services may be very limited and provision may not cover a full working day or be available outside of term-time.

The GOV.UK website has information on the support available to Service families based overseas:

www.gov.uk/guidance/childcare-for-service-children#overseas This includes:

- Guidance on access to 15 and 30 hours funded childcare for eligible 3 and 4 year olds in MOD nursery settings

- Information on how eligible families can apply for reimbursement of nursery fees by means of the Overseas Nursery Authority (ONA) in locations where MOD settings are not available

- Guidance on whether you may be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare overseas

In 2023, the MOD conducted an overseas survey looking at childcare to better understand the lived experience and we consulted our RAF Community Forum and presented anonymised evidence to the RAF and MOD for consideration. We will continue to engage with the MOD to advocate for RAF personnel and families overseas and work with them to develop the support offered to Armed Forces families overseas to ensure their needs are met appropriately.

Conclusion:

Whilst the RAFFF are pleased to hear that many RAF families are benefitting from the MOD Wraparound Childcare (WAC) initiative and anticipate some working families in England with young children will benefit from the expanded childcare offer from April 2024, we are aware that some members of the RAF community are still struggling to access childcare provision that meets their needs and circumstances.

We will continue to engage with the MOD, RAF and other relevant stakeholders on early years and childcare provision to advocate for Service personnel and families to ensure your needs and concerns are heard and considered. Contact us via the RAF Families Federation website if you would like to discuss childcare provision in your area or to request support. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our weekly eBulletin newsletter for further updates on childcare provision across the UK and overseas.

FOCUS ON Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

By | Ali Stokes, Policy Advisor - Education and Childcare

With many schools and Local Authorities (LAs) across the UK carefully considering their budgets and prioritising how resources are allocated, we are aware that families with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)* may encounter long waiting lists to access assessments and services. For military families who may relocate every 2-3 years and need to transfer support for their children, we understand that this process is not always easy to navigate – assessments may have to be repeated and families may encounter delays in appropriate provision being made available to ensure their child’s needs can be met in a new setting.

In 2022, the RAF Families Federation (RAFFF) responded to the SEND Review consultation in England using evidence the RAF community shared with us to help us raise awareness of the challenges RAF families may encounter in accessing SEND provision. This included highlighting difficulties transferring Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) across England and how the unique experiences of RAF families could benefit from the improvements we suggested, including standardising and digitalising EHCPs. The SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan www.bit.ly/SENDapi was published in March 2023 and sets out the Department for Education’s (DfE) plans to change the SEND and alternative provision system in England. We will continue to engage with the DfE and other stakeholders to advocate for the RAF community and encourage supportive policies to be developed to improve the support available to children from an Armed Forces background to help them reach their potential and thrive in education.

For families based in England, the SEND Code of Practice www.bit.ly/SENDCoP recognises that Service children may need special provisions in place and outlines action to take in respect of Service children with SEND and places certain responsibilities on LAs. Section 10.57 of the SEND Code of Practice states local authorities should:

* The terminology for SEND and additional needs varies across the UK: England - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities; Northern Ireland – Special Educational Needs; Wales - Additional Learning Needs; Scotland - Additional Support for Learning.

“When children move home across local authority boundaries, transfer the EHC [Education Health and Care] plan from the ‘old’ local authority to the ‘new’ local authority within 15 days from when they first become aware of the move. The new local authority will have to tell the parents within 6 weeks of the transfer of the EHC plan whether the authority will bring forward the annual review of the plan and whether it intends to reassess the child. From the transfer of the plan the new local authority must arrange the special educational provision set out in it, although a child may have to be placed in a school other than the one named on the plan if the distance of the move makes it impractical to send the child to the named school.”

With the Armed Forces Covenant Duty enshrined in law, statutory guidance has been developed to help LAs consider their policies and practice to ensure they are supporting Service families appropriately. The RAFFF are pleased that many LAs have signed up to the MOD Local Authority Partnership (MODLAP) agreed principles for the transition of Service children with SEND and encourage other LAs to review and sign up to these principles in order to avoid service children with SEND experiencing delays in having their needs assessed and met.

It is encouraging to hear about collaboration between the MOD and DfE and we were pleased to receive an update from Ed Harris, MOD Senior Education Officer, on a joint publication they are currently developing:

‘The MOD are currently working in partnership with the DfE to publish joint guidance relating to Service children in

education in England. This guidance will cover a broad range of relevant issues affecting Service children, including special educational needs and disabilities. The DfE and MOD hope for this guidance to be published in the first half of 2024.’

The RAFFF will continue to engage with the MOD and other key stakeholders and look forward to sharing the joint guidance through our communications channels when it is available shortly.

SCISS Voice of Schools 2023 SEND Survey

In November 2023, we called on schools across England to support the Service Children In State Schools (www. sciss.org.uk) Voice of Schools SEND survey to understand schools’ experiences of supporting children with SEND from Armed Forces families. Over 300 schools responded to this survey and shared their insights into what’s working well and what needs to be improved. As this edition of Envoy goes to print, we are awaiting the findings of this report and look forward to discussing this with the DfE and MOD to consider what more needs to be done to support this potentially vulnerable group of learners.

If your child has additional needs, where can you go for help?

If your child has SEND or you have concerns about the progress they are making at school or with their health and wellbeing, we encourage you to engage with your child’s school and/or GP to discuss the support your child can access and address any concerns you may have. Please be aware that services across the UK vary and if you move to another LA, the services and therapies available in your new area may not be replicated.

If you are relocating, we encourage families to investigate what is available in your new area and engage with the relevant organisations early to discuss the transfer of information and support. You can find out what support is available in your area via the LA website – in England this can often be accessed in the ‘Local Offer’ section of LA websites.

RAF Service personnel and families can contact the Education Advisory Team (EAT) via email at:

RC-DCS-HQ-EAT@mod.gov.uk for information, advice and guidance relating to SEND in the UK or the Overseas Education Supportability Team (OEST) via email at:

RC-DCS-HQ-OES@mod.gov.uk for guidance overseas. Community Support teams may be able to provide information on SEND support that is available locally such as the SEND support group, COMPASS, based at RAF Brize Norton so you could also consider getting in touch with your local HIVE (www.bit.ly/HIVEfinder) for support and signposting.

We suggest Service personnel consider discussing any SEND requirements their family may have

with their chain of command and career managers to enable them to take this into consideration to ensure the needs of the whole family can be appropriately supported as per the recommendation in the Duty and Care report. Families considering an accompanied assignment overseas will need educational and medical clearance before they can accompany the Service person. The MOD Assessment of Support Needs for Accompanied Assignments Overseas (www.bit.ly/AoSNFAAO policy describes the assessment process and we suggest families contact the OEST prior to applying for an overseas posting to discuss their family’s needs and the support that may be available to them overseas.

Armed Forces Education Trust

(armedforceseducation.org) has previously provided grants to RAF families to support children with SEND in education. Charmian Hickman, CEO of the Trust, shared that, "A grant from the Armed Forces Education Trust can play a pivotal role in fostering a more supportive and inclusive environment for service children, ensuring they receive the necessary assistance to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially despite the inherent challenges associated with military life."

The RAFFF website has guidance and signposting on SEND (www.raf-ff.org. uk/education/special-educationalneeds), Support for Service children and the Devolved Administrations, and we work with partners in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales so please do get in touch if you have any questions or concerns if you are relocating between the UK nations.

There are a number of charities offering support to children with SEND and we are aware that the

What more is being done?

To assist schools in supporting Service children, in 2023, the MOD invited applications for funding through the Service Pupil Support Programme. One of the key themes and priorities was to address the needs of Service pupils with additional needs through early identification and intervention using a collaborative and coordinated approach. We look forward to hearing about the impact of these projects in due course.

The MOD Education Policy Team continues to work with the MOD Local Authorities Partnership group to encourage LAs in England to work together to improve the experience and outcomes of children of UK Armed Forces families.

The RAFFF are always keen to hear from Service personnel and families to understand their experiences of accessing SEND support – both what is working well and where there are issues that need to be addressed. We can engage with LAs and other stakeholders to encourage them to consider the support they offer to the RAF community and ensure those within scope are paying due regard to the Armed Forces Covenant Duty and treating Armed Forces families fairly. If you are interested in sharing your experiences relating to SEND with us, sign up to the RAF Community Forum (www. raf-ff.org.uk/federation/raf-community-forum) as we are developing plans for a webinar focusing on this in the coming months – follow us on social media to ensure you don’t miss out!

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Finances – Overseas assignments

By |Caz Evans - Finance Lead

An overseas assignment can be an exciting prospect for families; one of the positive aspects of service life can be exploring new countries, diverse cultures and new locations. From an administrative and logistical perspective, it can also be daunting and there is much to do. From letting your house, to selling cars, military allowances serve to support with any extra expense incurred with an overseas move.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

Once you have been offered an overseas assignment, seek specialist location advice, i.e. www.raf-ff.org.uk/overseas as early as possible. Research the location thoroughly; in some areas there are limitations on spousal employment, childcare/schooling, medical support and financial implications. It is better to be fully informed than to make a quick decision, which may have longer term consequences for your family.

DISTURBANCE EXPENSE

Eligible personnel may apply for Disturbance Expense, a contribution towards the necessary added expenses that may arise when Service Personnel are required to move locations in the UK and overseas; it includes a child element where eligible. Claims can be submitted via JPA 45 days before your expected move date to then be paid 30 days before your move. It is worth noting that there are different rates for outbound overseas and inbound UK moves to cater for the increased expense on moving to an overseas location.

RENTING OUT YOUR PROPERTY

If you have been living in your own home for over six months, you may wish to let it during your overseas move. Eligible personnel may apply for a Refund of Legal Expenses (RLE); this contributes towards the legal fees that arise on the letting, and repossession of a home.

ADVANCE OF PAY

If you’re moving overseas, you can request an advance of pay to help with the upfront costs. This can be paid back

over the next 12 months through monthly salary. Speak to your unit HR admin team for more information.

VEHICLE MATTERS

Overseas Private Vehicle Provision can be claimed to help with shipping, buying out of a lease or buying and selling a new car when posted. It offers a capped rate, designed to contribute towards administrative and vehicle depreciation costs when selling and buying a vehicle, towards the charges incurred when required to cancel a vehicle lease agreement, and to contribute towards the cost of privately shipping one vehicle to and from the permanent overseas assignment location.

If you have purchased your vehicle on personal contract purchase (PCP) or other types of finance, check whether the finance company allow you to take your car with you. Some companies will allow this, but not all. See our article on PCP cars and moving overseas: www.raf-ff.org.uk/personal-contract-purchases

INSURANCE

We know finding insurance policies to cater for the unique nature of service life can be problematic, particularly when moving overseas. Fortunately, there are several specialist Armed Forces insurers offering policies to meet Service families’ unique needs, who may offer policies at BFPO postings, deployments and non-European overseas postings. Types of insurance may include kit and personal possessions insurance, personal and life insurance and pet insurance (Europe). Specialist military friendly car insurers may offer a freeze on no claims discount bonuses, particularly If you are heading to an assignment outside Europe. It is a good idea to keep a record of your NCD to prove your record when you return to UK.

We have a link to Forces family friendly insurers on our website:

www.raf-ff.org.uk/financial-matters/insurance

LOCAL OVERSEAS ALLOWANCE (LOA)

LOA contributes towards the necessary added costs of day-to-day living when assigned overseas. It is a comparison of the cost of living in the UK against the cost of living in the overseas location and serves to offset any extra cost of living overseas and covers cost of living, environmental and location differences between the UK and overseas. It is calculated daily and paid alongside monthly salary for eligible personnel; the same rate is paid to all ranks.

RESPITE PROVISION (RP)

RP contributes towards travel and accommodation costs for families who are permanently assigned to an overseas location to take a respite break away from their duty station. This provision is awarded annually and renews on the anniversary of your Reporting for Duty Date (RDD).

GET YOU HOME (OVERSEAS) (GYH(O)

GYH(O) is aimed at reducing the separation of eligible personnel from close family, friends and UK lifestyle that result from a permanent overseas assignment. This is achieved by assisting towards the costs of one return journey to the UK or, in the case of non-British passport holders, to the country of domicile.

SCHOOL CHILDRENS VISITS

If you have a child at boarding school in the UK, then you may be able to claim School Children’s Visits (SCVs); entitled personnel are able to claim for 6 return or 12 single visits per year, if your child is at university, the entitlement is 3 return trips a year.

You will be required to pay a parental contribution towards each SCV trip, and it’s also important to plan financially for

any trips outside of the ones you are able to claim for, no matter where you’re posted. There may be exeat weekends or important events that you wish to attend which are not covered by the SCV allowance.

NATIONAL INSURANCE CREDITS

You may be able to get National Insurance credits if you’re married to or the civil partner of a member of the armed forces and you go with them on an overseas posting.

Credits can help to fill gaps in your National Insurance record, for example if you were not in work when you were with your partner on an overseas posting. Credits can make sure you qualify for certain benefits including the State Pension.

WHERE DO I FIND MORE INFORMATION?

More details on overseas allowances can be found in JSP 752. Visit https://bit.ly/JSP752 and scroll down to Chapter 9.

iHIVE

The tri-Service International HIVE (iHIVE) provides location-specific guides and information available to download from the iHIVE blog at hiveinfo.blogspot.com

How AFPSs protect your family after you die

Do you understand how the Armed Forces Pension Schemes (AFPSs) protect your family in the event of your death? In this short article Mary Petley of the Forces Pension Society outlines what they would provide should the worst happen.

First, an explanation of the benefits paid by each of the AFPSs as they apply to serving personnel.

AFPS 75: spouse/civil partner benefits comprise:

- a pension of 50% of the member’s pension entitlement, including an enhancement based on Invaliding Rates.

Unmarried partners are not normally eligible for this pension.

AFPS 05: spouse/civil partner or eligible partner* benefits comprise:

- a pension worth 62.5% of the members pension entitlement based on their actual Reckonable Service (RS) enhanced by ½ of their prospective service to age 55**.

AFPS 15: spouse/civil partner or eligible partner* benefits comprise:

- a Death-in-Service lump sum worth four times pensionable pay (providing nobody else is nominated to receive it); and

- a pension worth 62.5% of the member’s pension entitlement based on the pension earned enhanced by ½ of their prospective service to age 60 multiplied by their average pension.**

* both must be single, cohabiting and financially dependent\ interdependent.

** if the beneficiary is more than 12 years younger than the member, their pension may be reduced.

Those who, prior to 1 April 2022, where AFPS 75 or AFPS 05 members have protected entitlements in that scheme, but any death enhancements paid by one scheme are offset against benefits awarded by the other.

So, for example, if an individual with exactly 19 years’ RS died in service on 31 March 2023 leaving a spouse, their spouse would receive:

• The AFPS 15 Death-in-Service lump sum (providing no other beneficiary had been nominated);

• A pension based on 62.5% of the deceased’s entitlement which would include an enhancement of 1/19 of the prospective service. (1/19th is used as only 1 year of the total 19 served was as an AFPS 15 member).

Plus either:

• 50% of the deceased’s AFPS 75 entitlement which would include an enhancement of 18/19ths of the difference between the normal 19-year rate for their rank and the 19-year invaliding rate.

Or

• 62.5% of the deceased’s AFPS 05 entitlement which would include an enhancement of 18/19ths of the sum arrived at by using the formula above.

The 18/19ths reflect the fact that the deceased was a member of their ‘old’ scheme for 18 out of their 19 years’ service.

Finally, had the deceased been in service both on or before 31 March 2012 and still in service on or after 1 April 2015, with any break in service of less than 5 years, the spouse would be entitled to choose whether they wanted the benefits outlined above or for the benefits from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 22 (i.e. the AFPS 15 Remedy (McCloud) period) to count in AFPS 15. In due course, they would receive a Remediable Service Statement explaining their pension options and inviting them to make a choice.

DRIVING YOU MAD!

Are you owed tax back on mileage?

Liz at Money Bee offers some easy-to-understand advice.

Why can I claim tax back on mileage?

This is one of those things that should be sung from the HM Forces rooftops – but instead it seems to be shrouded in mystery.

In basic terms, if you have claimed or been awarded payments for mileage from HM Forces, you can probably claim some tax back on it – this is because HM Forces generally do not pay you the HMRC recommended mileage rates.

Back in 2015, the MOD released 2015DIN01-005 to clarify the situation and, where it does help a bit, it can still be gibberish to many. If you are serving or have access to MODNET then you should be able to access this DIN.

Firstly, it’s important to understand the difference between a ‘Permanent’ workplace and a ‘Temporary’ one.

Temporary Workplace/Posting

Your workplace is deemed to be temporary if you are posted there for 24 months or less.

BUT

• If the initial posting was for LESS than 24 months and is then extended to be MORE than 24 months, the ‘temporary’ element ends on the date the extension was agreed.

• If the initial posting was for MORE than 24 months but is then reduced to LESS than 24 months, it is NOT classed as a temporary workplace. This is because the serving member would have been entitled to the other entitlements that come with a permanent posting.

With that in mind – here is a bit more information:

Home to Duty Travel (HDT)

You cannot claim tax back on HDT at your permanent posting

because HDT is not classed as ‘business travel’. This HDT payment you receive is actually a perk that most employers don’t pay!

BUT

If you are on a temporary posting* you can claim tax back on the HDT mileage IF the journey you are now making is significantly different to your journey to your permanent workplace.

What constitutes ‘significant’ is looked at on a case by case basis, but as a rule it should be a noticeable effect on the cost and distance of the journey compared to your usual HDT journey.

Get You Home Travel (GYH)

You can only claim the tax back on your GYH if you are at a temporary workplace*. You will need to understand what GYH arrangements are in place for your specific posting.

You can only make a claim for the agreed journeys, not all the journeys you make (e.g. if you are paid for 2 journeys a month, but actually go home every weekend, then you can only claim for the 2 agreed journeys)

Other Motor Mileage Allowance (MMA)

If you have been paid MMA following a claim then you can claim some tax back on it. You should be able to find the information you need in the JPA dashboard function. That’s all very good – but how do you actually DO the claim?

There are 2 parts to this.

1. Work out the amount to claim

2. Submit the claim to HMRC

Work out the claim.

For any claim, you will need to know:

• Start & end point of the journey.

• Distance travelled (the standard is per Google Maps, unless your unit chain of command specifies otherwise).

• Reason for the journey.

• Date of the journey.

You will also need to have evidence of the temporary workplace arrangement - Assignment Order ideally. If you don’t have the original AO, then evidence of the anticipated length of posting when AO was issued, actual length of assignment & details of any extensions

Work out what the payment should be and take away how much you have been paid – then you can claim the tax back on the difference.

E.g.

Claim 400 miles. Receive £100. This is an average of 25p per mile (100/400=0.25)

You should get 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p per mile thereafter (per HMRC)

45p x 400 miles = £180

Therefore: £180 - £100 = £80. You can claim the tax back on £80.

The amount of tax you would get for this depends on your specific circumstances, but assuming you are in the lower tax bracket (i.e. paying 20% tax) then:

£80 x 20% tax = £16

You would receive £16 tax back

This may not sound like much, but if you are claiming mileage regularly, then it can add up quickly. And if you have never claimed before, you can go back 4 tax years with the claim –which, as at March 2024, means you can go back to 6th April 2019.

Submit the Claim to HMRC

If you already Self-Assess, then you should include it on your self-assessment.

If the expenses to claim for the tax year are more than £2500, then you must claim via Self-Assess

If you don’t self-assess & the expenses are less than £2500 then you can use Form P87 ‘Tax relief for expenses of employment’ (search for HMRC P87 form or go to https://www.gov.uk/taxrelief-for-employees )

Money Bee are not HMRC employees and the information is correct to the best of their knowledge. If you need help with this, you can:

• Refer to 2015DIN01-005

• Go to Claim tax relief for your job expenses: Vehicles you use for work - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) – there is an online checking tool to see if you are eligible & it also help you to make the claim

• Ask an accountant to help you (they will probably charge you a fee for this)

However Liz is happy for people to contact her for general queries on Liz@money-bee.co.uk, using the subject line ‘Mileage Claim'.

NEW DEPLOYMENT GUIDES

Deployment Information, previously known as deployment pack ups, often varied in content and quality from station to station. The RAF HIVE Service have introduced three new Deployment and Detachment Support Guides, offering one resource to access deployment information for RAF Service Personnel and, most importantly, their family members.

Now accessible to all Serving personnel and their families and unlike previous versions, these new guides have been tailored to specific groups: one for Serving personnel (SP), one for family members (such as parents, spouses, or partners), and one for Serving personnel with children. Additionally, each guide will be customised by local HIVE staff to provide unit-specific information on the support available to family members of deployed personnel.

These refreshed guides mark the beginning of a wider review, aimed at enhancing the support provided to our serving personnel and their families, during detachment and deployment. This in turn, heralds the beginning of a wider review of communications to RAF families, primarily through RAF HIVE. Through recent families’ forums conducted by RAF Community Support Staffs from HQ Air Command at a number of our Stations across the UK, RAF Community Support recognises a need to get ‘back to basics’ with a refresh of communication channels and methods of reaching out to families, to ensure they are well informed and able to engage with

By|Nerys Bell BEM Head of RAF HIVE Service

the RAF whenever possible.

The new Deployment Guides can be viewed and downloaded from the RAF Community Support Deployment SharePoint site (internal access only), and we are currently exploring how these can be made available online externally.

Station specific guides are available in digital or hard copies from your unit RAF HIVE Service

https://www.raf.mod.uk/ serving-families/hive-finder/.

There are many forms of welfare and wellbeing support available for our families living either on or off units. The RAF HIVE Information Officer (HIO) and the Station Community Support Team are there to support our people and their families by providing timely and accurate information and assistance.

If there is any uncertainty of accessibility regarding the HIVE Service on your unit; Further information signposting the relevant service contact HIVE Service Management email: Air-COSPers-DelComSptHIVEMlbx@mod.gov.uk.

INTRODUCING THE MALE MILITARY SPOUSE NETWORK (MMSN)

By | Chris Keen

A place where men can chat openly about how they're feeling, without judgement, discuss military life and connect with other male military spouses & partners.

Long overdue, this a network that I have been looking for since becoming a male spouse 10 years ago. Through my blog (www. themilitaryhusband.co.uk), I receive a lot of messages from other male military spouses and partners looking for advice or support about being a minority and it’s really humbling to connect with them and talk about our shared experiences.

Now, you may be reading this and just thinking... 'MAN UP this isn't needed!’

Well... I started my blog back in 2019 when I was in the

Falklands with my wife after seeing that everything was aimed at the female spouses (commonly referred to as military wives), so I wanted to share my experience of being a male spouse and so often excluded from many of these events.

Fast forward 5 years and I hoped things would have improved and become more inclusive, but I still receive messages from male spouses who are feeling isolated, excluded and lonely as a minority group in the military spouse community.

I recently reached out to a few members of the network to ask for their thoughts and experiences of being a male and married to somebody in the military, and this is one of the replies that I received:

"In hindsight I was naive about how challenging being a male spouse in the military community would be.

I recall my first day on the camp, I met a lady (a female spouse) who advised me that I'd have a hard time as a male partner. The community looks great and I dismissed the comment as something that wouldn't affect me as I'm an outgoing character.

However, I'm now a well-seasoned spouse and I realise just how true those words on day one were. While I've developed good friends on camp, I'm still shocked by how many explicit and implicit gender barriers I continue to encounter.

Male spouses aren't supported nearly as much in my military community as female spouses are. I do get that the ladies have a hard time too and over the years clubs have evolved that provide support networks for femalespouses but the problem for male spouses is how core these non-inclusive clubs remain to the partners social scene.

As a male spouse it really hurts to be denied genuine access to the community's social scene for partners. l've asked to join some social events and have experienced female-spouses actively defend the need for ladies only events, this is based on how important they have found the support networks personally. Others don't feel strongly either way but choose to keep their heads down to avoid disagreeing with others with more social influence.

I'm usually met with empathy when I ask these female spouses to imagine being in my shoes; with all the same needs as the female spouses but being denied access to the support network as I'm male. On camp, l've yet to meet a female-spouse who's prepared to speak up for promoting genuine inclusion of male spouses into the military partners community.

It's not just a female thing either - serving male military friends who I've discussed this with aren't interested in things changing either. To paraphrase their view: Male spouses are such a minority in the military community and if it’s not seen / heard to be broken, then there's nothing to fix (whereas the female spouses need all the help they can get)!

The difficulty in getting included by the local community of female spouses has pushed me further afield (sometimes beyond the camp) to join clubs that that are gender inclusive. I really hope more focus is given in the future to male-spouses supporting the military community. They need just as much help as the females!"

This is just one example from the many male spouses that I talk to about their experiences living in the military community, and sadly the lack of inclusion is a common theme across the many different Armed Forces locations.

What I'm realising more and more is that male military spouses need a platform to voice their experiences to try and make some positive change in order to finally start to feel included in this community.

This is what I hope to achieve with the Male Military Spouse Network, and when I announced the network on social media the response was incredible. Below are a few comments I received…

• This is an outstanding, and honestly long overdue, initiative! For a time, we were a dual military couple and my husband struggled to navigate even that.

• This is great and well overdue. The men have been overlooked as spouses for…well, ever!

• Finally! I am SO pleased to see this great initiative!

• LOVE this! I’ve known many male spouses who could’ve used a blog like this!

• This is amazing Chris! Well done you! I hope it’s the turning point to better things. We’re all one family

• I know my husband would’ve definitely appreciated this network when he was a Military Spouse! He felt very out of place and there are no resources for male MilSpouses.

This was all brilliant feedback and it was great so see so much support! It also became apparent that this isn't just a UK problem too, nor is it specific to an individual unit (although I have noticed that some are evidently better/worse than others). This is a problem all over the world where the British Forces and their families are posted to.

I also believe that this is also not a problem for the spouses alone to fix – yes, they need to be on board with it and be on board with change which I think most of them are but inclusion of the minorities in the military spouse community is a complex welfare issue. It requires proactive engagement and leadership to make progress towards more positive inclusion.

So please spread the word that there is a Male Military Spouse Network and I'd encourage people to join, this is the linkhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/393205101653587

Alternatively, if you don't have Facebook, there is a link to join at the top of my website – www.themilitaryhusband.co.uk Our aspiration is for this to be used as the platform through which male military spouse issues can be voiced, without just being dismissed. It means we can identify any common or recurring themes, where interventions may be required. It has already shown 1 or 2 locations where male military spouse inclusion is particularly bad, and this feedback is currently being consolidated for the appropriate commanders and welfare teams for their consideration.

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In May 2023, the WHO officially ended the global emergency status for Covid-19; of course, many of us were back to our ‘new normal’ by this stage but the pandemic left a legacy of a new way of living, working and perhaps most importantly communicating.

A more hybrid method was adopted and through digital platforms such as MS Teams and Zoom, we found we could be much more effective and communicate just as well through digital platforms, without leaving the comfort of our own desks and homes –or could we?

The Importance of Diverse Communication Channels

Communication is the lifeblood of any community, and for military families, it is even more crucial. While platforms like Facebook can be convenient for disseminating information, they should not be the sole means of communication. Face-to-face interactions, town hall sessions, and community support groups play a vital role in fostering a sense of belonging among military families. These personal connections can provide a lifeline of support, especially during challenging times like deployments.

As someone who runs a national clinical research organisation, I am acutely aware of the opportunities and challenges in pan-discipline communication and data analytics. The 2023 UK Tri-Service Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) revealed statistics that highlights the urgent need to improve communications for families. Over 62% of families feel the communications they receive are not enough and over 55% of families disagree that policies aimed at them are communicated to them effectively by the Services. While these statistics highlight the issue across the Armed Forces and not specifically for RAF Families, the fact that there was only a 20% response rate from RAF Families to the survey may indicate an even larger issue. While the RAF have announced measures to address some of the issues highlighted for their families from the survey, a more pressing issue that is not being addressed is the low response rate to surveys like these, resulting in questionable data quality; with a low response rate, the nonresponse bias will be high, affecting both the reliability and validity of survey findings. Without reliable and representational data, opportunities to address the real issues may be missed and priorities will be misaligned. Improving the communication channels to ensure families have access to important surveys like these will ensure the RAF is focusing their efforts on the most pressing issues

for families based on more robust evidence. Military families often face frequent relocations, sometimes at short notice. For this reason, it is essential to have diverse communication channels that are accessible and user-friendly. Information should be available through multiple channels such as newsletters, emails, and community notice boards to ensure that all families receive updates, regardless of their preferred communication method. Maintaining open lines of communication with the families can help address specific needs and concerns unique to each station. These communication channels must be open and accessible to all and not limited to those who only have MOD-net accounts. For example, sign up for Family Happy Hour via a form that is only accessible via MOD Sharepoint is not helpful if the serving person is away or out of area; ironically, this is probably when a Families Happy Hour may be most needed.

Many military patches now have their own What’s App groups which is a great way to feel connected to neighbours and discuss issues such as bin days and traffic, but this way of communicating has its limitations and poses risks around assumptions and information. There is no central system in place to join a What’s App group which means some may miss out on the opportunity if they are unaware, many people don’t need or want another What’s App group and it is difficult to catch up on messages if important notices are placed on this forum.

A communications director for a well-known organisation once advised that every piece of information should be transmitted over 7 different types of communications channels. Although there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer to the types of communication, what is safe to say is that using a mix of channels can ensure broader engagement in the most effective possible way. For example, to complement online communication tools, another form of communicating information could be via leaflets through letterboxes – even in this digital age there is still a place for direct mail marketing.

One of the many challenges faced by military families is the inconsistency in the quality of support services and indeed communication methods, at different stations. While some bases excel in providing comprehensive support, (specific

station-based apps, well-functioning spouse led groups etc) others may fall short of meeting the needs of the families. This variation in support can lead to a sense of uncertainty and frustration, especially for those who move frequently. To address this issue, there should be a standardised level of care, support and means of communicating across all RAF stations. Whether stationed in the UK or deployed overseas, military families should be assured that consistent resources and assistance are available.

Commitment to Accountability

Ensuring consistency requires a commitment to accountability among those responsible for providing community support services. Regular assessments and feedback mechanisms can help identify areas for improvement and ensure that resources are allocated where they are most needed. The metrics should be SMART objectives, common to all stations and the Station Commander should be held to account; for example, 360-degree feedback from the families could be fed into annual reports. Another option to strengthen accountability would be to nominate a high-ranking post in Air Command to champion the families and establish mechanisms to provide the reassurance that support services and communication is of the highest quality. A families Steering Group could also be established that is chaired, for example, by the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and managed by the Director of People which will give the opportunity for families to hold the RAF to account (RAF Families Federation, elected family representatives etc) This would add the much needed weight and focus the minds of Station Commanders to keep family communication and support at the top of their priorities.

Allyson

Arnold has been married to an RAF officer for over 20 years and has travelled extensively with the RAF, working closely with families, serving personnel and veterans. She is deeply passionate about and committed to the RAF family. She is a trustee of the RAF Benevolent Fund and uses her lived experiences to help support the RAF BF carry out its vital work.

When the RAF Benevolent Fund put a call out two years ago for ‘Trustees with a Lived Experience’, I jumped at the chance to apply. The RAF Benevolent Fund, like all other military charities, cares deeply for members of the serving and veteran RAF community and their families. They recognise that to ensure their services cater for the broad range of needs of their beneficiaries, equal representation of that community and a broad skill base on their board of trustees is required. Similarly, in the charity sector and NHS, an area that I have worked in for over 20 years, it is recognised that new research, services and models of care will be more effective if patients and the public are involved. The RAF could adopt a similar approach and invite family members to have a seat at the table as non-executive directors to provide the knowledge and lived experience that will undoubtedly improve communication and support. Understandably, we do have excellent organisations already in place to support families, like

organisation to provide the views of family members through things like surveys. (Ironically, that are reliant on a somewhat disjointed communication channel for dissemination thus leading to a low response rate). This is about having a local community member and leader bringing real issues from their lived experiences and ‘intelligence’ from other families from the ground up. Each Station could have a family representative on its boards that feeds into a wider community support collaboration that promotes transparent and inclusive community group constitution and function, ensuring the views of family members are encouraged and heard alongside RAF leaders.

Adaptive Models of Communication and Support

With the introduction of hybrid working and the New Accommodation Offer coming into effect, more families are choosing to live in their own homes away from RAF stations. Historic models of communications such as community hubs and the HIVE will need to evolve to meet the future requirements for family support. Once again, the question of accountability needs to be addressed – how are systems like the HIVE managed and how are their aims and objectives aligned to the needs of the station? Is there a common memorandum of understanding with these structures to ensure that the station is receiving the service that is required? To cater for the increasing number of remote families, the HIVE will need to look at developing their staff with the most up to date digital communication training and community teams may need to upskill to ensure they are ahead of the digital communication curve, whilst still providing face to face support that is needed for those families still living on stations. Effective communication and consistent support are paramount for military families navigating the challenges of service life. The RAF must recognise the importance of including family members in their communication strategies to prioritise their unique needs. By fostering diverse communication channels, addressing disparities in support, and holding support providers accountable, the RAF can enhance the overall well-being of military families and reinforce the sense of community that is essential for their resilience and for the RAF’s overall operational capability.

THERE IS NO DEFENCE FOR ABUSE...

Domestic abuse affects

1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men and can impact on anyone, regardless of background; it can take many forms including controlling and coercive behaviour, financial abuse, threatening and violent behaviour and acts that that are intended to harm, intimidate, or frighten another person. Victims are not responsible for another person’s abusive or controlling behaviour and have the right to be supported and to stay safe.

Two DA survivors, both serving with the RAF, one female, one male, spoke anonymously to the RAF Families Federation to allow their stories to be told.

“LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!”

SURVIVOR ONE: A number of years ago if anyone had asked me what domestic abuse was, I would have said it was violence associated with being physically abused. I would never have thought it was applicable to me because although my husband / perpetrator only once went to punch me in the face, but stopped, I was never hit nor received any physical injuries. I thought I was the issue, the ‘difficult, emotional and depressed spouse!’ That everything was my fault and it was always down to my character and behaviour that I was being humiliated, belittled, intimidated and controlled through words and non-physically aggressive actions. It was only when I started my separation and divorce processes, that my Relate counsellor, provided through the RAF Benevolent Fund, and a junior solicitor, mentioned the term ‘abuse’ and strongly advised me to contact Women’s Aid.

Domestic abuse and violence includes a wide range of abusive conduct. It can include various forms of physical violence, sexual abuse, neglect, coercive or controlling behaviour. Coercive control, emotional and psychological abuse and financial abuse may not be as well recognised as other forms of domestic abuse, including physical and sexual abuse, but they also leave their mark, and these were the types of abuse I experienced.

I met my perpetrator over 10 years ago, when I was in my late 30s, enjoying a successful military career. He swept me off my feet, offered and appeared to be someone who wanted, enjoyed and had the same life values as me. It was perfect love bombing, and our relationship developed at lightning speed with extravagant gifts, unbelievable romantic gestures, cards and poetry. We quickly became a serious item, got engaged within a couple of months and started our family. I never saw or understood the red flags – of which there were many.

Eight years down the line, I was and still am serving, but life with my perpetrator had significantly changed – initially gradually – a slow drip, drip type of change from being the love of his life to being completed devalued by him. This wasn’t just a marriage that had gone wrong, nor me acting like a jilted, bitter ex-wife, as my perpetrator would happily throw at me, as he became involved in more indiscreet, extra-marital affairs, refused to go back to work and help with our financial responsibilities as he was happy being a stay at home parent, while I remained responsible for providing the family income. I was repeatedly gaslighted if I questioned his inappropriate behaviour or asked for his support. I was constantly blamed by my perpetrator for everything; he dominated how our family life ran, constantly head-worked me by putting me

down, often in front of others; I was painted as the worst person in the world, regularly told I was an unfit mother, terrible at my job, that I was a really horrible person that neither my family, friends, work colleagues and neighbours liked, so that I became more and more isolated. I lived in the shadow of his absolute distain and was repeatedly told by him that I had ‘severe mental issues’, and was ‘crazy and unstable’. I was subjected to regular threats of how he would ‘wipe the floor with me’ financially, that I would have to move out and financially support him and our child while they remained in the family home. I believed all his threats. There were daily aggressive verbal and vindictive rants with accompanying crude and aggressive gesticulating, normally in front of our young primary school-aged child, then followed by periods of silent treatment. I learnt to walk on eggshells, to hide away out of sight, to be quiet, to not parent my child or be able to share family meals when my perpetrator was in the house, and over time, I stopped standing up for myself to prevent the regular ongoing verbal onslaughts and to stop our child getting caught up in these. The more unhappy, underconfident and exhausted I became, the more my perpetrator thrived, devalued me; the more abusive and controlling he became.

After a specific incident in which I found I had regularly been unknowingly filmed and recorded inside my own home (as a means to be used against me when we went to court over financial arrangements) I took the small but massive step to contact my local Women’s Aid, and they assessed me as ‘medium risk’ - a complete shock to me as I thought what I was experiencing was too ‘low level’ and I didn’t recognise the different the types of abusive behaviour directed towards me. Women’s Aid set me up with a support worker for several months and recommended that I report this incident and others to the police. My local police force referred me to my local Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and me and my child were put under the care of my local authority Early Help Family Team.

That was the beginning of my recovery journey when I started to

realise, recognise and understand that I was in an abusive relationship and was experiencing a variety of domestic abuse, including increasing post separation abuse. Through my local authority I was offered some really good counselling and 1:1 support through the NHS Talking Therapies, the Early Help Family team and my allocated Early Help Family worker around parenting (to build my confidence and show I was a good parent) and domestic abuse by arranging for me to attend a locally run course - The Freedom Programme – a 12 week F2F programme that is free and provided by numerous agencies and local authorities across the UK. It is designed primarily for women as victims and survivors of domestic abuse and to help understand the attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of mainly abusive men (and also women), why it can happen to you, how we and our children are affected by being exposed to this type of conduct and most importantly how we recover when the abuse is removed. Additional support was provided for my child - provided in conjunction with their GP / CAMHs and primary school who offered specific nurturing and anxiety support. SSAFA can also signpost you to these agencies.

I was also extremely fortunate that my local NHS trust offered a course called BRAVE - Building Resilience and Valuing Emotions, which I attended just after my perpetrator moved out. This was a 12-week, weekly online or F2F course that provided therapeutic support for all adults who have experienced domestic abuse emotional difficulties following abuse and were also living away from their alleged perpetrator. It provided me a network of support as I met others going through a similar situation as well as developing new coping mechanisms and skills. The counsellors helped me to rebuild my confidence, emotional and mental strength and inner resilience (all at rock bottom when I started the course) and as an ongoing safety net once you graduated from the course – where the group and counsellor give and receive emotional support for up to 2 years.

alongside solicitors and barristers. I went to court four times, three of these to decide and determine the parenting arrangements for my child. On every occasion the court provided a separate waiting room and a screen in court so I didn’t have to see my perpetrator. Regarding the parenting arrangements the first judge was unsympathetic and ordered that I prove that I had been subjected to Domestic Abuse by providing a Scott Schedule. The next two judges were more balanced and understanding, agreeing that I didn’t have to prove my abuse and that there was adequate evidence from the number of different professional sources I had previously provided. More importantly for me and my child at my Final Hearing in which my perpetrator continually character assassinated me and was aggressive and argumentative with the judge, our social worker and my barrister; I was awarded a Lives With Arrangement Court Order for my child, my abuse was recognised and all contact to occur through a parenting app. That has been life changing.

I was also introduced to a divorce and separation coach called Caron Kipping (caronkippingcoaching.com) who specialises in Domestic Abuse especially those leaving a controlling relationship as she had experienced it herself, had worked as a professional Independent Domestic Violence Advocate and with the Dash Charity and for many years has supported many experiencing domestic abuse. There is little in the way of advice or support in dealing with the minefield of Domestic Abuse and the family courts and Caron provides regular newsletter, blogs, webinars, strategies and techniques in how to best deal with this. Caron has also authored a book which for me was like a handbook in how to leave your abusive ex behind – called ‘Recognition to Recovery’. A number of years on in my journey of recovery I still seek advice from her and numerous others that are part of her private Facebook group which provides a positive and safe forum with advice, tips and support from those in similar situations.

I AM A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS WITH GREAT AND LOVELY SUPPORT I AM REALLY FAR DOWN MY PATH OF RECOVERY. IT HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT JOURNEY. I AM A STRONGER, CONFIDENT AND RESILIENT INDIVIDUAL.

Due to the post separation abuse that I encountered from my perpetrator, who thrived on creating high conflict –such as counter and neglectful parenting of our young child, ongoing smear campaigns regarding me, aggressive and threating long ranting emails and texts, the complete inability to mediate or discuss anything rationally, withholding financial support for our child to list but a few behaviours – I had to go through the court system. My perpetrator didn’t respect me in our relationship and that was the same when it came to our divorce, finances and parenting arrangements, threatening, prolonging and stalling our legal process at every opportunity and discrediting me as much as possible. Regarding the court system, it can be an expensive process and I was incredibly lucky my family were able to support me and that I was recommended a specific solicitor whose firm specialised in domestic abuse cases. Every case is different, judges are different and often you will have a different judge for every court session as I did. It is well known that the system itself needs reforming. If you are going through court right now – there is support available through Domestic Abuse advocators or early help support counsellors who can be with you in court to provide support and advice

I am a survivor of domestic abuse and over the last few years with great and lovely support I am really far down my path of recovery. It has been a difficult journey. I am a stronger, confident and resilient individual. While a degree of post separation abuse does continue to occur and I continue to have a few wobbles when having to deal with my ex because of our child – I have almost zero contact with him except through our parenting app. With my ever-growing confidence and resilience, a better understanding of abuse and the tools and ways to support and safeguard both myself and my child – I am able to bounce back quicker and am no longer intimidated by his behaviour. It has taken strength and courage as well as a network of people who offered and gave their support –from my immediate family, my close neighbours who kept a watchful and protective eye on me once they knew what was going on, my chain of command who were empathetic and supported me in attending the recovery programmes I mentioned, the various professional agencies and counsellors including SSAFA and to the many others I have met along the way who offered camaraderie, friendship, advice and inspiration to get through to the light at the end of the tunnel. I am out the other side of the tunnel and the light is massively bright.

“MAN-UP? IT TAKES COURAGE TO TALK…”

: With hindsight, the signs of what was to come were there early-on in the relationship. Such as the power games for control, demands for a joint bank account only I paid into, the endless (ongoing) gaslighting, attempts to control my communications and finally the violence against me that led to the separation. It did not stop there. Post-separation financial abuse, over sixty false allegations and, still ongoing, use of our child as a pawn to cause emotional distress and exercise control.

My first understanding of what was happening, and what I now understand to be the stigmatic label of victim, was on a career course. I lied to the directing staff about how I got a black eye that had been observed. When it re-occurred, it became obvious my previous excuse was not going to hold water. Later, at an ill-fated attempt at relationship counselling, my ex and I were asked what we struggled with in the relationship. I said, “I cannot cope with the aggressive temper and violence.” Rather than this ringing alarm bells, the counsellor said, “let’s park that for now”, we did not return to it. This was, to me, the first sign of how badly our culture and society recognises Domestic Abuse and Violence against men. Sadly, the counsellor was just the first, amongst many, who did not take me seriously.

Many incidents, court hearings, denials of contact with our son and some horrendous false allegations led to me sinking into a dark and desperate place. A lot of damage had been done before I realised, I needed support. The stigma attached to the thought of coming forward to seek help for what had happened, not just as a man, but as an experienced serviceperson, compounded the stigma and made it more difficult. What would friends, peers and sub-ordinates think of me?

Our culture and society, particularly in the military context, do not encourage men to come forward and seek help. Instead, it is ingrained in us to “man up, don’t be weak.” Even in court and with social services, there was little being done. Dissuaded by the relationship counsellor, and even other professionals, who stated such as “men don’t suffer domestic abuse and violence” or “you must have done something to deserve it.” The worst being what I now know to be legally and factually incorrect, “women own children, she can do this.” It was not difficult to identify the gross imbalance between men and women in the level of support available and the attention each receives at every level.

Our cultural and societal expectations, coupled with the constant fear of repeated denial of child contact, were the greatest barriers to coming forward to seek help. If I had not, I dread to think where it could have ended, I was in a very low mood and had begun to think the worst. On reaching out to the traditional support agencies available, I found them mostly unable to help beyond signposting to each other as they had little in the way of resources. Our society does not have a balanced approach to this issue and it is time to normalise the conversation that needs to be had that men can, and do, suffer Domestic Abuse and Violence too.

In 2021/2022, of 2.4 million reports, 1 in 3 reports of Domestic Abuse were by men. 25% of male victims consider taking their own lives. Across the country, there are only 277 refuges/safe houses that can support men. Of those, only 92 are dedicated solely for men. It is reported that 1 in 6 men will be victims of Domestic Abuse through their lives. For our Armed Forces of around 186,000 personnel (of which 91% are male) this equates to over 28,000 men. Comparable to an entire one of our services! The potential impact on our Armed Forces and their ability to operate is breathtaking.

For me, it was engagement with SSAFA, certain elements of my chain of command and the medical centre that started an upwards progression, and these agencies were, and still are, hands down the most effective for my circumstances. Much like the recent new approach to Mental Health, one of the most effective support mechanisms I came across was that of my friends and peers in the military. A peer-to-peer support network is sorely needed, but first the barrier of the cultural stigma needs to be broken down and for conversation to occur to encourage other male survivors and victims to come forward and seek help.

If you need support

If you are in immediate danger or your life is being threatened, you are strongly advised to call 999.

You can make a silent phone call to the police

Dial 999 then press 55 when prompted –visit bit.ly/press55 for more information.

If you need to talk to someone…

If you want to access support over the phone, you can call:

National Domestic Abuse Helpline – for women and children subject to domestic abuse - 0808 2000 247 (run by Refuge)

The Men’s Advice Line, for male domestic abuse survivors – 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect)

National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse

Helpline – 0800 999 5428 (run by Galop)

Samaritans (24/7 service) – 116 123

WomensAid provide plenty of online ways to access support and links to local services where you live.

The Mankind Initiative an alternative helpline for men being abused by a current or former partner 01823 334244

If you are experiencing difficulties accessing your children

Citizens Advice offer support and signposting to help you to make formal or legally binding arrangements so that you see your children. There is more information here: bit.ly/childarrangements

https://childlawadvice.org.uk

For more information and resources

www.raf-ff.org.uk/health/domestic-abuse

Here comes THE SUN

By | The Revd Dr (Sqn Ldr) Chris Hodder

I love spring. The temperatures warm up, spring flowers reappear in their annual miracle of rebirth, you can open the windows at home more to bring fresh air in, the impetus to tidy and clear out the home comes, and with longer days we get more sunlight and all the benefits that brings.

All of us who have experienced the joys (!) of our copious online training courses will be well aware of the dangers of the sun, whether the dangers of overheating or concern about the burn damage prolonged exposure can bring to the skin. It is right to be aware of those - wear sunscreen, everyone - but we also know that getting out and getting the right amount of sun can bring real benefits too.

Vitamin D production is boosted by UVB photons as they penetrate the skin. This helps all sorts of things in the body, but certainly studies have shown that it helps our bones and immune system.

Sunlight and darkness also trigger the release of hormones in our brains. Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin. Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused. At night, darker lighting triggers the brain to make another hormone called melatonin. This hormone is responsible for helping you sleep.

We produce melatonin better if we have had sufficient exposure to natural light, especially in the morning, which helps us sleep better later on, and lowers stress levels.

This spring, as the weather warms up, how can you encourage your families and colleagues to get outside a bit – particularly in the morning – and harvest some photons?

You could:

• Get those running shoes back on and blow out the cobwebs – why not set a 5 or 10k target?

• Encourage people to leave their desks for a short 30-minute wellbeing walk once a week?

• Eat lunch or have a tea and toast style spring standeasy outside when weather permits

• Renovate or obtain some benches or outside seating near your work area to allow for short photon grabbing breaks?

Best of all – although I know it is more limited in some parts of the world than others – sunlight is free!

Jasmine and Dahlia, aged 4 & 10

Jasmine loved the colourful pictures of the kites and she picked the octopus and dragon kites as her favourites. She said that the book was sad but gets happy at the end as the boy works through his angry feelings. Jasmine liked that everyone learnt to play together as she does at school.

Dahlia liked the colourful kites and she really liked the story. It is ok to be angry or lonely but you have to work through this to be happy again. This is important for a military child when they move schools. The little boy had a bird as a friend and by observing the world, he learnt that people can be different and that is ok. In the story the grandparents help the little boy build a kite. Your family can help you when you need it. With mum working away in the week, sharing books is always a highlight for our family. The book explores how a little boy feels when he is told he is too small to play with the other children and when he tries to play with them, the older children get annoyed and the little boy gets angry. The story explores his feelings and how he realises everyone is different and can play together nicely. A lesson which is taught through a lovely story with good illustrations.

For this Spring’s Book Corner we asked RAF youngsters to tell us what they think of Flying High by Cao Wenxuan & Yu Rong, published by UCLan Publishing, price £8.99.

Eva & Isla, aged 8 & 6

Eva said she loved the book. She also liked how the boy's friend Wawa encouraged him to be big and brave. Her favourite part was when his grandparents helped him to make a kite and when he realised it was okay to be different. She thought it was a lovely story. Isla said she loved all of the pictures in the book and especially the bright colours of all the kites. She didn't like when the bullies were being mean to the boy. Her favourite part was when the boy was happy at the end.

Take part in Reading Force and share books with your family

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 scrapbook or teen journal 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.

Jasmine and Dahlia

PRIZES TO BE WON

To win any of these prizes, simply follow the instructions below... Good luck!

WIN A CHILDREN'S BOOK!

My Mummy’s/Daddy’s an Aviator

by Talula Grey

These books have been written for children with a parent in the Royal Air Force, of primary school age, who experience their parent going away on deployment. The books are designed specifically to answer questions young children have about what happens on operations and put to rest their fears and worries. Questions the books aim to answer are:

• Why does my mummy/daddy have to go away?

• Is it dangerous? Will Mummy/Daddy be safe?

• What do they do on operations?

• Is Mummy/Daddy lonely?

• Is our family ok whilst Mummy/Daddy is away?

• When is Mummy/Daddy coming home?

The book can also be used as an educational resource to teach all children about the Royal Air Force and help them to support friends who may have a parent on deployment.

The books, and those for Army and Naval families, are available to buy on Amazon: Visit Amazon and search for ‘Talula Grey’

To be in with a chance of winning one of these books, email enquiries@raf-ff.org. uk, putting ‘SPRING Envoy Book Prize’ in the subject line, followed by your name and address in the body of the email. PLEASE specify which version of the book you would like the ‘Mummy’s’ or ‘Daddy’s’ version.

£20 AMAZON GIFT VOUCHERS READER OFFER

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 ‘SPRING Envoy Voucher Prize’ in the subject line, followed by your name and address in the body of the email.

THE SMALL PRINT!

The prize draws

Association, publishers, printers

any other organisations,

5TO WONBE

An established 150 year history with forces families

Clifton College (A leading co-educational day and boarding school for 3 - 18 year olds) is proud of the support it provides to the children of parents in the British Armed Forces and personnel from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office. Standardised fees after CEA from £1,000 - £2,000 per term.

Book a personal tour or attend one of our open days to have a look around!

A School That Cares for Service Families

School life for children and young people in service families can be challenging, as they face frequent moves, deployments, separations, and transitions that can affect their learning and wellbeing. Finding the right educational environment is vitally important, and that is why North Wales coeducational independent school Rydal Penrhos goes above and beyond to deliver the very best for service children.

At Rydal Penrhos, service children are not only welcomed, but celebrated. The school has a range of specific support measures available to help service children, including daily bus transportation and an outstanding pastoral support network, containing a dedicated point of contact for service families.

Rydal Penrhos is a Ministry of Defence (MOD) approved school, which means that it accepts children of service personnel who are eligible for the Day School Allowance (North Wales) or the Continuity of Education Allowance. The school is also a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, and works closely with SSCE Cymru, who support the education of service children in Wales.

With limited spaces available, apply now to guarantee your child’s place. Contact Rydal Penrhos today at admissions@rydalpenrhos.com or on 01492 530155.

Create a safe and secure world, together

This is Babcock’s purpose. It defines our strategy, what we do and how we do it. We provide a range of products and services which enhance defence capabilities, helping our customers achieve their missions. We help military and civil customers around the world to cost effectively improve the capability, reliability and availability of their most critical assets.

We know that in your military career, you have been committed to helping create a safe and secure world too. That’s why Babcock would like to hear from you. The skills and experience you have gained during your Service could be the perfect fit to help us support our customers.

We have an enviable track record of supporting service leavers into challenging and rewarding careers and 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.

Are you or someone you care about finding it tough? We are holding mental wellbeing training courses online for non-serving members of the RAF community.

Whatever your connection to the RAF, our tailored courses will help you learn practical steps to overcome some of the most difficult challenges you may face.

Participation is completely confidential. Book your free place today.

Wycliffe has over 130 years of experience supporting Forces Families, providing a stable education throughout key developmental stages.

Our high-quality boarding facilities offer outstanding pastoral care for Forces children aged 7 – 19.

We support the Continuity of Education Allowance Scheme, meaning Military parents only pay 10% of school fees, with Wycliffe covering the remaining amount through a Forces’ Bursary.

Inspiring young minds to write their own stories.

Scan QR code to visit admissions.

Wycliffe

wycliffe.co.uk