KEEPINGYOU IN TOUCH

WelComE (WelfareCommunications Everywhere) -providing communication services to link entitled UK Service personnel on operational duty with their families and friends backhome. Free* voicemail Familyand friends based in theUK, Germanyand Cyprus can leave voicemail messages forentitled UK Service personnel currentlyserving on operational duty overseas. Entitled deployedpersonnel can retrieve voicemail messages forfreein-theatre. Online top-up service Entitled deployedpersonnel, familyand friends can top-up WelComE Account Cards via the Online Account Manager. Visit www.mywelcome.co.uk fordetails. ademark of Astrium Limited. Tr egistered aR lComE is We served. re

WelComE Customer Contact Centre digm. All rights ra

[email protected] Pa www.mywelcome.co.uk -© *Freewhen calling from aUK, German or Cypriot landline 255 Mobile and international call costs mayvary. Checkwithyour mobile/service provider 10 Why should YOU contact the Federation?

The RAF Families Federation is funded by the RAF but sits outside the Chain of Command as an independent organisation. We represent all RAF personnel –bethey Regular,Reserve, single, married or in apartnership, together with their families. We provide avoice for the issues and concerns you have about life in the RAF,and we have direct Welcome access to senior RAF and MOD staffs as well as Government Ministers. editor To do all this, we need to hear from you on issues from the such as quality of life, accommodation, health, Since the last magazine, our team diary has been filling up nicely here at the FF education, pay and allowances Everyone’s views and to join you at families’ days and other similar events. If you have any key dates concerns are important to us. you’d like us to be part of,please drop me an email at [email protected]. Keythings to remember: In this edition of Envoy,you’ll see proof that your comments to us really do get used. Mark Lancaster wrote to Bill earlier this year and his letter is included •Wework with the RAF/MOD and not against them within Stan’s housing article so I’ll say no more now and leave you to have a •Wedon’t undermine the chain of command; we read, especially if you live in SFA. work with them but will dig them in the ribs on On the very same subject, we have some great content and examples on how your behalf when necessary the Armed Forces Covenant supported you during 2015. Hopefully these will give you aclear idea on how the Covenant actually works and the sort of •Wewill signpost you to the ‘best’ experts to help things it’s there for.There is also aseparate article on the banking industry, you if required including mortgage deals for you as Armed Forces personnel. It essentially covers things like when you own your own home and then need to rent it out •Wealways maintain your anonymity and respect whilst deployed on operations or serving abroad. your privacy Moving on to spousal support, we have been expanding our gateway of •Wealways maintain afair and balanced approach information to courses, opportunities and access to job sites and there is now an RAF Families Group on LinkedIn. As job news, shares and tips come in to Help us to continue to share the message us we share them on our LinkedIn Group so please feel free to join and help us make it areally useful network for our spouses. Contact us: raf-ff.org.uk Te lephone 01780 781650 or email [email protected]

FrontCaption: RAF Coningsby Photographic Section.

CONTACT Communications Assistant: Nick Crouch Te lephone: 01780 781650, Assistant Volunteer Editor: Kate Graham email: [email protected] Evidence Manager: Colin Jones or via the website www.raf-ff.org.uk Evidence Assistant: To dd Fellows Evidence Assistant (Housing): Envoy –The magazine of the RAF Families Federation, Stan Brathwaite published 4times ayear. Office Manager: Ruth McClelland To have your FREE copy delivered quarterly to your home, Published quarterly by Method Publishing, adivision email [email protected] or via our website of Scottish Provincial Press Limited, on behalf of Envoy www.raf-ff.org.uk Design and Ty pography: ©Method Publishing 2016 RAF Families Federation, 13-15 St Georges Road, Editorial Matter and Illustrations: ©Envoy Printed in Great Britain by: Warners Midlands plc Wittering, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE8 6DL Advertisement Office (UK): Method Publishing, Sutherland Press House, 01780 781650 Main Street, Golspie, Sutherland, KW10 6RA Director: Bill Mahon Te l: 01408 633871 Fax: 01408 633876 Communications Manager: Caroline Woodward Email: [email protected]

Views expressed in Envoy,unless stated otherwise, are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of Envoy,the RAF or the Ministry of Defence. No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in Envoy can be accepted by the Publishers or Printers and advertisements are accepted on the express condition that the advertiser warrants that they in no way contravene the provisions of The Trades Descriptions Act 1968 nor any other prevailing legislation in the United Kingdom. The Publishers reserve the right to refuse acceptance of any advertisement without stating areason. www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 3 TheRAF charity, here forour service personnel past andpresent,for life

TheRoyal Air Forces Association is the charitythat supports the RAF family.Whether it’s an injured airman fighting to get back on his feet, ayoung child missing their parent away To find out eamor bout whatwedo, from home or aveteran needing someone to lean on in later visit rafa.org.uk or call 0800 018 2361 life, we’reheretohelp all generations of the RAF family. Contents 20

8 In the News COVENANT FEATURES 30 The CovenantatWork Highlights of what has been achieved by the 10 ReservesatBrizeNorton Armed Forces Covenant. Reserves are not just about civilians wanting a new challenge, they are also about ex regulars 32 Banks offer betterdeal looking for new challenges whilst maintaining Armed Forces personnel posted overseas will their other job. 10 be able to rent out their homes without facing higher mortgage costs or having to change 12 Service ComplaintsSystem their mortgage. Accessing the new Service Complaints System whilst Serving in the RAF. HEALTH ANDWELLBEING FEDERATION 35 Building stronger families The RAF Benevolent Fund offers you afree, 16 Accommodation Matters easy-to-access, online course to help RAF Housing information and accommodation couples deal with the challenges of family life. updates from your Federation. 22 37 Asad lesson forusall 20 In Planning Mode In Nov 15 the RAF Honington community RAF Coningsby was awelcome location for pulled together to host aMelanoma the Federation to hold its annual strategy day. Awareness Event in honour of Louise Cook. SPOUSESINBUSINESS FAMILY 22 Outstanding Entrepreneurs 38 Activity Breaksopportunity The University of Wolverhampton’s award SSAFA’sannual Short Breaks scheme caters for winning business-start up programme, 30 children and young people with an additional ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’, has bestowed need or disability and their families to enjoy nine ‘outstanding entrepreneur’awards to together at the Calvert Tr ust in Exmoor. service spouses. 39 Afriend in need… LEGALAND FINANCIAL Got any spare time? Volunteers needed for a 24 Tools to getMoneyFit new ‘befrinder’scheme for RAF Association. It’s never too early or too late to get your OF INTEREST finances sorted. MoneyForce is auseful 40 Slow things down... website offering arange of interactive planners 38 and calculators to help you take control. Whether you’re looking for afamily holiday with adifference or just want to unwind 27 CreditUnionsfor Armed Forces and take life at amore tranquil pace, our Service personnel are now able to get into the narrowboat could be for you. savings habit by having deductions from your pay made straight into asavings account with 43 DVDs in atime of need one of three Credit Unions. Some short DVDcartoons aimed at children of all ages who have suffered bereavement. 43 www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 5

FOREWORD Foreword by GP CAPT RICH PRATLEY, COMMANDING OFFICER, RAF WITTERING AND A4 FE COMMANDER

Much of the past four years for me has their job. Equally, been focused on operations. Firstly as the and arguably more Deputy Commander of Joint Force Support importantly,is in Afghanistan; then as the Permanent Joint ensuring that we Headquarters logistics lead for Redeployment support those from Afghanistan; and for the past six months as families at home. the Station Commander and A4 Force Element At Wittering, we Commander at RAF Wittering. The tempo of have worked hard Service life seems to increase year on year with avariety of and yet for the Servicemen and women, there organisations, to ensure families have the facilities is undoubtedly huge satisfaction from doing and support they need while family members are ajob that they know is important, and doing away.While great strides have been made in this it well. But this is only part of the equation. area, there is still more we can do. This is akey What Ihave been increasingly convinced of,is part of the moral component of Service life and it that it is the families who are left behind who is imperative that we get it right. have the hardest job. Life on Ops is relatively straightforward: work, gym, eat, sleep, repeat! None of us possess acrystal ball but 2016 looks Whereas home life continues apace. Bills still set to be asimilarly frenetic year,with the same to be paid, bins to be emptied, shopping to be huge demands placed on Service personnel and done. It is something Iamacutely aware of. their families. That means that Service charities will continue to be akey contributor to us The return of flying to Wittering this year,after a delivering on operations through the outstanding gap of around five years following the withdrawal work that they do across awide spectrum of of the Harrier from service, is hugely welcome. activities. The Families Federation are in the An RAF station is always better for the presence vanguard of this and Ihave seen again and again of aircraft! But the major focus of the Unit, and in the relatively short time that Ihave been in more widely those squadrons that are part of my current job, how valuable their contribution the A4 Force (the RAF’s deployable engineering is. Making adifference to so many peoples’ lives, and logistics capabilities), is on global support being there when they are most needed, the to operations and exercises. This means many Federation is akey part of wider Service life. I personnel spending large parts of their year am extremely grateful for all the work that they away from their families. It is important that do and the support to my team and the wider we provide all the support that they need to do RAF that they provide.

www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 7 IN THE NEWS

THE News

IN 

MOD Hercules NewYears Building Stronger Easy waytofind supportdeal Honours2016 Families local childcare

The MinistryofDefencehas agreed The full listofRAF Promotions in and The RAF BenevolentFund has launched As advertisedrecentlyonTV, Childcare. a£369 million deal forthe continued Appointments to the MilitaryDivision of its ‘Building Stronger Families’Course, co.uk is an awardwinning online social in-service support of the RAF Hercules the MostHonourable Order of the Bath which is free to all RAF personnel and networking platform forparents, C-130J fleet,securing around 1,200 UK canbefound on the RAF website. partners,whether married or not. childcareproviders and privatetutors jobsuntil2022. with over 1,000,000 members. NewDog Taxyour vehicle Bogus Council Tax Letter received Microchippinglaw by Direct Debit refund scams from Minister

From 6April2016all dogs in England will DirectDebit offersmoreflexible ways to Be cautious about people claiming to Our Director has received aletter from Mark be legally required to be microchipped payyour vehicle tax.You canpay your be able to reduce your council tax band Lancaster,Ministerfor Defence Personnel andtheir details registeredonan vehicle tax by Direct Debit–either online forafee. and Veterans concerning SFAfaults and authoriseddatabase. or by going to aPostOffice thatdeals complaints. He also touchesonheating and with vehicle tax. hot waterissues. See page16. NewSenior TheArmedForces Electionsinyour An ArrestingJob Appointments Covenant area in May2016

Air Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier KCBCBE TheArmedForcesCovenant unveils its Youcan’t vote in the elections in Behind theScenes with RoyalAir Force DFCistobepromoted Air ChiefMarshal newbranding. See howitreally does your area in May2016 unless you’ve ConingsbyOfficer CommandingPolice and appointedasChiefofthe Air Staff, supportServing personnel and their registeredby18April. Areyou a and Security Flight–FlightLieutenant in succession to Air ChiefMarshal Sir families to ‘remove disadvantage’. member of the armedforces?Makesure SaraDaunton. Andrew PulfordGCB CBE ADC in July 16. you’re registeredfor the Mayelections. Banks offerbetter Strategy now Recipes Springing RAF Wittering deal launched from our Chefs Centennial Year

Armed Forces personnel posted overseas TheMinisterfor Defence Personnel and RoyalAir ForceConingsbyChefs have TheCentennialYear at RAF Wittering got willbeabletorentout their homes Veterans has endorsed the UK Armed beenthinking about Spring as they off to aflying start as studentpilots from without facinghigher mortgage costsor Forces Families’Strategy,which was enterfour tastydishes into anational 16 (R) Squadron successfully graduated having to changetheir mortgage. published Thursday14th January. competition run by ISS Defence UK. from their elementary flyingtraining on Thursday14th January.

8 Spring 2016 www.raf-ff.org.uk Furththerer details on all these storiescan be found on www.raf-ff.org.uk Search forthe headline

Release of MOD Book your 2016 Service sites stay complaints

Defence MinisterMark Lancasterhas The RAF BenevolentFund’sseaside Anew power in theService complaints announcedthe release of 12 MOD sites, cottagesand apartments areavailable to system. From early2016the Service as part of the department’s drivefor all members of the RAF family, but book Complaints Ombudsmanwillbring a greaterefficiency. early as accommodation will only be newindependentvoicetothe Service allocated threemonthsinadvance. complaintssystem. Opportunities for Crackdown on Lincolnshire 500 businesses Servicespouses NuisanceCalls Aviation launched

As part of theNew EmploymentModel Under plansdirectmarketing companies 2016will seemultiple events heldatthe X-Forces celebratesfive hundred new (NEM) theMOD hasteamed up with willhavetolegally displaytheir LincolnshireAviation HeritageCentrein businesses, which have beenlaunchedby anumberoforganisations to address telephone numberoncaller ID,helping East Kirkbywith exciting progress on the the UK’smilitarycommunity,assistedbya barrierstoemploymentfor spouses of consumers report unsolicited calls to the NX611 taking her closer to the eventual specialistplanning and advisoryservice. those serving in the ArmedForces. regulators. goal of being airworthy. Furniture and Alpine Champ RAF Marham NewChiefofthe Removals Sets Challenge centenarylaunch Defence Staff

Anew infographic has been createdby ARAF skiing champion has throwndown Marham Aerodrome wasfirstopenedin HerMajesty theQueen approved the the CarillionAmey Communications team the thermal gauntletand challenged 1916 as amilitarylanding ground forthe appointmentofAir Chief Marshal Sir thatseesout the process customers everyone in the Air Forcetoget out to RoyalFlyingCorpsand servedasabase Stuart Peach to take over from General shouldfollowiftheyrequirefurnitureto whathecalls, “one of the bestthings in forvarious aircraft,including the Royal SirNicholasHoughtonasthe next Chief be ordered or collected. the Air Forceyou cando.” Aircraft FactoryF.E. 2b and B.E. 2C. of the Defence Staff this summer. Recruiting in Substitute Armed Forces RAF Police Dog South West Accommodation honoured Handler

NewRAF ReservesSquadron recruiting MearsGroup Limited has been Thehardwork and achievements of the Ever wondered whatittakes to become in SouthWest. Across the UK, 6new selected to provide the newSubstitute Armed Forces andthose who support an RAF Police Dog Handler?Corporal squadrons have beencreated for Accommodation contract coveringSSFA them hasbeen recognised at The Sun Richie Butlertellsyou in ashort video clip. reservists, but this is the first one in the andSSSAinthe UK. Military Awards (The Millies). He has beenaRoyal Air ForcePolice dog South West for10years. handler for9years. www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 9 FEATURES RESERVES ARE NOT JUST ABOUT ANEW CHALLENGE: They are also about ex regulars looking for new No 622 Squadron Royal Auxiliary challenges whilst maintaining their other job. Air Force was originally formed in 1994 to support the Hercules Force, known as 1359 Flight. The unit was embedded on the Hercules Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) at RAF Lyneham for a3year trial period. Following the success of this trial, the Sqn continued to expand and provide support for operations and peacetime tasking across the Hercules force.

Further expansion followed with Sqn members supporting all the Air Tr ansport and Air to Air Refueling types currently being flown by the Royal Air Force. In June 2011, the Sqn relocated to RAF Brize Norton with all the other units based at Lyneham due to the closure of the base. In recognition of the continued support given to the main Squadrons, 1359 Flt was authorised by the Standing Committee of the Air Force Board to be rebadged as 622 Sqn on 1Oct 2012, the Squadron motto being ‘Bellamus Noctu’ (WeWage War By Night) depicted by aLong Eared Owl, Volant Affrontee, carrying in the claws, aflash of lightning.

The Sqn expanded in 2013 to include flying support personnel who still fostered adesire to contribute to the Royal Air Force. To date this includes Aircrew,Engineers, Ops Staff, Ground Engineers, Flight Stewards, MT,Pers Supt and Pers Tr ainers. The demographic consists of Ex Regular personnel looking to continue Service with the Royal Air Force, some of whom maintain another job.

An example of this is demonstrated by Cpl Hayley Court who originally joined the Regular Royal Air Force in 1988 as amess stewardess and soon realised she had discovered the job she loved, especially the decoration of venues in which functions were to be held. Her endless enthusiasm and boundless energy would always bring excellent results for formal functions even though, on occasion, the process could increase her line manager’s blood

10 Spring 2016 www.raf-ff.org.uk FEATURES ABOUT CIVILIANS WANTING

pressure. One example of this was from both. Since joining 622 Squadron Afew facts on RAF Brize Norton: during a‘Pirate themed’ mess evening Hayley has been mobilised 55 times on that Hayley had organised, he walked Op HERRICK and Op KIPION, she has 1. RAF Brize Norton is the largest in to find ‘Long John Hayley’dressed paraded with 10 Squadron, supported station in the Royal Air Force, as apirate forcing Officers to walk the Ex Chameleon, represented 622 employing in excess of 6000 Service plank at sword point, and to his horror, Squadron at aRoyal Garden Party,and personnel, 1100 contractors and his highly polished mess tables were represented the Service as asteward 350 MOD civilians. decorated with centre pieces of sand, during Wimbledon this year. boats and chocolate coins. 2. RAF Brize Norton is the Defence Hayley’s story shows how the skills Gateway to the world, transporting Hayley’s career progression saw her gained during Regular Service continue people and equipment around the move on to become Cabin Crew to be required and well utilised in globe 24/7, 365 days ayear. where, in 2010 as avalued member the Reserves whilst, at the same of 216 Squadron, she completed time enabling her to run her own 3. RAF Brize Norton Air-to-Air 22 years of Service. On leaving her business. If you are an Ex Regular and refuelling capability ensures that the Regular Service, Hayley applied and would like to continue to contribute skies above the UK are kept safe by was successful in securing the first to the Service, Joining the Part Time supporting Ty phoon Quick Reaction Part Time Volunteer Reserve Cabin Volunteer Reserves would enable you Alert (QRA) Aircraft. Crew post at Brize Norton on 622 to do so, providing enough flexibility Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force. to manage asecond career.More 4. The RAF is currently recruiting As areservist she continued to work information can be obtained by regular and reserve personnel. For with 216 Squadron until the Sqn contacting 622 Squadron on RAF Brize more information see https://www. disbanded. Hayley then transferred Norton Ext 6901 or 6986. raf.mod.uk/recruitment/ to the Voyager force, where she continues to work in her Reserve role. Being apart time Reservist, Hayley is able to share her skills and energy into forming her own business called Brides and Beautiful Events (BABE) were she organises and decorates weddings, formal parties and and other formal events. Aconfident and well organised JNCO,Hayley is able to manage her work schedule and her own business requirements seamlessly and achieves excellent results and great satisfaction

www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 11 FEATURES ACCESSING THE NEW Service Complaints System whilst Serving in the RAF

by Wg Cdr AGKime Service life has its ups and downs, they were still serving, may also make a compensation and criminal injuries and if things go wrong your wellbeing complaint about that matter.Unfortunately, compensation; exemption from call- and that of those around you at partners, family members and friends of out or loss of earnings made under the home and at work can be adversely Service persons cannot submit aformal Reserve Forces Act; and decisions made affected. Ideally,the matter should be Service Complaint on behalf of the affected by the Security Vetting Appeals Panel. swiftly,fairly and informally resolved Service person. Additionally,there are no with the individual or organisation procedures for aService Complaint to be Abreakdown of all RAF Service best placed to put things to rights. made collectively by agroup. Complaints by subject received during Where this is not possible, every 2015 is below: member of the Armed Forces has What can aService Person complain about? the right to raise agrievance to their AService person can make acomplaint How can acomplaint be raised? Commanding Officer.The Service about any matter relating to their service It makes sense to attempt to resolve Complaints System was reformed in with the exception of matters relating to: an issue informally if at all possible, January 2016, becoming asimpler and pensions; discretionary awards; discipline; including discussing the matter with the more streamlined process, improving timeliness and inspiring greater confidence in the system through Service Complaints Te am more open communication. The new Breakdown of all Service Complaints by Category Service Complaints Ombudsman has (Jan 15 –Dec 15) significant new powers, as described Medical and Dental in the Summer and Winter 2015 1% Bullying editions of Envoy,tohold the Services Payand Allowances 16% to account for their management of 19% Service Complaints, and promote an efficient, effective and fair grievance Harassment process for all Service personnel. 6%

Improper Behaviour Who can make acomplaint? 9%

Any serving Service person, in Regular or Victimisation Reserve service, who believes that they 1% have been wronged in any matter relating Discrimination to their service in the Armed Forces, may 3% make acomplaint about that matter. Te rms and Conditions Veterans who believe that they were of Service 45% wronged in any matter relating to their service, and which occurred whilst

12 Spring 2016 www.raf-ff.org.uk FEATURES other party or parties involved, those CarillionAmey Helpline: afforded the opportunity to comment in your Chain of Command or subject 0800 707 6000 (option 5for complaints) where appropriate. Once the Decision matter experts on your Unit. This Body has either granted aremedy ultimately achieves aquicker resolution Joint Personnel Administration or judged the Service Complaint to to the issue and the Service has had Centre: 0141 2243600 be unfounded, you will be given the significant success in assisting personnel Freephone 08000853600 opportunity to appeal the outcome, to resolve their complaints informally [email protected] and if you do, an Appeal Body will rather than through the formal route. be appointed to review the Service Your Unit Equality and Diversity Advisor Service Complaints Ombudsman: Complaint. The decision of the Appeal should always be involved in complaints 020 7877 3450 Body is final unless you decide to refer involving bullying and harassment. There contact@servicecomplaintsombudsman. your complaint to the Ombudsman for are also three areas where aSpecial- gsi.gov.uk further investigation. to-Type procedure must be followed before aformal Service Complaint can What Happens Next? Where can Igotofor support? be submitted. For Housing matters, Your complaint should be submitted in Any conflict situation in the workplace the unit Service Community Support writing to your Commanding Officer, will be stressful for all involved, Officer can offer informal advice, stating the nature of your grievance including families and colleagues. prior to the householder contacting and what remedy you seek –your The RAF has access to awide range CarillionAmey to initiate aformal Unit HR staff have aproforma that will of agencies able to provide free, complaint. Medical and Dental issues capture all required details. Having confidential and impartial advice should be raised with the Unit Medical established that the complaint has and support including: Unit Equality or Dental Centre Practice Manager been submitted within the time limit (3 and Diversity Advisor,Unit Service in the first instance. Concerns with months from the date of the ‘wrong’), Community Support Officer,Unit Pay, Pensions and Allowances should has exhausted the Special-to-Type Medical staff,Chaplaincy,the RAF first be referred to the Joint Personnel process where applicable, and does Mediation Service, ACAS,SSAFA, Administration Centre. not concern excluded matters, your RAFFA, MOD Mental Health Support Commanding Officer will want to website and HIVE Information Service. Once these avenues of potential discuss the Service Complaint with you However,Service personnel must seek resolution have been fully exhausted, and all others it involves, in order to Legal advice if required at their own and if you are still not satisfied, you decide if the complaint is ‘admissible’. expense. should contact your unit HR staff If it is admissible, the Complaint will be (probably OC Personnel Service Flight) forwarded to the Service Complaints Where can Ifind more information? to access the Service Complaints Te am at HQ AIR Command, who will ‘RAF Internal Briefing Note 86/15 – process. The HR staff will also be able appoint aDecision Body (this may be Service Complaints Reform Jan 16’ to provide you with an Assisting Officer an individual or aPanel, and may be outlines the new Service Complaints to advise you and guide you through the your Commanding Officer) to carry process and provides links to additional process if you have not already chosen out further investigations and will sources of information. your own. And don’t forget –anyone have been delegated powers to grant with apotential or ongoing complaint an appropriate remedy if the Service ‘Joint Service Publication 831 –Redress may contact the Ombudsman at any Complaint is upheld. At all stages of Individual Grievances’ provides the time to discuss the matter of concern or of the process you will be informed detailed policy for the management of the conduct of the Service Complaint. of progress and key decisions, and Service Complaints.

www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 13 Forthe past 70 years, the Forces Pension Society has served the interestsoftheArmedForcesandtheirfamiliesastheirindependent pension watchdog. With four schemes now operating, Armed Forces Pensions have never been more complex, so our Pension Advisory Service is busier than ever,dealing with enquiries from our Members.

of being “contracted out” was that The value of the Single Tier Pension to the scheme members pay 1.4% less somebody retiring on or after 6April 2016 NICs than is otherwise the case. For with 35 years’ worth of contributions at the example, aSergeant earning £38K higher rate is £155.65. paid over £500 ayear less in NICs than somebody earning the same Asignificant proportion of the national who is ‘contracted in’ to the Second workforce is going to be in the position State Pension. From 6th April 2016 this of having paid NICs for part of their will cease and everybody in the UK working at the ‘contracted out’ rate who pays NICs will pay them at the and NICs at the new,higher rate for “contracted in” rate. the balance of their working life. If they do not make higher rate contributions So the immediate question readers will for 35 years, they will not get the full ask is “will Ireceive less ‘take home’ £155.65 Single Tier Pension. Further, pay from 6April this year?” The answer some people paid the higher rate NICs is probably “yes”, because despite before joining the Armed Forces or, alikely 1% pay increase, your NICs perhaps, during employment between will increase by the 1.4% difference, periods of service. These higher rate resulting in a0.4% net reduction. contributions will not be ignored in This reduction could potentially be future calculations, as government will nthis article Mary Petley from the obscured by the introduction of the have to assess the position of each IForces Pension Society sets out new pay structure that comes into of us at the point that the Single Tier the 2016 changes to State Pension force on the same day. Pension is introduced. provision, explaining just how they will impact on you. Between 2010 and up to 5April On 6April 2016 the Department for 2016 individuals needed 30 years to Work and Pensions (DWP) will conduct Recently the Forces Pension Society qualify for the full Basic State Pension avaluation of your current state pension has been dealing with alot of enquiries and every year counted. There was entitlement based on two formulae; about the new arrangement for the no minimum number of years of entitlement under the old rules and State Pension which apply from 6April contribution before which individuals entitlement under the new rules, as if 2016. The new arrangement –the were not eligible to receive benefits these new rules had been in place on Single Tier Pension –does not apply to (called a‘vesting period’) –so, let’s the day you started paying NICs in your anyone who had reached State Pension say somebody paid 22 years’ worth working life. DWPwill take the greater of age before 6April 2016 but there are of NICs at the lower rate and made no implications for younger people which the two rates on that date and classify further contribution (perhaps he moved that figure as your ‘Foundation Amount’. need to be understood. This short abroad), he would be entitled to 22/30th article looks at the introduction of the If,on6April 2016, your ‘Foundation of the full Basic State Pension when he Amount’ is lower than £155.65 you will Single Tier Pension as it will relate to reached State Pension Age. current Servicemen and women. continue to add to this figure all the time that you pay NICs up to your State However,from 6th April 2016 those Pension Age. This will be the position for First alittle background. Historically, who reach State Pension Age on or what we all understand as the state after that date ‘contracting in’ and the vast majority of Service personnel. In pension was made up of two parts: ‘contracting out’ status disappears. order to secure the full single tier award the Basic State Pension and Additional This means that Service personnel you will need to have paid NICs at the State Pension (sometimes called will see: ‘contracted in’ rate for 7½ years at some Second State Pension –orS2P – point in your life before you reach your which is how we will refer to it in this a. Their NICs increase by 1.4% State Pension Age. Once you reach your article), designed to supplement the of pay. State Pension Age you no longer pay Basic State Pension. Everyone (save b. The number of years of NICs –could be the biggest pay rise you afew very low paid exceptions) paid contributions required to qualify ever get…! National Insurance Contributions for the full Single Tier Pension (NICs) which count towards their Basic increase from 30 to 35. If you are amember of the Forces State Pension. However the same was c. Anyone who has less than 10 Pension Society and have further not true of the S2P.Many employers’ years’ contributions in total will questions on this or any AFPS issue, pension schemes, including all in not ‘vest’ (or qualify) for anything please email us on pensionenquiries@ the public service and some private from the new scheme –this 10 forpen.co.uk. employers were ‘contracted out’ of the year vesting period applied before If you are not amember but would like S2P; this included the Armed Forces 2010 and is being reintroduced to learn more about us, visit our website Pension Schemes (AFPS). The benefit for the Single Tier Pension. www.forcespensionsociety.org. 1946 –2016

ChrisAdams,FPS Member FIGHTING FOR THE FORCES AND THEIR FAMILIES

Chrissw wroterote to our PensionPension AAddvvisorisoryyS Serviceervicef foror information about his Terminal GGrraanntt.. BeforeBefore contacting us ,,h heeh hadad beenbeen given conflconflicting icting advic e.

We deal with hundreds of such enquiries from our Members helping them through the AFPS pensionpension mazeevery month. Join us and see howwecan help you. Or simply become aMember forthe peaceof mind of knowing we’reheretohelp youwhen you need us.You’llbeingood company; we have more than 45,000 Members.

VALUABLE MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Our Members have access to arange of valuable, through-lifeservices with significant discounts from trusted Affiliates. INDEPENDENT,NOT-FOR-PROFIT FPS HEALTH FPS TRAVEL FPS MOTORING FPS LEGAL &FINANCIAL FPS PERSONAL At the ForcesPension Society, we value our independence. It enables us to serve the interests of our Members as the Armed ForcesPension watchdog. We hold governments of the daytoaccount, arguing JOIN ONLINE NOWAND RECEIVE forbetter pensions and campaigning against AFREE £100 CITYBREAK VOUCHER unfairness in the schemes.For example,our 2015 Visit our websiteatwww.forcespensionsociety.org campaign wonthe rightfor all widows to retain their quoting Promo Code ENV2016 pension on remarriage. (T’s &C’s apply). Membership Youwill receivearange of other membership for youand your partner benefits,too. costs just £37 perannum. JOIN US AND GET MORE FROM YOUR PENSION Forces Pension Society

Amember of 68 South Lambeth Road,Vauxhall, London, SW8 1RL Cobseo The Confederation Tel: 020 7820 9988 -email: [email protected] -www.forcespensionsociety.org of Service Charities FEDERATION ACCOMMODATION MATTERS

by Stan Brathwaite, RAFFFHousing Specialist

Imay be jumping the gun here Unfortunately,not asingle RAF family (otherwise known as the Local but, based on the relatively small attended –yet we know from RAF Customer Service Centre (LCSC)). number of cases with whom we families that reside at Uxbridge, As the title implies, you can walk interact directly (currently about Northolt, Ickenham and West Ruislip in and discuss your immediate 50 per month), compared to the that SFAproblems do exist. housing issue(s) with the CA Advisor. number of ‘response maintenance They will assist you on progressing tasks’ that CarillionAmey (CA) These surgeries are there for residents urgent issues or tasks that have actually perform per month of Service Accommodation and in been dragging on and any other CA (currently about 2,000), there may addition to DIO and CarillionAmey,the concerns that you may have. These be grounds for optimism that the station welfare team also attend. They centres are only part-time and delivery of service to occupants is provide the opportunity for families do not engage with customers by improving? The question mark is with housing issues that they cannot telephone or email. Currently there deliberate, because Iwant to know resolve using the standard process to are 22 drop-in centres, located at if you agree. bring to CA and other appropriate military units across the UK. For the organisations face to face. It’s your RAF,there are centres at Boulmer, However,rest assured that, whilst opportunity to have your say and to Brize, Cosford, High Wycombe, this seems to be ‘good news’, we fully get aformal response. Please find out Marham, Waddington and Wyton. understand that 50 families per month when the surgeries occur at your unit is 50 too many,especially if you are and go along to the next session, even The Future Accommodation one of those families, and that we if it’s just to meet the teams. They Model –Ifyou live in SFA, you will continue to pressure CA on your even lay on beverages and agood will be well aware of many of the behalf to strive for customer service selection of biscuits! We will investigate problems with the current Service excellence. future dates and promote through our Accommodation system –it’s fine eBULLETIN as they are fed in (free to when it works and gives you what CA have anumber of initiatives to help sign up). you need but, for many people, you inform them of your views and it doesn’t. At last, the MOD is recently curiosity got the better of If you have attended one of these recognising that change to the me, so Itook along my Line Manager, surgeries at your unit, we would accommodation ‘offer’islong Colin Jones, to a CarillionAmey/ welcome your thoughts on its overdue. Some Service personnel DIO monthly Housing Surgery at effectiveness compared to, say,using want to live with their family at their Uxbridge to witness for ourselves what Facebook to express your views. place of work and that others want goes on at these events. Imust confess to commute weekly; some want that the number of SFAoccupants Another initiative is the extra rooms for their children to that attended was very disappointing: CarillionAmey Drop-in Centres stay at weekends and holiday time,

16 Spring 2016 www.raf-ff.org.uk FEDERATION others would prefer asmaller home. Some personnel object to having to marry to qualify for SFA. The reality is that there are many different ways in which people want to live, but this is not always achievable in the current system. Youmay have seen in the SDSR announcement in November that the MOD is examining how to modernise the way it provides accommodation for personnel and their families. To achieve this, they must consider some very different, quite innovative solutions. That is the aim of the Future Accommodation Model. The MOD is still developing ideas and no final decision has been taken but we know they are working to the following critical guiding principles in developing anew concept:

•They must support more personnel to buy their own home to give the Service person and their family greater stability.

•Whether personnel have bought their own home or not, they will still need housing close to their place of work. The MOD wants them to be able to choose more freely where, how and with whom they live. So they want to support more personnel to live in the private sector,renting close to their place of work with the help of arental allowance.

•MOD must continue to provide significant support, both financial and non-financial, to enable personnel and their families to live and work where they need to, in the UK and around the world. And this must be done fairly,with the level of support based on need, and adjusted so that no-one loses out just because they have to work in expensive areas. www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 17 FEDERATION

This work is still in development •For owner-occupiers (existing he has undertaken in person to help –they are planning that the new owners), prices increased 7.4% for resolve some of the most pressing SFA system will be piloted in 2018. the same period. issues, in particular on the failure rate But even so, this is achallenging of boilers and central heating systems timescale to deliver such significant •Average mix-adjusted house prices in SFA. It also demonstrates that your change and to get this right, MOD in October 2015 reached £300,000 Families Federation has akey role in needs to consult with personnel and in England and stood at £174,000 bringing these kinds of issues to the experts across the chain of command in Wales, £196,000 in Scotland and minister’s attention and getting him to do to gather ideas and to ensure that £158,000 in Northern Ireland. something about them. the proposal really delivers what people need. They will therefore Letter from the Minster for Defence So my message to you is to keep talking be consulting you on the detail Personnel and Veterans to us and sharing your evidence –itreally throughout 2016. Watch out for The letter below is from the Minister does get used. details as the year progresses. for Defence Personnel and Veterans and demonstrates the level of engagement ©MOD Crown Copyright 2015 Combined Accommodation Assessment System (CAAS) – Please let us know if you are satisfied with your new CAASBanding for Charge. Have you had to submit a formal challenge? Do you consider that CAASisanimproved or fairer system than the previous 4-Tier grading process? Your feedback would be appreciated so that, in turn, we can tell DIO and CA.

Stop Press: Sourced from the Office for National Statistics website: http://www.ons. gov.uk/ons/rel/hpi/house-price- index/october-2015/index.html

•UKhouse prices increased by 7% in the year to October 2015, up from 6.1% in the year to September 2015.

•House price annual inflation was 7.4% in England, 1% in Wales, 0.9% in Scotland and 10.3% in Northern Ireland.

•Annual house price increases in England were driven by an annual increase in the East (10.4%) and the South East (9.5%).

•Excluding London and the South East, UK house prices increased by 5.6% in the 12 months to October 2015.

•Onaseasonally adjusted basis, average house prices increased by 0.8% between September and October 2015.

•InOctober 2015, prices paid by first-time buyers were 5.9% higher on average than in October 2014.

18 Spring 2016 www.raf-ff.org.uk TheUK’sOnlyArmed Forces MotorFinance Broker

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19.9% APRRepresentative TherepreseCantativrFeAPRinmeanans5ce1% or more of ourcustomers whoapplythrough thewebsite andtakeupanoffer of financepay arateof19.9% APRorless. If youare accepted andyour credit historyisgood youcould potentially be offered an APRlower than this rate,ifyourcredithistory is poor youcould potentially be offered an APRhigher than this rate.Finance applications arealwayssubject to status andaffordabilitychecks,writtenquotationsare availableuponrequest. *Not allapplications forfinance will receiveanoffer.For details please contactusbyphone or visitwww.mkcarfinance.co.uk Unique Financial Services SouthEastLTD T/AMKCar Finance ConstableHouse,20Simpson Rd,FennyStratford,Milton Keynes,MK2 2DE Authorised andregulated by theFinancial ConductAuthority.FirmReference Number 666832.

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Team image (property of the RAF FF) L to R: Ruth McClelland, Stan Brathwaite, Julie Price, Nick Crouch, Colin Jones, Jo Wilkinson, Todd Fellows, Caroline Woodward, Bill Mahon.

RAF Coningsby very kindly hosted our worked in 2015 and what can be improved wonderful visit and one that Iwould strongly annual Strategy Day on 14 January. upon for 2016 and beyond. It was achance recommend to anyone interested in the RAF.” Our aim was to establish the strategic for all of us to consider how the Families direction we want to take in 2016 and Federation can continually be of more value Key things to remember about YOUR so agree our activities and priorities for to our customers, the RAF Family.Weall Families Federation: the year.Weagreed that our number had achance to voice our opinions and we •They work with the RAF/MOD and not one priority is to provide avoice for can now go ahead and make firm plans to against them all RAF personnel and their families as take forward over the coming months. •They don’t undermine the chain of best we possibly can. To do that we will command; they work with them but work to: Continue to raise awareness “Wewill be contacting units, to share they dig them in the ribs on your behalf of the Federation; increase survey our intentions, and put our 2016 visit when necessary response rates and use avariety of programme into place. Our Evidence •They will signpost you to the ‘best’ ways to capture evidence. Specialist on Reserves, To dd Fellows has experts to help you if required already started with his programme of •They always maintain your anonymity We were joined by the Coningsby contacting the RAuxAF Sqn’s to arrange and respect your privacy Community Support Te am for a visits and to meet their families which is •They always maintain afair and balanced working lunch, where we were able also extremely important to us. There will approach. to catch up on current news and issues be lots more which we can report on as we –the new pay model had just been progress through our early planning stages Te lephone lines are open Monday to announced, so there was plenty to of 2016. Friday between 10 am and 3pmon discuss! Afantastic finalé to the day was 01780 781650. Voicemails and emails are included –atour of the behind-the- “The last phase of our day took me responded to as apriority,during the next scenes Winter Servicing Programme on completely by surprise. Our visit to the working day: [email protected] the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. BBMF was for me out of my ‘Boys Own Book’ of excitement, and I’m certain that Let us keep you in touch –for free! Evidence Manager,Colin Jones commented our two ladies who are our Covenant Why not sign up to receive Envoy magazine on the day’s event: Coordinators felt the same, having been at home, or receive our weekly eBulletin “Our Strategy Day gave us the vital time moved aside to see apicture our volunteer of all news that’s RAF-related. Simply email to sit down as ateam and discuss what tour guide, Phil Te tlow was sharing. A your details to [email protected]

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www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 21 PARTNERS AND SPOUSES IN BUSINESS ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY BUSINESS

The University of Wolverhampton’s award winning business-start up programme, ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’, has bestowed nine ‘outstanding entrepreneur’awards to service spouses who have set up their own businesses with support from aprogramme for the dependants of Armed Forces personnel. “Without getting on this programme Iwould not have even have had the confidence to give up my day job.”

‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’ has been specifically tailored to meet the needs of Armed Forces families, and was one of the successful bids to the £35 million LIBOR fund made available by Claire Shaw the Prime Minister.Atareception and business fair held at the headquarters of the programme’s commercial sponsor HSBC in Canary Wharf,London, programme delegates were given the opportunity to exhibit and promote their businesses to an invited audience comprising military,government and civilian VIPs.

Nine service spouses were chosen to receive aspecial recognition award for their business acumen, personal determination and drive, can-do attitude, commitment to the programme and support to other delegates.

RAF spouse Claire Shaw of www. shawstudy.co.uk provides specialist maths tuition: “Without getting on this programme Iwould not have even have had the confidence to give up my day job. I was in alucky position where Icould supply-teach whilst Ibuilt my business up so Itook the plunge after signing up for the course. It is something I’d been thinking about for awhile but would never have done it without this course. The programme itself,the mentoring sessions, the Facebook group and the friendly faces all give massive support.”

22 Spring 2016 www.raf-ff.org.uk PARTNERS AND SPOUSES IN BUSINESS BUSINESS START-UPS RECEIVE ‘OUTSTANDING ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS’

“I still attend mentoring sessions and local meet-ups where it is nice to share experiences with people. The showcase day was aparticular highlight and Iwas really pleased and surprised to win my cohort award for Best Business. These events and the Facebook group are great for support and advice. It’s also great to support other people –there are some fantastic services and products that I have purchased from. Iwould encourage anyone who is thinking about starting a business to join this programme.”

The University’s Head of Work-based Learning, Dr Alison Felce said: “I have seen so many talented ladies and gentlemen grasp the opportunity to achieve their ambition and start their own business over the past two years. Amilitary spouse has to overcome many barriers to maintaining continuous and meaningful employment. Setting-up in business is a practical solution for some Service families who are living anomadic lifestyle as they move every two to three years with the military.‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’ is successful because it meets areal need within the Armed Forces’ community as demonstrated by the 260 service dependants who have attended the course and the nine worthy,award winners.”

The programme is in high demand from Service families and in 2014 received significant investment of £600,000 from the HSBC bank to expand the programme throughout the UK and overseas. The programme has been delivered in MOD Cyprus and MOD Germany.The Ministry of Defence also awarded an extra £120,000 of Armed Forces Covenant LIBOR funding to support programme expansion into phase two this year. Armed Forces Corporate Covenant. Small of which adouble-page flyer is included and Medium Enterprises are central to in the Winter ’15 edition of Envoy Simon CMartin, Head of Global Corporate the UK economy,providing the majority of (email [email protected] for a Sustainability said: employment and contributing asignificant free copy to be sent to you). “This is the second year of HSBC’s support proportion of GDP.” for the Armed Forces Dependents’ Business For further information about the Start-Up Programme, “Supporting the The programme is delivered by programme contact The University of Unsung Hero” and we were delighted to host the University of Wolverhampton’s Wolverhampton on 01902 321677 or this year’s event. This programme benefits Business Solutions Centre and is also Email: [email protected], the dependents of service personnel and part of the New Employment Model’s Web: www.wlv.ac.uk/ we are proud of the work we do with the Partner Employment Programme (PEP) supportingtheunsunghero

www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 23 LEGAL AND FINANCIAL Toolstoget

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www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 25 “Providing the Human Touch in everything we do”

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Service personnel are now able to get into •London Mutual Credit Union joined, their spouse can also join the savings habit by having deductions •Plane Saver Credit Union the same Credit Union and save from your pay made straight into asavings •Police Credit Union via Direct Debit. account with one of three Credit Unions. Credit Unions offer aflexible and low-risk It’s up to you which one you Credit Union Trivia Fact way to save if you are unable to, or don’t choose to save with, as we can’t In the United States, the Navy want to open asavings account with abank recommend one over another. Federal Credit Union (for Armed or building society. What we can say is that we’ve Forces, Veterans and Department wanted our personnel to have of Defence Staff) was started in Why is this happening? access to aCredit Union for a 1933 with 7members. It now has In the past some Armed Forces personnel have long time now,soplease have a almost 6million members and had difficulties getting credit, due in part to look! Once the Service person has assets of over $72 Billion! moving regularly and not being able to build up agood credit history.Some have also been targeted by payday lenders. JOININGFORCES The government announced measures last year to help tackle these problems. The first is the SAVINGS&LOANREPAYMENTSTAKEN STRAIGHT FROMPAY setup of apayroll deduction system allowing you to save directly from your salary into aCredit Union. The Credit Unions that are operating TheMOoD hasmadeitpossible forthree of theUK’sleadingcCredituUnions to join forces and make simple savings accounts and loans available to thearmed forces and theirfamilies. the payroll deduction system have changed their criteria to allow Armed Forces personnel to become members, so this means that you can have access to safe, affordable loans.

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www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 29 COVENANT The Armed Forces COVENANT AT WORK

The Armed Forces Covenant has identified that more support is needed on family healthcare, children’s education, spousal employment and commercial disadvantage. Every local authority in Great Britain (and two in Northern Ireland) have signed the Community Covenant.

If you’ve ever wondered just what the Armed Forces Covenant actually does, here are just afew highlights of what has been achieved in these areas.

Commercial disadvantage •Mobile phone providers Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three will now allow Service personnel and their families to suspend phone contracts whilst on overseas deployment, so that they are not required to pay for services that they are not using.

•Next year the Defence Secretary will seek asimilar commitment from the insurance sector,toensure that service personnel should not be financially disadvantaged by insurance premiums because they are posted overseas to support their country. Work is also underway with the Royal Mail to promote the use of the British Forces Post Office Services (BFPO) address system to the financial service sector so that Service personnel and their families can access products and services when overseas.

Spousal employment •ASpousal Employment Tr ial has been launched under the Career Tr ansition Programme. This will run for 2years and started on 1October 2015, with 400 spouses of Service people being offered agrant of up to £1,000 to be spent on training and education to increase their employment options.

30 Spring 2016 www.raf-ff.org.uk COVENANT

•The Department for Work and Housing for you and yours and it is you who Pensions has agreed that spouses In the past 12 months more than decides how it continues to create a returning from overseas are exempt 5,200 Service personnel have been fairer society for the Armed Forces from the ‘habitual residence test’, assisted in getting on the property community.” meaning that they do not need ladder through the Forces Help To Buy to have been resident in the UK scheme; and 99% of UK Service Family Find out more: for the required three months Accommodation meets the top two To find out more about the Armed in order to claim Jobseeker’s Standards for condition. Forces Covenant and what it means Allowance. to you visit: https://www.gov.uk/ The RAF FF has played an important government/policies/armed-forces- Children’s education part in helping to achieve many of covenant –there’s agreat ‘key facts’ •Children of personnel can now get these Covenant initiatives. And our leaflet that shares everything in a school places before moving into an Observations in the Annual Report about snapshot. area, following an amendment to the what still needs to be done have been Schools Admission Code. taken by Ministers and the Cabinet Office If you think you are not getting fair as the basis of an action plan for 2016. access to goods and services because •£21m of Service Pupil Premium you are amember of the Armed payments have been made to support These achievements and more are Forces we want to hear about it. the pastoral needs of over 60,000 described in further detail in the Armed Contact the RAF Families Federation Service pupils in state schools. Forces Covenant Annual Report, which at [email protected] or the was published on 10 December 2015. MOD Covenant team: Healthcare [email protected] •The Covenant has been placed at On the publishing of the report the centre of the NHS constitution, Minister for Defence Personnel and Youcan find the NHS choices, an important step for the delivery Veterans Mark Lancaster said: Armed Forces Community healthcare of local healthcare. Now 81% of pages here: http://www.nhs.uk/ Service personnel report good “The report is the definitive document NHSEngland/Militaryhealthcare/ access to medical care and 98% of of what we have done to uphold the Pages/Militaryhealthcare.aspx Armed Forces families have good nation’s commitment to the Armed access to GPs. Forces community.Please take a To find out whether Forces Help look at it or one of the summary to Buy could help you visit: •The Armed Forces community health versions to get abetter picture of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ pages of the NHS choices website what the Covenant is, and how it can forces-help-to-buy has been updated to create asingle support you. point of access to all information for For online support with making Service personnel. “This Government is committed to informed financial decisions visit the delivering the Covenant, and we MoneyForce website: http://www. •A£2m grant has been issued to set want your feedback on the report, moneyforce.org.uk/ or you can read up an NHS Specialist Rehabilitation so that we know where to direct their own article, shown earlier in this Unit. action next year.The Covenant is issue of Envoy. www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 31 COVENANT BANKS OFFER Better Deal On Mortgages For ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL

Armed Forces personnel posted chiefs and Ministers at No10 Downing Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, overseas will be able to rent out Street, which took place in January Santander UK, Royal Bank of Scotland their homes without facing higher where arange of further measures to and Nationwide –the UK’s biggest mortgage costs or having to change help Service personnel and their families building society –will all offer the their mortgage, Defence Secretary was discussed. support. Michael Fallon and the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) have announced. Where alender does not already Defence SecretaryMichael Fallon said: permit, members of Armed Forces who “Looking after your home and your The commitment from the UK’s rent out their homes during deployment money can be more of achallenge biggest high street banks will benefit will be allowed to keep their existing when deployed on operations or almost 265,000 people in the UK and mortgage and not change to abuy-to-let Serving abroad. This is awelcome first abroad, including Forces families. The mortgage. This will avoid any potential step from the major banks and financial move came ahead of an Armed Forces increased rate of interest or charges, institutions to help our servicemen and Covenant roundtable meeting of banking saving them money and time. women get abetter mortgage deal. I

32 Spring 2016 www.raf-ff.org.uk COVENANT look forward to further pledges from that our mortgage policy ensures they accessible and convenient. That is across the financial services sector to are not are penalised. Having had this in why Iwholeheartedly welcome the support the Armed Forces Covenant place for several years we are delighted Government’s efforts and discussion after the recent roundtable meeting.” to see other lenders now joining us. around what more the banking industry can do as awhole to better serve our Anthony Browne BBA CEO said: “Barclays has already helped over Armed Forces.” “Members of our Armed Forces work 3,700 veterans through our AFTER all over the world to look after us, so employment transition programme For more information on the Armed it’s only right that we look after them. and we are determined to do even Forces Covenant please visit: The extra support proposed by the more to meet the needs of military https://www.gov.uk/government/ banks and the Ministry of Defence personnel and veterans by making collections/armed-forces-covenant- will make sure service personnel and our banking services more flexible, supporting-information their families are not disadvantaged for working aboard and make their mortgages and credit history fairer.”

Of the nearly 800 business signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, 29 are from the financial services sector.

Other measures discussed at the roundtable were aimed at meeting the unique pressures of service personnel and their families, whose jobs require them to relocate and move more often than in civilian life Problems can arise because the financial services sector has difficulty recognising the postcodes of UK military bases abroad –the British Forces Postal Order index provided for free by the Royal Mail –as UK addresses. Time spent serving their country from UK military bases abroad can affect the Forces community’s credit history,and cause difficulties when applying for products that civilians take for granted, for example mortgages and bank accounts. The Forces can also lose out on benefits and cost savings, like no claims bonuses and discounts, which is being discussed with the insurance industry.

Barclays became asignatory in 2013 and is agold award holder in the Employer Recognition Scheme. The bank has had the proposed mortgage policy in place for anumber of years as part of its offering for serving military personnel and is expected to commit to additional measures put forward in the Armed Forces Covenant Roundtable.

Ashok Vaswani, CEO,Personal and Corporate Banking, Barclays said: “It should be apriority for banks to make sure that men and women who serve our country are not disadvantaged in any way as a consequence of their military service. We recognise the personal sacrifice made by our Armed Forces, so it’s right www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 33 NEW KIT FOR THE NEW SEASON

OURNEW SEASON 15% DISCOUNT* RANGE IS COMING SOON IN STORE FORARMED FORCES PERSONNEL ANDONLINE

STORES NATIONWIDE |COTSWOLDOUTDOOR.COM

*Selectedlines only.Not to be usedinconjunction with anyother offerordiscount.Onlyvalid on production of military identificationinstore or useofdiscount code online.Offer expires30.06.16. HEALTH &WELLBEING BUILDING STRONGER FAMILIES

The RAF Benevolent Fund’s Building Stronger Families online course aims to help couples facing relationship difficulties.

The RAF Benevolent Fund offers extra support and has been created Chris, 33, from Birmingham, is you afree, easy-to-access, online with the help of national charity Relate. currently serving with the RAF.He course to help RAF couples deal The RAF Benevolent Fund has worked said: “It really was make or break for with the challenges of family life. with Relate for several years, providing us. The Relate sessions that we had free counselling sessions for those who kept us together ultimately.Wehad The Building Stronger Families feel professional help would be abenefit. one-on-one sessions and sessions course is tailored to the needs of RAF Since its introduction, more than 3,000 together as acouple. Idonot think we families to give couples the skills and RAF individuals have used the service. would have our little girl and the life knowledge they need to deal with that we do now if it wasn’t for the RAF common relationship issues, covering Alison Wyman, Head of General Welfare Benevolent Fund. And for that Iwill be topics like communication, resolving at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: forever grateful. conflict and family life. “No-one knows the RAF Family like the RAF Benevolent Fund. We have been “I know it’s not easy to talk about, I’m supporting RAF personnel and their the kind of person who keeps things ‘I wouldn’t have the life loved ones for almost 100 years. As the bottled up, but Iwould encourage any RAF’s leading welfare charity,the RAF couple who are struggling with the Idonow without the Benevolent Fund knows that RAF families pressures of military life to take the face unique pressures as separation and online course and take up the offer of RAF Benevolent Fund’ deployment take their toll on family life. counselling if they need it.”

“This is why we are launching anew free The service is funded by a£75,000 RAF welfare charity online support course to help couples grant awarded to the RAF Benevolent who are facing difficult times before the Fund from The Armed Forces offers new online problem develops into something more Covenant (Libor) Fund. serious. Building Stronger Families is relationship support just one example of new ways the RAF If you would like more information Benevolent Fund is developing to support or are interested in doing the course, The course is designed to be the first serving personnel with tailored, bespoke visit: http://rafbf.relate.org.uk port of call for couples in need of services designed with the RAF in mind.” www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 35 va Paristogene 6–10september2016 360miles4days inaidof areyouupforthechallenge? register now www.ride25.com/rafbf2016

The RAFBF is aregistered charity in England and Wales (1081009) and Scotland (SCO38109) HEALTH &WELLBEING MELANOMA AWARENESS– Asad lesson for us all

In Nov 15 the RAF Honington community pulled together to host aMelanoma Awareness Event in honour of Louise Cook.

Louise, who is married to SAC Louise said: “I just cried. Iwas 24 Martyn Cook, 25, was diagnosed weeks pregnant, with two small with malignant melanoma. Just children at home, and being told Iwas 15 weeks later she was told the terminally ill with cancer.Iasked my cancer was terminal, having spread consultant to help me live as long as to her ovaries and brain. possible for the children”.

In Feb 13 she met Martyn, who is in Baby Chloe was delivered at 37 weeks the RAF Regiment, and five months in perfect health, weighing 6lb 3oz. later they were overjoyed to discover The couple married in Jun 14, when she was pregnant. Louise immediately Chloe was four months old. That stopped using sun beds but just a Dec, scans showed new lesions on month later amole on her back began Louise’s brain. Radiation therapy had to itch and bleed. Unaware it was a been successful in reducing her brain sign of skin cancer,Louise ignored it tumours but recent scans showed but Martyn’s mum urged her to get more had developed in her ovaries. it checked out. Her GP sent her to In Aug 15 Louise was given the awful hospital to have it removed. news that she had just three months to live and finally lost her brave battle “One of Louise’s on the 12 Nov 15.

wishes was to raise One of Louise’s wishes was to raise awareness for Melanoma and the awareness for adverse side effects of using sun Melanoma and the beds. RAF Honington wives held a Melanoma Awareness charity day adverse side effects and raised £1350. One of the raffle prizes was adinner with the Stn Cdr of using sun beds.” which was won by SACClare Craze and her husband Keith. Sqn Ldr Paula Louise was nine weeks pregnant Willmot cooked adelicious 3course when she was told it was acancerous meal and hosted alongside Gp Capt melanoma and was referred to a Mick Smeath. Whilst all 4enjoyed the specialist to see if the cancer had evening; it was tinged with sadness at spread. the loss of Louise.

Louise stated “I wasn’t overly worried and Group Captain Smeath stated: was hopeful it had been caught early.” “this is an extremely sad and devastating loss for all those who were Six weeks later Louise discovered a touched by Louise. Her family will lump in her neck —she knew it was continue to be supported by the RAF cancer and tests confirmed the worst. Honington community network.” It was then the couple learned they were having ababy girl. Their joy was To carry on Louise’s legacy Martyn short-lived as an MRI scan revealed has now become aMRF certified further lesions on Louise’s lung. The Melanoma Educator.Tofind out more couple were told the cancer was now information contact: stage four and incurable. www.melanoma.org www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 37 FAMILY

ACTIVITY BREAKS OPPORTUNITY for Forces children with additional needs

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, the brand new location of Kingswood try exciting new activities together is offering Forces families the Staffordshire with volunteers supported by SSAFA’strained Short chance to enjoy aunique Short accompanying the children. Breaks team. SSAFAasks that families Break together. make their own way to the centre and This year’s family break will take place provide just £10 per person to cover SSAFA’sannual Short Breaks scheme from August 6-12 offering activities the cost of aday trip. caters for children and young people including sailing, rock climbing, horse- with an additional need or disability riding, king swing and bush craft The siblings and young carers break and their families to enjoy together sessions. The free break is open to for young people aged 8to12will take at the Calvert Tr ust in Exmoor.A families with children aged between place from May 29 to June 4offering a second outdoor activity break will 8and 14 and is an opportunity for variety of fun outdoor activities including run for siblings and young carers at the whole family to bond as they bush craft zones, motorsport buggies, team-building, zipwire and abseiling. It provides avaluable opportunity for young people to spend time with and talk to others in asimilar situation, make new friends, gain independence and build their confidence. Again, SSAFA covers all costs and asks that families make their own way to the centre. We also ask that acontribution for the day trip is provided.

Stephanie Eustace and her husband Mark, an RAF Aircraft Te chnician, have adaughter Felicity,nine, and son Harvey,six, who has autism, ADHD and epilepsy.Stephanie said: “Last year we heard about the SSAFA Sibling Breaks from our local SSAFA branch. Ithought what an amazing opportunity it would be for Felicity to have abreak, make some friends who are in the same boat, and have fun.

38 Spring 2016 www.raf-ff.org.uk FAMILY

“Felicity enjoyed it so much. The volunteers were absolutely amazing and For further information please activities were amazing and she really supported her. contact Hannah Wiltshire on especially enjoyed the abseiling. [email protected] or She was very scared but with some “Whilst she was away we were able to 020 7463 9275. Families who are encouragement, she did it. Her short have quality one-to-one time with Harvey, based overseas are encouraged break has given her lots of confidence, but it also gave everybody along overdue to get in touch and SSAFAwill independence and aseries of stories she break from the difficulties that we face consider applications on acase by loves to tell about her adventures. The with bringing up aspecial needs child.” case basis.

Afriend in need……

We’ve all had times when we could The Association is looking for RAF do with afriend –itmay be to have personnel who are caring, good achat over acup of tea, to give us listeners and have an ability to put alift to the supermarket, to go to people at ease to volunteer to help an evening class with, to help our people in their local community.If children do their homework or just you’d like to take someone under your to show us local cycling routes as wing, you can find out more at we’re new to the area. www.rafa.org.uk/volunteer.

Making new friends is not always easy – it’s even more difficult if you’re alittle shy,newly widowed, new to an area or suddenly find you are asingle parent because your other half is working away.

It is an increasingly common concern that as people live longer and social media continues to grow in popularity, people of all ages are becoming more isolated. This is where the RAF Association wants to help with its new ‘befriender’scheme. …….is afriend indeed

www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 39 OF INTEREST

The Fastest Wayto Slow Things Down… by Sgt Jonathan Brereton

Whether you’re looking for afamily on the boat to steer,whilst at least one all manner of small creatures thriving in holiday with adifference or just want to person works the lock mechanism. this hidden countryside haven. unwind and take life at amore tranquil Don’t worry if you’ve never done it pace, our narrowboat, Lord Portal before; you’ll be taught what to do could be for you. With no itinerary before you’re set free, and by the third you can set your own agenda, holiday or fourth lock it’ll be second nature! at your own pace and moor virtually anywhere you please. In aweek you’re likely to cover the distance you could cover in an hour by car…but the journey will be afar richer one!

The Lord Portal is a66ft semi traditional stern narrowboat owned Seeing the country by canal gives a by the Junior Ranks Welfare Fund at whole new perspective to an area you RAF Cranwell. It is moored on The may already think you know,discovering Grand Union Canal in astunning part waterside pubs, villages, towns and of Northamptonshire, and is available Very quickly you find yourself relaxing historic treasures along the way.This to all service personnel and their into your new surroundings; aworld really is an amazing facility for all the families. It can accommodate up to six leftover from abygone age before family…even the dog is welcome! After a single people comfortably and can be motorways and high speed transport. week on the boat people often say that it reconfigured for avariety of sleeping The canals were the lifeblood of felt more like amonth away from work! arrangements to suit. Tw oactive adults the Industrial Revolution, moving can easily handle the narrowboat. As vast quantities of raw materials and Youcan find more details on you cruise along, one person steers manufactured goods to the coast for this beautiful narrowboat and its and the other members of the crew export across the world. Ironically, availability for the 2016 season on are free to take in the scenery or even it is nature that now relies on these the RAF Cranwell MOSS page (Stn walk the towpath alongside. At locks man-made waterways for survival. Clubs) or email at CRN-Narrowboat- and when mooring one person stays Watch out for Otters, Kingfishers and [email protected].

40 Spring 2016 www.raf-ff.org.uk AT EASE Protecting what matters

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MAKETHE DIFFERENCE Volunteersrequired for SpecialIntelligence Duties Call: 946492916 Email: JFIG DHU-Op SAMSON-Mailbox Search DII for: DHU or Op SAMSON for our recruitment intranetsite G16384 www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 41 TheRoyal Hampstead CIVVY STREET NEEDS Education Trust YOUR HELP. Do you need help with fees for any If you are about to leave the Forces and have time to school, college, or university in the UK? spare, come and work as a part-time volunteer for charity. The organisational skills you learned can be of vital importance to the success of a voluntary organisation – and help give you a new lease of life into the bargain!

REACH provides a free job-finding service throughout the UK and could find you a satisfying, voluntary opportunity nearby.

Phone for details or visit our website at The Royal Hampstead Education Fund provides financial www.volwork.org.uk assistance to help with the education and training of the dependents (up to the age of 25 years of age) of members or ex-members of the UK Armed Forces. Forover 150 years we have helped to provide betterment through education for thousands of the needy dependent children of members of the Royal Navy,Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force. If you require assistance with reach fees for any school, college, or university in the UK, please visit our website and follow the steps outlined to have your 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TP. request considered by our grants committee. Te l: 020 7582 6543 Contact us through: www.rshtrust.com Registered Charity No 278837

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42 Spring 2016 www.raf-ff.org.uk OF INTEREST ‘OUR YEAR SINCE DAD

Malcolm Angel of Cooperative Funeralcare, presenting the new films to RAF Community DIED’ Support Staff.

DVDs. RAF Community Support has purchased aselection of short DVDcartoons aimed at children of all ages who have suffered bereavement. Each one helps by explaining the different stages of grief,coping mechanisms and healing processes.

Titles: Our year Since…

•Dad Died •Mum Died •Granddad Died •Gran Died

The DVDs were commissioned by Cooperative Funeralcare, who kindly provided RAF Units with free copies of their ‘Someone has died suddenly’ book, which has also proved auseful asset for bereaved families.

Acopy of each of the 4films has been sent out to stations by RAF Community Support. So, if you believe ayounger member of your family would benefit from watching one of the films, please get in touch with your Officer Commanding Personnel Management Squadron. Alternatively, please contact RAF Community Support on 01494 496654; they have a few spare copies which they can loan out to an RAF family. DVDs and books. www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 43

LEADERSHIP • CHARACTER • PRIDE • SELF-DISCIPLINE • SPIRITUALITY • SPORTSMANSHIP • RESPECT

Fulland weeklyboarding now available Open Morning: 12 March 2016 Contact us to book aplace or to arrange apersonal tour and interview

The Duke of York’sRoyal Military School is astate boarding school for students aged 11 to 18. We welcome applications from any student who wants to study GCSEs and ALevels at our unique and iconic school with its strong traditions. Why choose us? • Graded ‘Good’ in all areas by • Active lifestyle including Ofsted. sport, music, drama and • Over 80% of our students activities. securetheir first or second • £24.9 million refurbishment choice of University. has delivered anew • Every student is encouraged sports centre, high-quality to achieve their potential in a accommodation and teaching supportive community. blocks and aperforming arts centre. • Military ethos helps develop character and life skills. • Students have the flexibility of full and weekly boarding. 2015/16 fees arejust £11,820* per year. If you qualify for CEA, you will only pay £1,182 per year.

Enquiries: 01304 245073 [email protected] www.doyrms.com

*Fees are reviewed annually Cherish the Important inthings Life

OPENDAY Education for Life... 12thMarch & Co-educationalDay &Boarding from 3-13 7th May 44 (0)1722 333423 | Salisbury, Wilts SP11LR 10am-12.30pm www.chafyngrove.co.uk

Discounts for children from Forces Families 10%for daypupilsand 15%for boarding pupils School fees fixed at CEA +10% of the school fees –thereisnomoretopay.*

Small class sizes, individual learning and superb facilities lead to life-changing opportunities and excellent results. Full boarding available with an exciting weekend activity programme.

Wycliffe Nursery,Preparatory,Senior School &Sixth Form Co-educational day and boarding school for 2–18years To find out more, or to arrange avisit please contact: Charlotte Phillips (Senior) on 01453 820412 or Wendy Robertson (Preparatory) on 01453 820471. Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 2JQ Tw itter @WycliffeCollege wycliffe.co.uk *Terms and conditions apply ** We accept Childcare Vouchers

OPEN DAY

BE PART OF THE EXPERIENCE Saturday 30th April—10 am arrival Please contact us to reserve your place

Co-educational day &boarding: ages 13–18 > telephone: 01823 328204 > [email protected] > www.kings-taunton.co.uk

www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 47 discounts for military families

OPEN MORNING2016 11 June

Who do you ...where happy want to be? children succeed Contact us to arrange your personal visit or flexi boarding taster proudly supporting military families for generations MSJ Buses serve 5counties. Direct trains to Great Malvern. academicexcellence •sporting and creative •the bestinboarding Services discount available. Next Open Mornings~19th March &21st May2016 Places available in Years 8and 12 for September 2016 Come along and see us at the 15 Avenue Road, Great Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3BA. Tel: 01684 584624 Joint Services Command and Staff College Boarding Schools Fair, Defence Academy, Shrivenham, Thursday 25th February,6pm-8.30pm www.malvernstjames.co.uk [email protected] @malvernstjames Independent Pre-Prep and Preparatory School, Boarding and Day, for Boys and Girls 3-13 The Boarding and Day School for Girls aged 4-18 Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1NS ~01425 653181 [email protected]

MONMOUTH SCHOOL AND HABERDASHERS’ MONMOUTH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS Dayand Boarding Boys 3-18Girls 3-18

Alife-changingeducation is closer than you think.

PAYONLY10% OF THE FEES, AROUND £870 PER TERM* *This applies to Service Families who are eligible for the Continuity of Education Allowance, entering the School2016/17. 2015/16. Additional means-tested support, subject to availability,may be offered to families who lose the CEA. www.habs-monmouth.org/forces

48 Spring 2016 www.raf-ff.org.uk OPEN DAY

BE PART OF THE FAMILY Friday 29th April—10 am arrival Please contact us to reserve your place

Co-educational day &boarding: ages 2–13 > telephone: 01823 285921 > [email protected] > www.kingshalltaunton.co.uk

‘Bo arders feel safe and well cared for’ ISI report, October 2014 Our vibrant boarding community offers full-time and flexible boarding for 7–18 years Forces parents pay no more than 10% of fees in Prep and 15% of fees in Senior 01823 703700 www.tauntonschool.co.uk

www.raf-ff.org.uk Spring 2016 49 The Dragon SchoolOxford “Exceptional”

“The quality of children’sachievementand learning is exceptional” IndependentSchools Inspectorate Inspection Report, November 2014

SUMMER OPEN MORNING Saturday 14 May 2016, Day and Boarding

AUTUMN OPEN MORNINGS Saturday 24 September 2016, Boarding Saturday 8October 2016, Day

20% FORCES DISCOUNT

Outstanding boarding and day school for boys and girls, 4to13years

TO REQUEST AN INVITATION OR VISIT T: +44(0)1865315405 E: [email protected] Dragon School, Oxford

Serving parents haven’t missed the boat if the school admissions deadline has passed... Smart kids Service Personnel who missed the local authority October schools admission deadline can still apply for state boarding school –and will be given ahigher priority if they qualify for the MOD’s Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA). That’s the message the State Boarding Schools’ Association (SBSA) is giving forces families applications can be made after who know their circumstances may the October deadline and after change before the new school year. March when day-school places are State boarding is available through 38 allocated. Applications for other year UK schools. Tuition is provided by the groups will be accepted at any time state and parents pay for boarding, of year before the startofYear 10. typically around £4,000 per term, To apply for state boarding, parents below the maximum CEA. complete an application through Smart parents Many state boarding schools set their local authority or the school’s their pupil admissions numbers local authority if they live abroad. Choose astate boarding school (PAN) to cater for the changing Aseparate application formmust and save more than 50% needs of service personnel. Late also be completed for the boarding school. Parents who qualifyfor CEA State boarding is less than half the cost of will be prioritised, regardless of independentboarding because the government whether they live in the same county pays for the education as their chosen school, elsewhere in the UK or overseas. Formore information, visit www.sbsa.org.uk where Call: 020 77981580 you can also download afree Parent’s Guide. Asmartchoice for your child www.sbsa.org.uk

50 Spring 2016 www.raf-ff.org.uk Here’sanother benefit of being amember of the armed forces

SAVE AS Reasons to join the AA affinity scheme: AS MUCH % 1 • More dedicated Patrols than all other UK breakdown OFF services combined3 34 • Members are rewarded with enhanced breakdown benefits WHEN PRICES ONLINE at renewal YRECURRING PAYB 2 YOU PAYMENT • A continued 20% off at renewal ANNUAL • You will have the option to put your AA Membership on hold, for example when you are on duty overseas

To join, call 0800 048 0075 quoting reference F0690

Breakdown Cover

1. Applies to Family Roadside &Relay cover in first year only.Other levels of cover areavailable and varying discounts apply.Offer only available to members of the armed forces by calling the number given, quoting the stated reference and paying annually by direct debit under arecurring transaction arrangement. Enrolment offer available to new Members for their first 12 months of Membership only. Offer not available in conjunction with any other offer/discount or on any other AA product/service. Details correct at time of issue. 2. Renewal offer available to members of the armed forces who areexisting AA Members, or who join under the enrolment offer, and will be available at each renewal date until they cease to be amembers of the armed forces or the withdrawal of this scheme. 3. Mintel –UKVehicle recovery report, September 2014. Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: Fanum House, Basing View,Basingstoke RG21 4EA. Registered in England &Wales, number 2414212. Queen Victoria School Raising to Distinction

Admissions Deadline 15 Jan eachyear

QueenVictoria School in Dunblane is aco-educational boarding school for the children of UK Armed Forces personnel who areScottish, or who have served in Scotland or who have been members of aScottish regiment.

The QVS experience encourages and develops well-rounded, confident individuals in an environment of stability and continuity.

The main entry point is into Primary 7and all places arefully funded for tuition and boarding by the Ministry of Defence.

Families arewelcome to find out morebycontacting Admissions on +44 (0) 131 310 2927 to arrange avisit. Queen Victoria School Dunblane Perthshire FK15 0JY www.qvs.org.uk