RAF RESERVES RECRUITING NOW •Just 27 days ayear commitment •Over40rewarding roles •Opentoages 18 to 54 •Competitiverates of payand non-contributorypension •Paid leave •Annual tax free bounty •Gain transferable qualifications •Travel, sport and adventurous training opportunities

Search RAFRecruitment 0345 606 9069 /rafrecruitment @RAF_Recruitment CONTACT 1 Te lephone: 01780 781650 Welcome email: [email protected] Website: raf-ff.org.uk from the editor

Envoy –The magazine of the RAF Families Iamstill enjoying having so many approaches for CoNTeNTs Federation, published 4times ayear. articles on new or updated areas of support available To have your FREE copy delivered to you all as serving personnel or family members – quarterly to your home, and in mixed areas of interest. Simply subscribe online: Ialso can’t share enough that despite our logo perhaps raf-ff.org.uk/publications/envoy-magazine leading you to believe we are just here for the traditional family,weare actually here for ALL personnel –soifyou are single, married, aregular or a director: Maria Lyle reserve, this magazine builds each quarter with you all in mind. Communications Manager: Caroline An area that is particularly growing at the moment is support around Woodward spousal employment. More businesses are approaching us to promote Communications Assistant: Nick Crouch that they are forces friendly employers and not only that, much of the operations and Policy Manager: pre-employment and business start-up training that is offered is fully Lisa Thipthorp funded! So whether you are serving or afamily member,life is tough at times and Ihope you can use Envoy as away to find out what’s there for evidence Assistant (Housing): you to tap into. And if what you are looking for isn’t in here –doemail Stan Brathwaite me and Iwill see what Ican find. Tr ansition liaison Manager: Louise Briggs Stan, our accommodation and housing expert shares his latest news. There’s dispersed Families Project Manager: also apretty crucial update from the Forces Pension Society on the change To rJohnson of rules to the AFPS 05 and AFPS 15 pension office Manager: Ruth McClelland schemes –soworth noting and checking you are all up to date on your own personal details. Published quarterly by Method Publishing, adivision Enjoy the magazine. of Scottish Provincial Press Limited, on behalf of Envoy Front cover: To rnado GR4 farewell photo flight over the North Sea and RAF Marham on Design and Ty pography: Wednesday 23rd January 2019. ©Crown copyright 2019. ©Method Publishing 2019 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 CONTENTS email [email protected] FEATURES 8 Calling all Envoy magazine readers: The RAF Museum needs you! 10 Working in the NHS –Step into Health 19 FEDERATION The RAF Families Federation is an independent 14 Accommodation Matters 34 New mental wellbeing support organisation parented by the RAF Association 18 Lifing the Lid on Tr ansition service helps more than 20 The RAF Overseas Experience 300 people 22 Supporting our Armed Forces 35 Anew mental health support Children in Schools training course for RAF Families FINANCIAL OF INTEREST 26 Change of Rules: To the AFPS 05 36 Welcome to Scotland: Resources &AFPS 15 Schemes available rafa.org.uk HEALTH &WELLBEING 37 Air Tattoo set to be out of this Registered charitynumber 29 Anyone for aCookie? world England and Wales 226686 Scotland SCO37673 31 Families on Facebook: Apoem 38 Narrowboat holidays on the 32 Deployment: What is Leeming Flyer! The RAF Families Federation is supported by deployment and what support is 39 The Services’ Cotswold Centre the RAF Benevolent Fund on offer? in Wiltshire

rafbf.org Registered charitynumber England and Wales 1081009 35 37 Scotland SCO38109 SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 2

PROTECTYT YOOUURRF FAMILY’S FUTURE FORFREE

IntroducingThe RoyalBritish Legion’s FREE Will Writingservice Keepinganup-to-dateWillisthe only waytotakecareofyourfamilyif you’re no longer there.ItisThe RoyalBritish Legion’s pleasuretohelp membersofthe Servicecommunitydothisbyofferingyou a FREE Will Writingservice.

Youdonot havetoinclude theLegioninyourWilltouse this servicebut if youdodecidetoleave alegacytothe Legion you’ll be playingacrucial role in protecting those in need within the ArmedForcescommunity.

Even asmall portionofyourEstatecould help us provideeverythingfrom home adaptationsfor an injuredveteran like Mark Stonelake to specialist dementia care in one of ouraward-winningLegionCareHomes. Once you haveprovidedfor your lovedones, please consider helping us to be there “It’sahs a huugege formembers of the ArmedForcesfamilywho need us. comfort toto know Find out more or request acopy of our Will Guide at theLegion’ssupport www.rbl.org.uk/freewills will neverstop.” Contact the Legion’slegacy manager at Mark Stonelake,who lost hisleftleg followinganImprovisedExplosive [email protected] or call 020 3207 2253 Device (IED)explosion in Afghanistan.

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SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk seems like areally good time • school Place Allocation: We still have asubstantial SPRING to update you all on some number of issues raised to us on this. Asurvey and 3 of the major themes where we will be focussing report have been done that will be released shortly, our efforts during this year.These themes come and we will be continuing to lobby both locally with the from the issues raised to us by individuals (in their relevant local councils, and also at policy level with the hundreds…. or thousands) through our website and Department of Education. diReCToR surveys. When we are out and about, we often hear • Health/Additional Needs: This is an area where we the same themes again –raised by Welfare teams have been supporting both single serving personnel and and line managers, as well as serving personnel and families for some time. This year it becomes afocus for their families: the work of the MOD Armed Forces Covenant Te am, and • Accommodation and Housing: This area still forms we want to ensure we fully understand the needs of the the bulk of individual queries that are raised to us. We RAF community and are well placed to support it. Another are working hard to shape the future contract for SFA Policy Advisor role will be focussed on this work too. maintenance based on our knowledge of the issues that Lastly,please keep an eye out for ashort piece in here from RAF families have experienced. Also, to help us deal To rJohnson who is leading for us on the Dispersed Families with the current questions people have –and ensure research project. The first stage of her report will be that we are supporting all RAF personnel, including published very shortly.The next stage of her work will look those in SLA –wewill recruiting another member to at the experiences of those posted overseas, with the aim our team to help us. of identifying best practice, and areas where the provision • Childcare: Availability and cost of childcare is and processes could be further akey concern for us. There is some hard work improved. She will be looking going on within the RAF and MOD focussed on for people to speak to, and how childcare provision can be improved, and we circulating ashort survey. believe it is so important for families when tackling If this is relevant to you, the demands of service life. Iamdiscussing this then please keep your with the Armed Forces Select Committee and a eye out and support Policy Advisor role has been established that has this work. childcare as part of the remit. Maria lyle DIRECTORFROM THE

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SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk 5 FoRewoRd

FOREWORD Chief of Defence Staff - General Sir Nicholas Patrick Carter KCBCBE DSO ADC Gen

As acountry, we ask much of our militarypeople whoare always available for anycontingencyatany time and whoproudlygiveof their service at unlimited liability. Fulfilling thatdutyisoften to the detriment of time with family.

Separation is tough, both for those who are the new Veterans strategy,the extension away from home and those who keep the of the Forces Help to Buy Scheme, the home running while also worrying about our evolution of the Future Accommodation safety.Personally,Ihave drawn great strength Model, the approach to mental health, from the long-suffering support of my family. transition and spousal employment, and in Knowing that they,and the families of those the commissioning of the study mapping the who serve with me, are being cared for while support available across our military families we are away is an essential part of being able that will report in the summer. to focus on the operational task. Our success has always depended on the 2019 brings both challenge and opportunity commitment and remarkable ability of our for our military family.Uncertainty about people, so my priority as the head of the proposed changes to the provision of Armed Forces is about maximising talent. housing and other terms and conditions Ifeel strongly that anyone who has served of service is unsettling. But together with their nation with honour,and their families, the Chief of the Air Staff and the other should be able to transition smoothly back Service Chiefs we are ensuring that your into civilian life and contribute fully to a interests are understood and accounted society that understands and values what they for as solutions are designed. Your views have done and what they have to offer.But are important and do make adifference. we need the public to understand us, and Please continue to engage with the surveys bring more people in touch with who we are, and make good use of the RAF Families what we do, and why we do it. So Iappeal to Federation and other forums to contribute you to help convey that understanding within to informing the future. Ihope you will see your local communities, and build astrong your views being properly recognised in support base for Defence.

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 6 News THE IN News

IN THE u

Social houses forformer Registration is open forThe Ameyworkonnational Defence Secretarysets servicemen and women Annington Challenge 2019 programme to upgrade the sightsonnextcenturyof with PTSD MOD estate British air power

Former service personnel suffering Open to all militarysons/daughters, Amey provide an update on a Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson from PTSD or other mentalillnesses will aged between11-19 yearsofage – national programmetohavesmart revealed thatBritain’scombat airpower be prioritisedfor social housing under experienceareal adventureand return meters installed in all domestic hasreached newheights whilstspeaking proposals published forconsultation by home with new-found confidence, propertieswithin the MOD estate in abrand-newhangar displaying one- Rt Hon James BrokenshireMP. teamwork skillsand friendships. by the end of 2020. hundred yearsoffighterjets. Armed Forces payaward Armed Forces Pension Successful military Help to Aguide to flexible working 2019 Scheme 2015 explained Buy scheme extended in theRAF

The Governmenthas askedthe Armed AFPS15pension entitlement starts Agovernment scheme to help The Armed Forces flexible working Forces PayReviewBody to conduct the accumulating from your first dayofpaid militarypersonnel getonthe housing bill came into playinFebruary, 2019 payround and submit their report service and provided youhavecompleted ladder has beenextended until the offering various optionstohelp containing their recommendations on at leasttwo yearsqualifying service youwill endof2019, Defence Secretary Gavin militarypersonnel achieve agood the 2019 payaward in early May. be eligible to receiveapension. Williamsonhas announced. work-life balance. Thinkingofapplyingfor an Ameyand DIO reflect on a 2019 Forces Pension Helping hand to setupnew Armed Forces Covenant year of changes Society Roadshow businesses grant? Programme

Nowopen forapplications towardsthe Tim Redfern, AmeyDirectorof The FPS group briefings lastfor Morethan 200,000 newbusinesses Local Grants Programmewherethe Defence,and Air Commodore approximately 60 minutes and have used anew one-stopcross- CovenantFund Trustgrant up to £20k for Wendy Rothery, the DIO’s Head of describe our work andits value to governmentservice allowingnew local projects thatsupport community Accommodation, veha beenreflecting serving and retired membersofthe start-upstoregistertheir company and integration or local deliveryofservices. on the pastyear’s achievements. Armed Forces andtheir dependants. also registerfor tax at the same time. Defence Minister signs Did youknowthatdrone Online video courses with Howthe ArmedForces £250Maircraftdeal, technologyisovera LifeWorks Covenant can support sustaining 450jobs century old? Reservists

Defence MinisterStuart Andrew The Imperial WarMuseum shares If 2019 is the year forfinding work, The Armed Forces Covenantishereto has announcedthe MOD has thatitmay feel like drones have LifeWorkshas some greatonlinecourses support youinyour role as areservist, signeda£250 million deal to only come into existence in the past to build your confidenceand getyou up helpingyou to balance your civilian work support the RAF’s intelligence- decade but did youknowthatdrone and runningwithout leaving the comfort withbeing part of thearmed forces and gathering Shadowaircraft fleet. technology is over acentury old? of your ownhome/daily commitments. this section cansharewith youhow.

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk Further details on all these stories can be found on 7

raf-ff.org.uk News IN THE Search for the headlines on our website

FDISHousingreport2018 Defence Secretary Dateannounced forRed RAF releasesstunning available online commissions newreport Arrows American tour images of iconic Tornado fast jet

We arereally grateful to the 973 Anew study thatwill assess the Astart date has beenconfirmed The RoyalAir Forcehas released personnel and familymembers support available to military forthe historic RoyalAir Force stunning images of aunique who filled in theFutureDefence families hasbeen commissioned Aerobatic Team (the RedArrows) aircraft formationtocelebrate forty Infrastructure Services survey –itis by Defence Secretary Gavin tour of the USAand Canada. yearsofservicebythe Tornado nowavailable to read online. Williamson. GR4 fast jet. Probate applications made LivinginSFA?Haveyou Support to enhance mental Hawker Typhoon is backon simplerand easier with taken out Licence to wellbeing and combat displayinHangar 3 online service Occupyinsurance? isolation

The service enablespeople to Areminder forthose who maybeliving RAF BenevolentFund report finds that The Typhoon wasdesigned by Sydney apply,pay and swear astatement in SFAfor the first time.When yousigned challenges our serving RAF and their Cammasasuccessor to the Hurricane. of truth online –savingtime and your Property Acceptance Certificateyou partners areexperiencing includemental Poweredbythe mostpowerfulengine offeringconvenience to those acknowledged your agreement to your wellbeing difficulties, social isolation and available at the time, the Typhoon was dealing with abereavement. Licence to Occupythe property. partneremployment opportunities. faster than anyRAF aircraftatlow altitude.

British Forces PostOffice’s TopTips

• Post early forspecial occasions to avoid disappointment! • Check your item isn’t oversize or overweight forthe BFPO you’re sending to. Remember that parcels to Ops must be under 2kg! • Check which items are prohibited -ifyou don't, you'll face the delay or non-delivery of your items. • Package carefullytoprevent damage - especially liquids, to avoid leaks. • Never send mail to aservice person youdon’t know - this could stop mail getting through from loved ones. • We'reheretohelp! Get in touchatDESBFPO- [email protected] or on 0345 769 7978 with any queries. For information on sending BFPO mail, including size limits and items you can't send, visit ourwebsite: www.gov.uk/bfpo @HQBFPO

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 8

The RAF Museum has

AlN l eNv All CAlliNg FEATURE recently launched ‘RAF Calling Stories’. It is an oral history project which digitalizes and makes accessible engaging, historical and contemporary all Envoy stories of people’s personal connections to the RAF and oy the service’s influences on ReAdeRs their lives. MagazinE Over the last months, the Museum has captured stories up and down the country with hundreds now available online for the public to view.Bycalling out to the public to share their stories, the Museum has expanded its reach, capturing rEadErs … stories, whether that be about courage, love, tragedy, friendship, bravery,triumph, humour,happiness, sadness and everything in between. To gether this catalogue of stories will expand and enrich our understanding of the RAF today. the Royal “A ll stories help to widen our understanding of aiR FoRce what’s it like to be apart of or influenced by the RAF.” Taking the lead on this project is RAF Museum Community MuseuM Engagement Officer, Officer,J Jessess Boydon:Boydon: “We are looking for stories from anyone with a connection to the Royal Air Force. You could be a current serviceman needs or servicewoman, a veteran, an air cadet, have family links to the RAF or any other connection. You could describe in detail a training course you had been on, or recall that one memorable night on the tiles with your mates. All stories help to widen our understanding of what’s it like to be a part of you! or influenced by the RAF. We really hope the good readers of Envoy magazine will take up the opportunity to share their RAF story with us through our RAF Stories Online App.”

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk Many amazing stories have been shared, from aHarrier fighter pilot during the 9 Falklands war or aWAAF who worked as aplotter during the Battle of Britain to aformer Senior Aircraftsman who has travelled the world with his pet ferret, ReAdeRs

Bandit. One quite touching story was told FEATURE

by Candida Adkins who as achild and oy before bed was told how to fly aSpitfire by her mother,Air Tr ansport Auxiliary pilot Jackie Moggridge. She was told the controls of the Spitfire were very sensitive: “if you want to turn right, just think it, don’t move

and you will turn”. Many years later,when CAlliNg All eNv her mother died, Candida thought it would be agood idea to scatter her ashes from ata twin-seatwin-seat Spitfi Spitfire re fl yflyinging over overthe local the local Jackie Moggridge as an ATA pilot aerodrome. When in the air, air,t thehe during the Second World War. Candida pilot asked her for the first ©RAF Museum time in the Spitfire to take over and ©RAF Museum Candida, never CoNTRiBuTiNg is eAsy haven fl flown own a a plane in her life, All you need is asmartphone (Android or Apple) remembered to download the free app. Signing up is simple and her mother’s straightforward. Youcan start right away or go through a words “just think, dry run before you start creating your story.There’s the don’t move” option for either audio or to upload apre-recorded video and it went from your camera onto the app. Once you’ve recorded beautifully to the or uploaded your media the Story Builder is there to add right. The pilot more information to your story.You can make your story commented “oh richer by providing ata title,itle, asa shorthort description, select what my goodness, you emotions or values your story carries, when and where are your mother’s your story took place and more. This information will help daughter!” us surface your story to readers once it’s published on the RAF Stories website (rafstories.org).

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SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 10 oKN NTeNHs THe iN woRKiNg FEATURE WoRking in the –step into

When people think about job roles in Jane o’Brien, aPractice educator for dorset County healthcare, the ones which generally spring Hospital NHs Foundation Tr ust shares… to mind are doctors, nurses, midwives and paramedics. While plenty of staff are needed In 2007, after five years’ service Ileft the RAF –Ithought Iknew to fill those invaluable roles, and many in the what to expect as a‘military wife’ working within the NHS….I Armed Forces community already do those was wrong! It can be abumpy ride and one that is very unique jobs, did you know there are actually 350 and underestimated. different careers available in the NHS? Moving is hard. We are committed to being afamily unit, but The range of roles offered within the NHS is vast, from frontline this entails sacrifices. Relocation means anew job and this clinical staff to project managers, healthcare scientists and can result in you leaving amuch loved position. Prior to this the huge support workforce such as electricians, secretaries, posting, Ihad ajob within aspecialised department at The accountants, gardeners and chefs who keep the ship afloat. Royal Papworth Hospital, it was such asmall field (pulmonary Don’t forget that not all jobs in healthcare are based in hospitals hypertension) and Ihad no chance of continuing in this when we either.You could work in aGPsurgery,apharmacy,an moved. This was tough as it was ajob Iadored, it took some ambulance trust or amental health service provider. time for me to adjust and settle in anew role after relocating. Career progression can be stunted The Step into Health programme as you can work hard to establish works with NHS employers to yourself in arole -only to move provide adedicated pathway for ihave gained and start all over again. Additionally, the Armed Forces community you can miss out on promotion to access the numerous career opportunities due to moving, but opportunities available in the NHS. some incredible Ifeel this is countered by abroad range of experience in different Gemma Wright, Armed Forces experience clinical settings. It helps to see the programme lead at Step into silver linings! Health said: “Veterans and their families are aperfect fit for roles in and made some At our previous two locations, the NHS and have atremendous Iwas fortunate to have agood amount of skills and attributes to amazing friends network of friends –postings offer,such as adaptability,planning, were reasonably close together organising, dealing with change, along the way. so we could still meet regularly. emotional resilience and being able Our next move was hundreds of to work under pressure. Jane o’Brien miles, so these friendships became ‘long distance’ and Ihave felt quite “Employers in the NHS are isolated. This makes finding agood welcoming contacts through Step into Health, so if you haven’t job even more important, as it is the main way to make friends already,it’s really worth considering acareer in the NHS.” and develop asupport network –this is something Imost Youcan find details of employers running the programme on missed in 2018 when my husband was deployed. It’s the first the Step into Health website. There are also links on the site to time Ihave felt alone and this had an impact on both me and Health Careers, where you can explore the different roles and my five year old son. However Iwas fortunate in that my line apprenticeships open to you. manager was incredibly supportive and this was ahuge relief. Flexible working can be a If you’re at the point of looking for anew role, the NHS Jobs constant worry due to lack website can also help you find roles within aparticular area and of support and reliance there is arange of supportive guides on how to apply for roles on childcare and this in the NHS. can prevent Whatever your skills and experience, it’s likely the NHS needs spouses within people just like you. As the NHS celebrates its 70th birthday, the NHS could you be part of its future? from taking

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk 11 the FEATURE HealtH woRKiNg iN THe NHs

permanent contracts. There is also that dreaded moment in interviews when they ask “how long will your husband be posted here for?” Youcan’t help but worry that this will impact on your employability. My current Tr ust (Dorset County Hospital) is quite unique in that it has aVoluntary Veterans Network which aims to promote veterans’ welfare alongside the Armed Forces Covenant and it is enjoyable to work within an organisation which actively supports veterans. Iwould love to see more trusts adopt this approach, raising awareness for the challenges we can face. Overall, working as anurse in the NHS is incredibly rewarding, I have gained some incredible experience and made some amazing friends along the way.Ihave recently discovered we are due to move again in the summer –Ihhaveave to be honest and say that Ican’t help but be excited about anew challenge! Further information •militarystepintohealth.nhs.uk •jobs.nhs.uk

Jane O’Brien

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 12

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION

Be recognised for your professionalism and expertise

WITH YOU NOW The Institution of Engineering and Technology AND FOR THE REST OF (IET) recognises that the Armed Forces train their YOUR CAREER personnel to achieve high standards at all times. If you’re interested in becoming amember of Professional registration the IET and to start the process to becoming Professional registration provides formal recognition of your professionally registered, you can contact us military skills and experience and shows that you have in one of three ways: demonstrated continual professional competence to ahigh, internationally recognised standard throughout your career. Text IETMOD and your full name to The IET is licenced by the Engineering Council to award: 62277** and we’ll call you back Chartered Engineer (CEng) Incorporated Engineer (IEng) Call +44(0)1438 767648 Engineering Technician (EngTech) Email [email protected] ICT Technician (ICTTech) **Free text line, no charges apply. Special Registration Agreements (SRAs) SRAs benchmark certain career pathways* against the requirements for professional registration, creating a www.theiet.org/armed-forces streamlined application process. *Visit www.theiet.org/armed-forces to see if you meet the SRA criteria.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology is registered as aCharity in England &Wales (no 211014) and Scotland(no SC038698),Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, SG1 2AY, United Kingdom.

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk 13

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 14 AC FEDERATION CoMMod accoMMoDation AT o MATTeRs ioN MatteRs by stan Brathwaite, RaF FF housing specialist

we look RAF and have -orare about to -lose their forward to entitlement to SFA. These cases are few but the increasing cause us great concern. In the cases of the As daylight hours potential of being ‘homeless’ we welcome the of Spring Iwould like following initiatives to help to alleviate the to reflect on the most problem: profound and troubling of issues that arrive in our social Housing - Recent Accommodation initiatives - mythical mailbag here at Former service personnel suffering from PTSD or other the Families Federation. mental illnesses will be prioritised for social housing under The usual culprits are new proposals. New measures could help councils ensure naturally the day-to- that members of the Armed Forces and veterans suffering day response to maintenance problems that from mental ill health are given the right priority for social families encounter.However there are also housing. They will be prioritised for social housing under cases of Additional Needs and Adaptations, proposals published for consultation by Communities and also cases of families that are exiting the Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP.

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk 15 divorced partners of Armed Forces personnel will also benefit for the first time. The measures will also help people who divorce or separate from their partners in the Armed Forces by ioN MATTeRs

exempting them from rules requiring FEDERATION them to be alocal resident before being AT given aproperty. While the majority of military personnel transition successfully into civilian life, CoMMod an overhaul of the system will also mean AC all applicants for social housing will be asked if they have served in the Forces at the outset of the process to ensure veterans get the help they are entitled to. All the details on these proposals can be found online: gov.uk/government/ news/james-brokenshire-prioritises- social-houses-for-former-servicemen- and-women-with-ptsd Future defence infrastructure services (Fdis) - FDIS Survey update – In our Winter edition of the Envoy I mentioned that FDIS is the framework from which amaintenance contract for the next generation of accommodation will be managed. Interested companies have had the opportunity to bid for the contract. FDIS is intended to avoid many of the pitfalls that beset the current contract, and more importantly puts families first in the execution of the service. We were invited to contribute in developing the scope of the contract on behalf of families. We were delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate and you have our assurance that we will represent your views when and where we can. We finalised our FDIS Housing Report at the beginning of January and presented it to the FDIS Project Te am at Andover. We were also involved in evaluating specific questions and answers from bidders for the contract.

The survey ran from 05 to 30 Nov 18 and we attracted 973 respondents and that provided over 2000 comments. These findings bear out the casework on accommodation of the issues that most causes families to put pen to paper and complain. The analysis of the Report, along with the equivalent reports from the Naval FF and Army FF will help to forge the next accommodation maintenance contract. This is of significant importance because it is the first time that families have been consulted for their views aheadofa contract let. Our gratitude to all those that took the time to complete that survey last year and we have published the full report online: The report can be found online: raf-ff.org.uk/publications/raf-ff-reports/. We would like to say thank you to all RAF family members that had completed the survey.Please also do not hesitate to continue to contact us on any issue that causes you concern by calling us on 01780 781650 or emailing through our online form: raf-ff.org.uk/contact/report-issue-form.

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 16 Working hard foryour family

We know just howimportantfamily is. With your support, we can lend serving parents ahelping hand and keep families connectedwhen dutycalls them away. Become amember for just £2! per year.

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CIVVY STREET NEEDS YOUR HELP. If you are about to leave the Forces and have EX –SERVICES? time to spare, come and work as apart-time volunteer for charity. LOOKING FORRETIREMENT The organisational skills you learned can be of ACCOMMODATION? vital importance to the successofavoluntary organisation –and help give you anew lease Rented flats forex-Service personnel, their of life into the bargain! spouses/ partners,widows/ widowers, parents or children aged 60 or over. REACH provides afree job-finding service throughout the UK and could find you a NationalServicemen, former Reserve Force satisfying, voluntary opportunity nearby. membersand ex MOD civilian employees are welcomed,suchasRoyal FleetAuxiliary(RFA). Phone for details or visit our website at https://reachvolunteering.org.uk We have sheltered housing schemes in Portsmouth, Southsea, Fareham and Gosport. CESSAHousing AssociationLtd Enquiries to:02392 829319 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP. [email protected] Tel: 020 7582 6543 Registered Charity No 278837 www.cessaha.co.uk

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk 17 Have youtailored your pension to suit your family’s needs?

Howyou caninfluenceyour pension the interests of our Members and theyare provided by Youmay be surprised at the numerous ways youcan trusted affiliateswho meet the highest standards we set influencethe value of your pension and its suitabilityfor forourselves. youand your family’s needs.You also have options about howand when youdrawit, howmuch of alump sum you want on departurefromthe Forcesand whathappens if youbecome aReservist.But you’ll be surprised at how straightforward manyofthe options are, such as Pension Top-ups. Choosingwhentoleave (and when not to)can have areally Independent, not-for-profit beneficial (or negative) impactonthe value of your pension. Independenceiscritical to our work.Wecall governments When youjoin the ForcesPension Society, we help you to accountwherever we spot unfairness or injusticein becomeaware of your pension options and entitlements. the Armed ForcesPension Schemes and we campaignfor You’ll receiveour regular e-newsletters with up-to-the- improvements on behalf of the whole militarycommunity. minuteinformation, our bi-annual Members’magazine Recognition of our unique role has led to morethan 50,000 Pennant –agreat read plus awhole section dedicatedto people discovering the value of joining us. pensions. Andofcourse when you’re in need of serious guidanceyou’llhaveaccess to our pension experts. Join us online today Make the rightchoicebyjoining us today. Annual More benefits of membership membership foryou and your spouse/partner costs just Our Members have access to awide and growing range £39. When youjoin us online,quote of discountedproducts and services.These include promo code ENV2019 and we’ll exceptional no-age-limit travel insurance, discounts on send youafreevoucher worth new cars,whitegoods,pet insurance, best-in-class health £150 off aRambling &Adventure insurance, low-cost moneytransfers,cruises -the list holiday. (T’s &C’s apply).Visit goes on.What theyhaveincommon is thattheyreflect www.forcespensionsociety.org IT PAPAYYSS TO UNDERSTANDUNDERSTAND YOYOURUR PENSIONPENSION Forces Pension Society

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SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 18 iTN H i NTRANsiTioN oN lid THe liFTiNg FEDERATION Lifting the Lid on Transition –The families’ experience and the supportthey need By louise Briggs, transition liaison Project Manager

It’s hard to believe that over two years have gone by,but in 2016, Istarted work on atwo year,tri-service research project together with the Naval and Army Families Federations to undertake research into families’ experiences of transition out of the LIFTING THE LID ON Armed Forces and to make recommendations TRANSITIO on support they need. N The families On 1st November 2018, our report was published by the ’e xperience and the support Forces in Mind Tr ust and you can find it online: fim-trust. they need org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Transition-Final- Report-FiNAl-oNliNe.pdf more information on the Tr ansition pages can be found on the RAF Families Federation website of the RAF Families Federation website. Our report is the first to specifically look at the lived experience of service families, and reveals the complex nature of transition.

army families federation

THe RePoRT Tells us: Put feelers on LinkedIn to get asa senseense of opportunities for work for the service leaver.Itall helps to get in the • Families are affected by transition as well as the service mindset…” RAF family leaver. We are enormously grateful to everyone who has helped • Tr ansition is about more than just employment – over the course of the project –the families who have housing, health, education, finances and wellbeing are all given us their time and benefit of their experiences and the factors as well. organisations who have so willingly engaged with us. • Support needs to be available to families, not just the service leaver.Families want to be involved and to help. what is the RAF Families Federation doing? • The more afamily prepares in advance for civvy street, •Wehave developed new resources to help families the more successful the transition. (and service personnel) –all available on the transition • It’s never too early to prepare for life outside the RAF. pages of our website. The fact that aservice person will leave one day is •Our new Families Tr ansition Guide ‘Departures’ will be perhaps one of the only certainties of service life! Visit available soon through our website and in hard copy. our website for more information and tips to get started: raf-ff.org.uk/transition/ •With the continued support of FiMT we have been able to continue to work to influence key service • Unexpected doesn’t have to be unplanned –ifyou providers to better benefit families in transition and to have given some thought to the future it will help raise awareness of what you have told us is needed. enormously when you leave, or especially when you leave unexpectedly. •Wewill continue to represent families and service leavers in this area, collecting evidence and seeking to influence policy makers and service delivery.So “Start early.Plan early,before resettlement starts if you do report your experiences and issues to us through can. Take about four years to get used to the idea, think completing our issues form online: raf-ff.org.uk/ hard about where you want to live if you can. Re-establish contact/report-issue-form/ links with civilian friends and family that you might be going to live near.Investigate civilian sources of help and advice.

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk Raylock, Chief 19 executive of the Forces in Mind Tr ust, said: “The process of transition is not solely Funded by the Forces in Mind Tr ust (FiMT) about the service personnel, it affects the a£35 million scheme run by the FiMT using entire family unit. What has become clear, an endowment by the Big Lottery Fund.

from the library of research funded by FiMT,is FEDERATION that the earlier planning for leaving the Armed Forces starts, the more successful and sustainable is the transition. “The recommendations within this report highlight the need to do more to ensure that the families of service personnel

are given the support required to liFTiNg THe lid oN TRANsiTioN successfully navigate the transition pathway.”

Maria lyle, director of the RAF FF said: “This piece of work is areally timely insight into how families can be better supported through the significant changes that occur during transition. Iknow that this work will be hugely helpful to both RAF,MOD and the new Defence Tr ansition Services as they look to understand how Waddington Families Day. they best help families prepare ©Crown Copyright (Sgt MJones) for the future.” goveRNMeNT &Mod offering aam moreore ‘holistic’ approach to planning for transition, develoPMeNTs helping serving personnel and families better prepare throughout The government has made anumber of announcements in career for life outside the forces. Our research showed that this late 2018 and this year,that affect service personnel and their is one of the key elements leading to successful transition. We families while they are still serving, in the process of leaving, and continue to represent families in this important area of policy afterwards. The Veterans’ Strategy,launched in November 2018, development through our meetings with Ministers and MOD included the announcement of anew tri service Tr ansition Policy, and we will keep you updated on developments.

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 20 H RAF THe FEDERATION ov ReseXPeRieNCe eRseAs

At the RAF Families Federation, we regularly hear from families We will ask for some basic details so that we can get in touch once in arange of overseas locations. Over the past four years we have the study is up and running* dealt with issues and queries relating to postings from the USA to The more responses we get, the better idea we will have of what Brunei, and from Norway to the Falklands! life is like for our overseas families, so you can also help us by We would now like to find out more about the RAF Overseas spreading the word with your colleagues, family and friends. Experience and this Spring we will be running an online survey and aseries of interviews. We are therefore looking for RAF personnel wHATwill we do wiTH THe ResulTs? and their families who are currently serving on overseas postings As ever your views are important to us! Once our data collection to take part in this study (or who have returned within the past is complete, we will examine the evidence that we have collected 12 months). Our focus will be on overseas accompanied postings, to identify the key benefits and issues associated with overseas but we would also welcome views from families who chose not to postings. As with all of our reports, all information will be accompany their RAF Serving person. presented in an anonymized and confidential format in line with We are carrying out this research as part of the ongoing RAF our Confidentiality Policy –itwill not be possible to identify you Dispersed Families Project, an initiative funded by the Chancellor or your family members through any information made available using LIBOR funds. outside of the RAF Families Federation. We will present our results to the RAF,MOD and other agencies, How CAN youTAKe PART? as appropriate. The views that you provide will help us to shape The survey will be going live on our website over the coming policy and to ensure that support for families living overseas weeks. We will advertise it via Facebook and Tw itter,soplease meets their needs. We appreciate that overseas experiences may follow us on these channels and subscribe to the eBulletin to depend on posting type and location, but if we receive enough make sure that you do not miss it. Interviews will run alongside responses then we may also be able to make recommendations the survey and will be conducted face-to-face, or by Skype or that are specific to these factors. telephone where needed. Youcan also get in touch with the Project Manager,Tor Johnson, suBsCRiBe To THe eBulleTiN to express an interest in taking part: • raf-ff.org.uk/publications/ Email: [email protected] • raf-ff.org.uk/privacy/confidentiality-policy/ Te lephone: 07773 968601 *Weare very protective of our families and will only use your details for which you have subscribed to and we will not share it with anyone else

Search for RAF Dispersed Families

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SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 22

uPRigoRAMdFRe HlRNi sCHools iN CHildReN FoRCes ARMed ouR suPPoRTiNg FEDERATION ouR suppoRtinG ARMEDFORCES CHILDREN in sCHools

The Armed Forces Covenant works in so wittering Headmaster,MrRhys Thrower adds: many ways to support our personnel and families, all aimed at ensuring the military “It’s tricky on postings as personnel don’t always get their community receives fair treatment whilst new SFAaddresses straight away and that can hugely being posted to new locations. One example hinder the school allocation process. We always like to talk is how the covenant supports service children to each family moving into area and advise on solutions in schools and the RAF Families Federation depending on their situation. paid avisit to Wittering Primary School to find out just how they manage it –and with “Wehave agood working relationship with our LA good results. in Peterborough and in addition to their process, Tw ofrequent asks that come into the Federation for we also do an in-house assessment (although it’s education-related advice is the allocation of school places not as formal as it sounds) for absolutely all of our for sons and daughters coming into areas on anew posting. children, whether service children or those from the The other is around Service Pupil Premium (SPP) and how, local community.Itgives us an immediate picture of practically that should work at school level and how the any emotional needs that we need to be aware of £300 per service child should be spent. as well as what stages in the curriculum they are at (some schools do different parts of the curriculum at Wittering Primary School provides state education to different stages of the school year so it’s not always some 330 children -two thirds of whom are service about capability). We can then map in any ‘catch-up’ children. Acohort of the staff grew up as service children sessions that may be needed. We also work themselves and so have lived the experience and feel can to abuddy system together with issuing a empathise with the memories of deployments, separation settling-in book which has notes in of and frequent family moves to different areas and the whole their new friends, where to go for new friend-making process that ensues. All of which some various events at school, thoughts children thrive on and others not so. and reflections. The book is kept in school for Each local authority (LA) has adifferent school admissions the first week process. Some are online, some are hard copy only and and then goes others are also only ‘manned’ during school term time. home for This, coupled with occasionally delayed Admin Orders families to (AO) to confirm postings can cause the process to become see.” quite cumbersome and stressful. SFAcannot be allocated until the AO is given and LAs can’t accept an application before ahome address is given so whilst that all sounds pretty straight forward, it can actually hold things up at various points and can result in avery short ‘move-in’ window which is very unsettling for the family. To add to this, there is also often adelay in the Common Tr ansfer File (CTF) which is used by schools and LAs to send pupil data from one school to another,ironically set in place to enable asmooth handover between schools. Wittering Primary School has worked with Peterborough LA and added its own mutually agreed internal process to join up the dots with the aim of inducting, integrating and settling in children from day one.

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk deputy Head, Mrs Charlotte Blake added: Mark adds:

“Wehave awellbeing club which is run at lunchtimes and “Wehave avery positive working relationship with 23 offers abreak from learning. Parents can come along too if Wittering Primary School and work closely on anumber they wish to –particularly any remaining parents of those of projects. We try to make transitions as smooth as deployed where time is short at home and it’s achance for we can with new arrivals to the school, ensuring they them to sit down and just do something easy but fun with contact Peterborough Schools their son or daughter.Wedraw, Admissions as early as possible colour –simple things to do to register aplace and we have FEDERATION that in turn, encourages natural information on which year conversation and keeps groups may be close to being those communication full. We also have astrong lines open. Things flex Service personnel with working relationship with the too as they need to with School Admissions team at changing needs etc. The childreninstate schools Peterborough City Council school has ‘a mind to be who are supportive of our kind’ culture that we instil in England have an annual service families and will help as in the children alongside a much as they can. ‘superflex’ approach and deadlineofmid-January it’s really been embraced to “Our Service Community the point that children now each year to notify Support Officer WO Neil ask about it.” Paylor and HIVE Information seRviCe PuPil schools of theirchildren’s Officer Sophie West also hold PReMiuM aweekly outreach session at suPPoRTiNg ouR ARMed FoRCes CHildReN iN sCHools eligibility forthe Service the Family Centre in order Mr Thrower added “In to meet families and support terms of how SPP is PupilPremium(SPP). with anumber of issues.” used by us here, we don’t pin it on aparticular The Clements family thing or service. As well as had agood experience of the wellbeing club, we use a obtaining school places Te aching Assistant’s time to help via Peterborough leA and the in-house assessment on entry wittering Primary school and to the school as well as monitoring share their experience: at breaks/lunchtimes and the intervention groups who do the mop-ups of phonics, maths, sentence structure etc –basically “Wewere living in South America when we received our where it’s needed. posting to Wittering. Icalled the LEA at Peterborough, who were very helpful as to how to go about selecting school We also work really closely with RAF Wittering’s options. They then suggested that, should Ibeinterested in Community Development Officer (CDO), Mark Davis, the school at Wittering, Icall the school directly.

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy

FFF AF ©R Pics are We chool place for and Mr Rhys Thrower (Head). as itely helped to Mrs Charlotte Blake (Deputy Head) n ulties with school place allocation. We are are ulties with school place allocation. We hese relationships have definitely helped to c ,t smooth the process. smooth the process. nd themselves in which has helped grateful to the relationships we have built over grateful to the relationships we have built and, time with covenant leads in Local Authorities thin be created from although school places can’t have defi these relationships air, our families improve understanding of the situations fi Need HelP? Need HelP? have lots The team at the RAF Families Federation The team at the RAFare having of experience supporting families who of Families experience Federation supporting have families lots whodiffi difficulties are with having school place allocation. grateful to the relationships wetime have with built covenant over leads inalthough Local school Authorities places and, can’t beair created from thin improve understanding of the situationsfind our themselves families in which has helped HIVE Information Officer who willadmissions advise contact. If youyou on school cannotyour access child and need supportsupport contact you your through CDO that who process.” will .In hild ac hort notice as amily has turned up af rtnership Board –a Pa hat you need –w elpline: 01980 lass. We est practice guide: Sh ac 2019 NFORMATION: ab emium nd so I or RI ue to the Pr -a esday and the children started school ,d chool place; if they know in advance SPRING raf-ff.org.uk osting this does put pressure on the school to Tu gov.uk/government/groups/ HE iday.” as ark Davis (who is also the Unit’s Armed Forces ap Fr ften raise school admissions issues at y ,M o RT eo hildren’s Education Advisory Service AF FF’s regional covenant support: he advice is contact the local authority and register ervice Pupil ervice children in state schools terborough Armed Forces handbook for teachers and other professionals: gov.uk/government/publications/ service-children-in-state-schools- handbook gov.uk/government/publications/the- service-pupil-premium (CEAS): the-childrens-education-advisory- service-ceas raf-ff.org.uk/armed-forces-covenant call its helpline CEA 618244 to know and also Covenant Champion) gets involved ifsnags: the process hits “W Pe is coming to the area they can plan more effectively oTHeR eleMeNTs How THeCDO RAF CAN HelP landed on on the dealt directly with them, as advised by the LEA. develop ages of my children attime, the there were spaces in the school children started school and the landed on Tuesday meetings. If service personnelAO receive for some situations but noton common, Monday morning assumingand their go child straight can into just turn up “Fortunately “T with the admissions team asdo soon not as have you details can, ofuse if your the you postal Station address, postcode please or contact your local •S FU •R •C •S env FEDERATION 24 suPPoRTiNg ouR ARMed FoRCes CHildReN iN sCHools 25

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We believe everyblind veteranshould be able to lead thelifetheychoose. Together we canhelprebuild lives. Find outmoreatblindveterans.org.uk

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SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 26 oCsPNiNsoCieTy PeNsioN FoRCes FINANCIAL

In this short article Mary Petley of the Forces Pension Society explains what happened next and looks at the BACK iN 2017 we rules as they stand now. Told youTHe sToRy Charlotte’s plight was taken up by the Society and we helped her make her case to the Pensions Ombudsman. Unfortunately,the oF CHARloTTe Pensions Ombudsman found that the MOD had behaved correctly as HugHes, AyouNg the wording of the rules meant that MOD had not got the discretion to ignore Sergeant Hughes’ original nomination form. However, widow wHose recognising the unfairness of Charlotte’s position, MOD have changed HusBANd HAd died. the AFPS 05 and AFPS 15 scheme rules to avoid the same thing happening to another widow or widower in the future. MOD honoured an old AFPS 75 did not need to be changed as it specifies exactly who is nomination form, paying eligible to receive any death-in-service lump sum or pension lump sum the death-in-service lump in the event of the member’s death -sothere is no ability to nominate. sum of over £120K to his Both AFPS 05 and AFPS 15 allow the member to nominate one or mate rather than his wife, more people or organisations as recipients. Nominations must be made on an AFPS Form 2and, if more than one person or organisation even though there was is nominated, it must be specified how the sum is to be divided. strong evidence to show Veterans UK will comply with the wishes expressed in the nomination from unless one of the following applies, in which case the original that that had not been his nomination will lapse: intention. • The nominee dies before the member; • The nominee is the member’s spouse or civil partner and the relationship is legally dissolved. The member may re-nominate the ‘ex’ after the decree absolute, should they so wish; • The member married or entered into acivil partnership from 1 December 2018 –and this is Charlotte’s Rule. If your marriage pre-dates the change, it worth checking that any existing nomination reflect the family’s current needs. • The nominee is convicted of the murder or manslaughter of the member (and potentially any other offences relating to the nominee killing or wounding of amember,depending on circumstances). Nominations are intended to make the member’s wishes clear and, where one exists, anomination means that Veterans UK can arrange swift payment to the nominee(s). Completion of an AFPS Form 2isparticularly useful in the case of unmarried partners, where Veterans UK will be looking for evidence of financial dependence or interdependence in order for the partner to qualify for apension. A nomination provides some evidence of the member’s intention to provide for his or her partner’s financial wellbeing and, as such, can help Veterans UK reach aspeedy conclusion. If there is no nomination, the lump sum will eventually go to the spouse or civil partner,or unmarried partner or,failing that, to the estate. Speed of payment is the obvious advantage but there is adanger that an old neglected nomination could result in the payment going speedily to the wrong person!

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk 27 FINANCIAL

Once amember becomes aveteran, there may still be pension lump sums due in the event of their death. For FoRCes PeNsioN soCieTy example, AFPS 05 awards apension and pension lump sum (worth three times the pension). If he or she leaves at age 55 or over,the lump sum is paid to the member but, if he or she leaves before that age with apreserved pension, and dies before drawing it, the pension lump sum is payable to the nominee(s). AFPS 15 awards apension (but no automatic lump sum) to those who serve until age 60. If they leave before age 60 the pension is deferred and, if the member dies before claiming it, alump sum of three times the pension is paid to the nominee(s). AFPS Form 2isavailable on the internet. It is simple to complete and there is nothing to prevent the scheme member from replacing an old nomination form with a new one at any time. In principle it is good that AFPS 05 and AFPS 15 members have avehicle for making their wishes known regarding who will receive what can be significant sums of money.The message from this article is that, no matter how much of agood idea it is to express any wishes the member might have, if they do so, they must, must keep their nomination up to date.

If you are aMember of the Forces Pension Society and have questions on this or any other pension issue, contact us at pensionenquiries@ forpen.co.uk If you are not aMember but would like to know more about us, visit us at forcespensionsociety.org

Mary Petley Photo ©AFPS SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 28

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk 29 ooKie? AC ELLBEING &W ANyoNe FoR HEALTH

I’m aPadre. It’s stop and to take abit of abreather.It’s agreat Hello,something Idon’t way for me, in my role, to get to know people often have to say as my uniform in arelaxed environment, but more importantly and that I’m clutching atub of than that, Iwant to enable people to have a cookies to hand out is usually moment to stop. agiveaway! But for the benefit of you reading this, let me There’s lots of research showing that taking introduce myself.I’m Padre abreak is important to our wellbeing and Chrissie, awife and amum, productivity.Although it may feel like we’re currently based at RAF Marham too busy to stop, paradoxically,instopping we as aStation Chaplain (Chaplain can increase our productivity as well as keeping being the official title of aPadre). our headspaces healthy.So, asimple cookie Now I’m aware you’re missing the becomes an invitation to begin ahabit which cookies but that’s something Iwant to helps develop greater work resilience as well as spend afew moments thinking about. ahealthy headspace…some may call it spiritual It’s not about healthy eating (although resilience. When we stop for afifteen-minute that’s important as well), it’s about break, for lunch, or dare Imention having a how we look after our headspace whole day off aweek, we give ourselves time and ensuring that it is equally to do things which energise and refresh us. For healthy. me it’s not just scientific, it’s wrapped up inmy faith too. Ilove that God commands us to take What do cookies have to do with abreak. To stop working and simply be. Over headspace? Well, it’s not the cookie Christmas, most RAF personnel were given itself,it’s what the some extra days leave to celebrate RAF 100 cookie invites and in recognition of how hard people worked people to do. during 2018. When Igoaround the station offering What do you do when you stop? Make abrew, cookies; oily gloves go to the gym, eat yummy food, take up agood come off,swivel chairs book (or even the Good Book, had to slip that turn away from the in somewhere, IamaPadre after all!), go for a desk, computer monitor walk, listen to music, call afriend, take anap, goes to sleep, documents meditate, social media…what do you do when are placed down, and gently people you stop? Perhaps you have stopped to read stop. Sometimes only for the time it this? Iwant to leave achallenge here: to start Rev(Flt Lt) Christina Lacey. giving your breaks some TLC, and ensuring ©Crown Copyright takes to eat acookie, but for most that stopping lasts abit longer.The your headspace is kept healthy in alife that can cookie is the invitation for people to sometimes run away with us.

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 30

SOCIAL WORK

NEED TO TALK?

SSAFA Personal Support and Social Work Service provides emotional and practical support to Regulars, Reserves andtheir families.

Contact our confidential, independent service, call 03000 111 723

Available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, email [email protected]

Our offices are also open Monday-Friday 08.30-17.00

Registered as a charity in England and Wales Number 210760 in Scotland Number SCO38056 and in Republic of Ireland Number 20006082. Established 1885. S337.0119

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk 31

FaMilies on aceBook PoeM ELLBEING

The RAF FF runs aclosed Facebook group (RAF Families) and is aplace where the mums, dads and partners &W ask questions, support each other and share their own stories. It was whilst doing one of our many virtual visits to the group that we found this poem, written by one of our founder members who had written to reflect, in her own words, the purpose behind this amazing and growing group. HEALTH

The parents of those serving in the RAF have pride Fortheir sons and daughters joining up and some travelling the world wide But while they’re off enjoying their alternative family life Those of us left behind can feel anxiety and strife We’re glad for them, but miss them and can often feel alone With that empty space that’s left behind despite all those at home So this group we have created started off with only two has now become four hundred and we’re all in voting you to join us, feel supported, share acuppa of aword We understand each other,you can let your voice be heard. The RAF family and it’s net spread far and wide And that family border spreads beyond those serving, those inside That family includes those of us at home -that’s me and you We’re part of this strange culture, we’re the parents of the crew So if you need to talk abit, don’t sit and be alone Makecontact, get in touch, you’ll find it easy with your phone There’s text and email messages, there’s Facebook and much more Forsometimes you might hear afriendly knock at your front door From Scotland, Northern Ireland, in the UK everywhere Asupport network is waiting To share friendship, love and care From me to you lot !

By Tr acey McCabe

To join this group, simply search for ‘RAF Families’.

Additional Facebook groups: • RAF Dispersed Families • RAF Reserve Personnel and members of their families

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 32 Hive HEALTH &W ELLBEING

Mj Vallely Deputy Head RAF HIVE (Service Delivery Manager) What is deployment and what support is on offer?

eployment is when aserving person (your spouse, partner,son, The RAF HIVE management team provides comprehensive daughter,father,mother,brother,sister etc.) is required to go to Social Media coverage using both Facebook and Tw itter; Daspecified operational location away from their family,the time additionally,each station has individual RAF HIVE station scales vary but this could be six months or longer.Whether this is your first accounts. Yo uwill be able to find information on all station ‘Deployment Separation’oryou have been through them before, they can activities including Deployment Tr ips/Events and deployment still be extremely difficult for both the serving person and their family. coffee mornings on these sites. The affects of this are many,from the simple things on aday to day basis RAF HIVE are there to listen and signpost you in the right (dealing with bedtime routines/household chores) to that emotional support direction; please do not sit at home worrying, come and that daily contact brings. Often military life means you are away from family talk to the RAF HIVE Information Officer and join in with and friends, this is where your RAF HIVE Information Officer (HIO) and the the activities on your station. If you are an ‘old hat’ with Station Community Support Te am can assist with supporting you. ‘Deployment Separation’please come and talk to someone who isn’t, your knowledge and support could be invaluable RAF HIVEs supply RAF HIVE Deployment Packs (these can differ from station to others. to station) and these are full of useful information: @RAF HIVE Facebook •Booklets and DVDs on the deployment process and contact information @RAF HIVE Tw itter for the Station and various outside supporting agencies RAF Community Support •Leisure vouchers There is also lots of information available on the RAF •Small ‘gizzits’ for children, these will differ from station to station but may Community Support web site pages; raf.mod.uk/serving- include: families/deployment/ oOur ‘RAF HIVE Hello from Home’ book packed full of activities including a‘Chuff Chart’ to count down the days oDetachment maps oTalking Tins oCloud Pets oCuddly toy oJournals oSweet hampers oPhone holders o‘Stay Positive Wall’ charts o‘My Busy Week’ books •Forms to notify schools when aparent/guardian is deployed •BFPO postal blueys and the INtouch mail service (a system that provides deployed personnel with ahard copy of aletter but sent from home via email) •Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) card •Information on Storybook Wings (recorded stories made by serving person) •Station magazine

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk 33 Hive ELLBEING &W HEALTH

Even if this is not your first deployment, our information is always being updated and there are usually new trips and new people to meet.

Because of ‘Data Protection’RAF HIVE cannot contact you or send you valuable information unless your serving person has filled in the correct forms or ‘ticked the box’, for contact whilst they are away. Remember you can always contact us… Youask, we answer

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy more gulars may be required to go through their medical in its first year Re servists will be able to access this service directly, .30am-4pm) or email [email protected] Re access the listening and Counselling service call i9 serving officer accessto counselling support. Please note that while non-servingand dependent family members To us on 0300 222Fr 5703 (Mon to Thur 9.30am-4.30pm, nd Fu ad to be Ih st asn’t. id not want ar worse Iw fir Id af now only too well ontacted the ,c ear of where to start. af did not ,wek nd has developed this new ave to trust your family or ould be in ad as coping but Fu uh Ih Iw Iw he Yo tigma around mental illness. I “T as but i oved one. Assistance provided includes 2019 hought al eservist in the RAF It ,aR ould encourage others to please seek help if

here is still Iw SPRING raf-ff.org.uk llbeing Solutions Management. man, RAF Benevolent Fund Head of strategy “T

ong time in denial.

y We wy new listening and Counsellinglast service year launched by themore RAF than Benevolent 300 Fund serving has and helped retired RAF personnel al ogrammes, said:

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wrong want to start that something was “i knew deep down conversation” ithout the therapy sessions edicated helpline and email address providing information ople like Abby st oved one and talk about it. My other half was adamant that pent

support service helps New mental wellbeing

than 300 people A and their dependants, in its first year. The service is tailored torange support of anyone wellbeing experiencing issues, a frombereavement anxiety to and low depression self-esteem, or loneliness,felt or due even to isolation caring for ad on the service and accessis to available counselling either sessions. face-to-face, Counselling bythose telephone who or struggle at to home get for out. Alison service after listening to thewhich needs includes of both the serving wider personneltheir RAF and dependent Family veterans, family as members. well as “A the pressures the RAF Familyat face new and ways are to constantly helpService looking them. offers The something Listening bespoke and forfrom Counselling those emotional suffering wellbeing issues.” The support is delivered inUK partnership and with Anxiety and Pe for support with depression. Abby said: knew deep down something was wrong but to start that first conversation, Is situation and they feel they are notthey coping are and feeling.” talk to someone about how al things could not be leftpushed as to they get were help. any longer but “W env HEALTH &WELLBEING 34 New MeNTAl wellBeiNg suPPoRT seRviCe 35 HEALTH & WELLBEING HEALTH

©RAF Association MeNTAl HeAlTH suPPoRT FoR RAF FAMilies HeAlTH MeNTAl MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTTRAINING

OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE: Handling Instruction: Limited circulation until 0930 on 21 J une 2018 - OFFICIAL thereafter .

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ustme TS dj n P D A t r Neu % e ro % 6 h t % % t i 30 c O D % isorders 28 % FAMilies D isorders Mental Disorders amilies of serving RAF personnel can benefit from Delivery of training 3.1% new training to spot mental health issues, thanks to courses will begin at of UK Armed Fthe RAF Association. Forces personnel were assessed RAF Coningsby before with amental disorder at MOD Specialist expanding to afurther Mental Health Services in 2017-18 The charity has received two grants from the Lincolnshire 10 stations throughout 6.1% Partnership NHS Foundation Tr ust’s ‘Mental Health Promotion of females 2.7% the year: of males Fund’ and the Postcode Community Tr ust to launch the 2.9% 2.2% of 3.1% 3.2% RoyalNavy of RoyalMarines programme, which began at RAF Coningsby in February. RAF Benson of ArmyofRAF RAF Brize Norton Adult Mental Health Aware Half Day is the first course to be RAF Cosford offered to the partners and spouses of serving RAF personnel RAF Cranwell and civilian staff contracted to work on stations. The Association RAF Leeming recognises the vital role families play in identifying and RAF Odiham understanding mental health issues and the course provides the RAF Scampton understanding and supporting skills to implement practical support RAF Shawbury Te achers of children whose parents serve in the RAF at RAF Valley schools local to the stations, can also take advantage of the RAF Waddington programme. For further information, 3.1% of UK Armed Forces personnel were assessed with a personnel need to contact their station’s Community mental disorder at MOD Specialist Mental Health Services in Development Officer or family members can call theRAF 2017-18* Association on 0800 018 2361. RAF Association area director,Ailsa Gough has been on the *UK armed forces mental health: 2017/18: infographic -gov.uk/government/statistics/uk- course and spoke of her own experiences. She said: “We armed-forces-mental-health-annual-statistics-financial-year-201718 feel it’s important to provide support to the families of those serving their country in the RAF and therefore, are delighted to have received this vital funding. ”Ihave experienced one of the workshops myself “I have experienced one of the workshops myself and, in my and, in my voluntary role as aBefriender to voluntary role as aBefriender to an RAF veteran, it has given me abetter understanding of how Ican help people in need.” an RAF veteran, it has given me abetter The RAF Association successfully piloted the course at RAF understanding of how Ican help Benson and RAF Valley in 2017 with participants saying they had abetter understanding of issues affecting people and the people in need” signs to look out for. SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy ositive effect ap

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uide sonnel The Scottish Government, Local Authorities and schools are also workingthat hard moving to to ensure Scotland has on the educational outcomes offrom children Armed Forces families. Thishas website been created in orderefforts to together bring and all put these theparents resources and that the education professionalssupport who their children need, togetherplace: in one

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ailable online or in Av uide specifically for service ag 2019 lcome to lcome SPRING raf-ff.org.uk gov.scot/publications/welcome-scotland-guide- gov.scot/publications/welcome-scotland-guide-

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CessiNg THe guide: Hard copy: contact the [email protected] FF office by emailing the team at Digitally: service-personnel-families-moving-scotland/

Scotland Scotland We • • your local council know that you are members of the armed forces your local council know that you are members and contact details. community and this guide can share links AC Designed to help with what you need to know about your move, this DesignedDesigned to help with what you need to know about your move, this Designed to help with what you need to to help with also also what matters to you most. To freefree booklet helps you to research what matters to you most. To free booklet helps you to research what you booklet need helps to you know to to Scotland, please let ensure you are fully supported on your move about research your what move, matters this to you most. personnel and their families moving to Scotland. Available online or in online or in Available Available personnelpersonnel and their families moving to Scotland.personnel and their families moving to Scotland. and their families moving on topics such as housing, on topics such as housing, hardhard copy it provides practical informationhard copy it provides practical information to copy Scotland. it provides practicaleducation, healthcare and employment. information on topics such as housing, The Scottish Government has produced a guide specifi a guide specifi TheThe Scottish Government has producedThe Scottish Government has produced Scottish Government has produced env OF INTEREST 36 welCoMe To sCoTlANd 37 Too AT OF INTEREST l iNTeRNATioNAl AiR T l iNTeRNATioNAl yA Ro

AIR TATTOO SET TO BE OUT OF THIS WORLD

rganisers of the Royal international Air Ta ttoo 50 years ago that the first Moon landing took place – are promising visitors to this summer’s airshow on July 20 1969.” othat it will be out of this world. Super Earlybird admission tickets for this summer’s Special Super Earlybird tickets for the event, which takes airshow have gone on sale priced £47. This place at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on July 19-21 represents asaving of almost 20 per cent on the 2019, have already sold out for the Saturday,and as well as cost of afull-priced standard admission ticket. featuring the world’s most exciting aircraft, the 2019 airshow will turn its spotlight into space. The Royal International Air Tattoo is staged annually in support of the RAF The airshow’s theme Air &Space: inspiring the Next Charitable Tr ust. To find out more Generation Air Force follows an announcement earlier this about what’s on offer each day, year that the Royal Air Force will be taking command and book tickets and explore the control of the UK’s military space operations, reflecting various enclosure options, the importance of space in ensuring successful military visit airtattoo.com operations around the world. Andy Armstrong, Chief Executive of RAF Charitable Tr ust Enterprises, which organises the event, said that whilst the past 100 years saw military operations take place in the sky the next century would see activities increasingly stretching beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. He said: “A swell as welcoming air arms from around the world, we plan to demonstrate, through engaging and interactive displays, how space technology is being developed and how it is being used to help counter threats to our everyday lives. “Our focus on space will be particularly poignant as the 2019 airshow will take place on exactly the same day,

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 38 eMN le NARRowBo FlyeR leeMiNg INTEREST OF

AT Ifyou’ve ever fancied hiring anarrowboat for ashort break, then consider hiring the Leeming Flyer.Based at Acton Bridge Marina, on the Cheshire Ring, it is available to all three services, including ex-service personnel. The Cheshire Ring is agentle cruise through the idyllic Cheshire countryside, district views fill your route as you follow part ofthe historic silk trail, and briefly,incontrast you will also visit the heart of Manchester through its secret backdoor. Made up of three main canals that run through the county; the Hire Fees Macclesfield Canal running through Congleton and Macclesfield, the (not including fuel which is paid for at the end of the hire period): Tr ent and Mersey running through Middlewich and Wheelock and then the Bridgewater Canal running through Lymm in the North. The Shropshire Union Canal also skirts Chester’s city walls where you can stop off and explore 2000 years of history. Why not stop off and explore one of the many towns and villages en-route or take atrip to see Anderton Boat Lift, an incredible edifice, perched on the banks of the River Weaver –just like agiant three- storey-high iron spider. The Cheshire Ring provides arange of canal side scenery from the Grant funding has been generously provided by the RAF gentle rolling plains of the Cheshire countryside to the peaks of the Central Fund and the Nuffield Tr ust. Peak District National Park. There is a variety of canal features en- route including locks, aqueducts and tunnels plus the historic town Anderton Boat Lift. centres of Northwich, Middlewich, Macclesfi eld and Congleton are ©Canal & River Trust within easy reach to explore. The whole ring is 97 miles long, with 92 locks and can take up to a one week to complete. Hire the Leeming Flyer and explore the beauty of Cheshire; many attractions, places to eat are accessible from the canal side. Perhaps see it as a contact house on the water - the Leeming Flyer will serve as a relaxing getaway experience for serving or ex-serving MOD personnel and their families on the stunning Cheshire Ring canal network. No experience is required as lessons on how to manoeuvre the boat and canal etiquette are given upon arrival, including a full walk-through of the boat and its facilities.

FACiliTies: •Can accommodate up to 6 •Kitchen people •Dining area (3 xdouble beds) •Lounge with TV •Bathroom with shower •Central heating FuRTHeR iNFoRMATioN: Contact 01677 458153 •[email protected]

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk id youknow that the ServicesCotswoldCentreoffers 39 shortterm accommodationfor Service personnel andtheir Dfamilies andthe site canbeusedfor welfare, duty or leisure purposes?The Centre offers up to 60 centrallyheated, fullyfurnished, 3or4-bed self-catering chaletsset in apeaceful andsecure25acre site near Corsham in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside. OF INTEREST

Whetheryou have awelfare issueand need temporaryaccommodation CoTswold CeNTRe andsupport,are betweenassignments, closetodischarge,recuperating from injury, orjust need abreak in the country, the Centre has everything youneedfor ashortterm stay at very reasonablerates. Eachchalet includes aTV, Freeview box, cutlery, crockery,refrigerator, freezer, beddingand towels.The site also hasagym,games hall, launderetteand storagefacilities. It isjust ashortwalkintoCorsham andIcan sayfrompersonalexperience that it makesanideal location foraconference, as there is alarge room availablewithworking Wi-Fi. TH ESERVICES Finally, there arealsoexperiencedstaff abletohelpand advise on housing, benefitsand otherwelfare issues.Wewantour COTSWOLD CENTRE Service personnel andtheir families to make useofthis hiddengem, so please spread the word! Neston,Corsham,Wilts For more details and to access the booking form, please visit the SN139TU website at gov.uk/government/publications/services-cotswold-centre or call the Services Cotswold Centre on 01225 810358. by Warrant Officer Phil Chadwick, RAF Community Support

We provide first-classcarefor veterans

Residential nursing care, rehabilitation, Specialist services include respite and award-winning end of life physiotherapy, occupational therapy, care for physically disabled ex-Service speech therapy, and personnel and their families socialand recreation activities :#B '#BD <%C#B'1><#%*$133 ;@ #% 01903 213458 #B 8<@<> www.careforveterans.org.uk

Care for Veterans CELEBRATING 7?<%A*/D@> 6;@@D(* ,+22 .-0 YEARS 4) 01903 213458 OF CARE =) [email protected] 1919 -2019 The Queen AlexandraHospital Home since1919 Registered Charity No. 1072334 SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 40

Full and weekly boardingwith excellent pastoral care for students aged11to18, boys and girls. Providingcontinuity of educationand popularwith Armed Forcesfamilies Latest Ofsted rates school’sleaders and managers as ‘outstanding’ and ‘good’ overall; strong GCSEand ALevel results Applications open -weekday tours available by appointment only Active lifestyle with sport, music, drama, 70 clubs, one of the largest Combined Cadet Forces and Duke of Edinburgh Awards Centre Great facilities with modern teaching blocks, performing arts centre, sports halls, gym, swimming pool, climbing wall, squash courts, Olympic running track, astro turf pitches and courts, walking trails Parent contribution CEA drops to 8% from September, onlyfor stateboarding schools, no education fees kfdkc ecbkad mqi_g^l]`jhZi]n\_[lj]_ pppli]n\_[lj]_

The perfect balanceofsingle-sexand co-education Charity Number 525616 Payonly10% of the fees, around £950 per term* *This applies to ServiceFamilies who areeligiblefor the Continuity of Education Allowance, entering the School 2019/20. Additionalmeans-tested support, subjecttoavailability,may be offeredtofamilies who lose the CEA. Find out more www.habsmonmouth.org/forces

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk 41 Igniting passion for life and learning “A supportive community of pupils and teachers...in an area of outstanding natural beauty.” Good Schools Guide

Open Days 15th June June&5&5thth October October 2019 2019

We are able to offer standard discounts to Boarding and day school for girls and boys aged 11-18 families from HM Forces or UK Diplomatic Kingham, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX76TH Services. This leaves parents to pay 10% T: +44 (0) 1608 658999 or E: [email protected] of published fees after taking into account to request aprospectus and arrange avisit. full CEA entitlement. www.kinghamhill.org.uk

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 42

Co-educational,day &boarding schoolfor 3-18years in South East England

Boarding from 7to18years Warm and supportivefamily ethos Strong academicresults at 11+,GCSEand ALevel Modernen-suiteboarding accommodation Fast train only 75 minutes from London ChristianFoundation

HM Forces personnelinreceipt of CEApay only 10% of theboardingfee

T: 01843 572931 E: [email protected] College Road, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 7AE www.slcuk.com

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk GORDON’SSCHOOL 43 BOARDINGINSURREY

Rankedinthe top1%ofall schoolsin Englandand Walesoverthe past3years at ALevel.

Years7,9and 12 boarding places available from £5,378 perterm.

www.gordons.school

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 44

Please come for atasteofPackwood...

Packwood HaughSchool Ruyton XI Towns, Packwood ShrewsburySY4 1HX Haugh Telephone 01939260217 www. packwood-haugh.co.uk

Offering anumber of 20% boarding bursaries to new HM forces families joining the school

It’s who we are.

Come and visit us on our open day: For more information or to book visit Wednesday 13 March www.stswithuns.com or call 01962 835700

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk Up to 15%Forces Discount 45

ACO-EDUCATIONAL BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOL FOR 2TO18YEAR OLDS

Your child at our heart SHAPING LIVES INSPIRING EXCELLENCE

Contactthe Registrar on 01722 555300 [email protected] www.salisburycathedralschool.com

CO-EDUCATIONAL PREPARATORYSCHOOL FORCHILDREN AGED 3-13

WE ARE ST MARGARET’S

WHO WE ARE Independent Dayand Boarding School forgirls aged 4-18 years Established in 1749

WHATWEDO Junior School, Senior School &Sixth Form

WHERE WE ARE FORCES LocatedinBushey, Hertfordshire, DISCOUNT within easyaccess to central London AVAILABLE

www.stmargaretsbushey.co.uk

@StMargsBushey| @StMargsBushey| @StMargaretsBushey

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 46

Generous HM Forces Discount Available

Shortlisted Boarding school independent school awards of the year award 2018

For more information or to arrange avisit, contact 01822 813193 or [email protected] Mount Kelly |Tavistock |Devon |PL19 0HZ www.mountkelly.com

TauntonSchool is aco-educational,non- selectiveindependentschool set in a56acre campus in Somerset,for pupils aged 0-18 years,with boarding available from age 7.

Forces families payfrom£433 per term (Years 3-4) up to £825 per term forfull boarding in the senior school,plus CEA. Our outstanding facilities and huge range of co-curricular activities on offer result in an enriched experience forour students and prepares them forlife.

CHALLENGE • NURTURE • INSPIRE

Call us to find out moreon01823 703703 or visit www.tauntonschool.co.uk ContactDeclan Rogers (Registrar) to arrange apersonal visit to suit you [email protected] Monday6th May 09:30 -12:30 FollowusonSocial Media @tauntonschool www.tauntonschool.co.uk

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk 47 Discover Us 2019

Stamford School Stamford High School Stamford Junior School Discovery Morning Discovery Morning Discovery Morning (Boys 11 -18) (Girls 11 -18) (Boys &Girls 3-11) 19 March2019 20 March2019 5March2019

To book yourplace, visitstamfordschools.co.uk or calluson01780 750311

Quantjepuis. As much as Ican.

Come and see us at our Spring Open Doors events: Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall 9March 2019 Stonyhurst College 16 March 2019

Open thedoorto abrighterfuture. www.stonyhurst.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1254 827073 Email: [email protected] Stonyhurst •Clitheroe •Lancashire•BB7 9PZ

SPRING 2019 raf-ff.org.uk envoy 48 if you would like to advertise in the ADCOTE SCHOOL next edition of envoy please contact FORGIRLS Method Publishing at [email protected] Learning to thrive in the 21stCentury for details. Unique CLEAR learning programme n Small•Warm •Nurturing o

20%DISCOUNT TO ARMED FORCES

Adcote School for Girls, Little Ness, Shrewsbury,Shropshire, SY4 2JY Tel: 01939 260 202 Email: [email protected] Web: www.adcoteschool.org.uk @Adcoteschool @AdcoteSchool

DISCOVER BADMINTON Dayand boardingschoolfor girlsaged3-18

“Top school in theSouth West”The Daily Telegraphand TheTimes’GCSEleaguetables

Holistic education in the heartofBristol

Best preparation forevery girl to leaveconfident andthriveintoday’s global society

“I knew by theend of thetourthatBadminton was somewhereIwantedtobe” Scarlett,Year9

SENIOR �SIXTH FORM WHOLESCHOOL OPEN MORNING OPEN MORNING Friday 1st March2019 Monday6th May2019

Be inspired, book your placeonlineNOW

[email protected] 0117 9055271 badmintonschool.co.uk

SPRING 2019 envoy raf-ff.org.uk '081GI 'G00C>C 8= E@G7F GA 8:=08I2 L8:; :;C K808:/@J# AG@G6C@,<- JC/@=:;C 'G00C>C ;/= E@G68FCF /;GKC A@GK ;GKC AG@H;80F@CI GA =C@68I> !4 "G@HC= EC@=GIIC0% '7@@CI:0J IC/@0J ,-& GA G7@ .G/@FC@= HGKC A@GK :;C !4 "G@HC= HGKK7I8:J%

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We areholding Open Days in May: NurserytoYear3)"@8F/J ,-:; 4/J Year 4toYear8)D/:7@F/J ,5:; 4/J Year 9toYear13)4GIF/J ,B:; 4/J

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QueenVictoriaSchool Dunblane,Scotland

Aimingtoprovide aunique,thrivingboardingand educationalcommunity in whichall pupils andstaffworktosupport andrespect oneanother in realisingtheir full potential

In45acres of countryside,our co-educational boardingschoolisfor thechildren of UK ArmedForces personnel whoare Scottish,orwho have served in Scotland or who have been membersofaScottishregiment. The main entrypoint is Primary7,whichis the broad equivalent of Year 6inEngland. Places are fully funded by the MOD, with aparental charge for some aspects of boarding life. ,77"$150$893 (84 5.!$33$89 08 /'* 1"83) 89 0&) +# :59-54%6 )51& %)542

Families are welcome to find out more by contacting Admissions on +44 (0) 131 310 2927 to arrange avisit.

www.qvs.school

TRUST|INDEPENDENCE |RESPONSIBILITY|RESPECT |EQUALITY

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