Airplay Youth Support Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families © 4Children and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, May 2013 Designed and published by 4Children, www.4Children.org.uk Photographs reproduced with the kind permission of footprintphotography.co.uk, Gary Manhine, Mark Davies, and RAF Benevolent Fund. Contents
Background to the Airplay programme 4 Purpose of this report Forewords 5 Introduction 7 The role and relevance of youth work within the RAF community 9
How Airplay Youth Support is delivered 10 Safeguarding Airplay Youth Support in numbers
How Airplay supports children and young people 12 Important reassurance during deployment
Key themes 14 Activities, participation, community and support
Airplay Youth Support in practice 15 RAF Cosford youth club makeover Tri-Service Youth Forum (TSYF) The PROUD Project - RAF Leeming Airplay movie Junior School Deployment Forum - RAF Odiham
A parent’s perspective on Airplay 26
A young person’s perspective on Airplay 27
An RAF Service personnel perspective 28
The people who deliver Airplay 29 Community Development Officers and 4Children station youth workers describe why Airplay is so valued by the RAF community
Making a difference 32
Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 3 Background to the Airplay programme
Airplay is the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund’s (RAFBF’s) twelve-year, £24 million support Purpose of this report programme for children and young people This report will focus on the Youth Support element of whose parents are serving in the Royal Air the Airplay programme. It will highlight some of the issues Force. As the RAF’s leading welfare charity, and challenges that the children and young people who the RAFBF initiated the Airplay programme in attend the provision face. The report will demonstrate how response to research which found that keeping the programme is meeting the needs of the children and young people safely occupied on stations young people who live on RAF stations within the UK. was RAF families’ second biggest concern Interviews were conducted with children and young after housing. At a time of unprecedented people, 4Children’s youth workers, RAF Community operational and organisational pressures on Development Officers and parents to collect information the RAF, the RAF Benevolent Fund is proud for this report. The young people were interviewed in to be able to help ameliorate some of these groups, alongside their peers and youth workers, by a concerns. digital artist who recorded what Airplay means to them in their own words. Whilst provision for children and young people previously existed on RAF stations, its reach and quality varied This report (published May 2013) does not mark an end significantly according to local resources, and had point, rather a period of reflection on what has been generally declined in recent years due to operational achieved so far and what Airplay can look to achieve in the commitments. The RAFBF’s investment in Airplay means future. that all main RAF stations are now able to provide affordable and easily accessible childcare facilities; brand new recreational facilities and games areas which are both safe and stimulating; and a year-round programme of activities for children and young people run by a network of trained youth workers.
The programme has been developed as part of the charity’s commitment to providing support which helps relieve strain on hard-pressed serving families. It is the first of its kind in the Service community and represents a serious commitment to children and young people within the RAF community.
Airplay Youth Support seeks to raise the quality of provision across all RAF stations so that children, young people, and their parents/carers can rest assured that wherever in the UK they may be based, Airplay will be there to provide a warm welcome and a supportive environment.
The RAF Benevolent Fund has developed three main strands for its Airplay programme: Airplay Childcare Centres – Constructing and/or equipping 25 childcare centres for the delivery of childcare and early years services on or near almost all RAF stations.
Airplay Play Parks – The provision of 73 recreational facilities on 28 RAF stations, including state of the art new Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs) and refurbished play parks.
Airplay Youth Support – The RAF Benevolent Fund has commissioned national charity 4Children to deliver a network of over 80 trained youth workers on stations, working in partnership with RAF Community Development staff to provide a programme of safe and stimulating activities for young people on stations.
4 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families Foreword by the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund
As the Royal Air Force’s leading welfare charity, supporting young people, and their serving parents, are now much the RAF family is at the heart and soul of what we do and more effectively supported on RAF stations, despite the we work closely with the Royal Air Force to ensure that demands of military life. we deliver support where it is needed most. Indeed, our decision to set up the Airplay programme was in direct The Airplay programme has come a long way. Most of response to the RAF’s request for assistance, following the childcare centres, play parks and MUGAs are now research which showed that keeping young people safely built. Airplay Youth Support continues to develop and occupied on stations was RAF families’ second biggest evolve. What we can now see is the delivery of a leading concern after housing. programme, unique in the Armed Forces community, which provides demonstrable, positive effects on children There are three strands to the Airplay programme: Airplay and young people in order to help them cope better Childcare Centres, Airplay Parks and Airplay Youth with the stresses of military family life. All this has been Support. Building on the RAF Benevolent Fund’s £12 underpinned by a hugely impressive partnership between million investment in childcare facilities for RAF serving the RAF Benevolent Fund, RAF Community Support and personnel, the construction of play parks, multi-use games 4Children. The Benevolent Fund is extremely proud that areas (MUGAs) and youth shelters, and the provision Airplay has achieved such success on the ground and of Airplay youth workers, provided by national charity that the charity continues to be at the forefront of provision 4Children, have more than met our expectations. Through across the spectrum of support for all members of the first-hand accounts and statistics gathered over two RAF family – from the youngest child to the oldest veteran. years, this report demonstrates that the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Airplay programme is having a significant positive Paul J. Hughesdon impact on members of the RAF community – from children Director Welfare & Policy and young people and their parents, to RAF Community RAF Benevolent Fund Support staff. As a result of the programme, children and
Foreword by the Royal Air Force
Airplay Youth Support came about as a result of an a track record of delivering high quality provision. Airplay identified need for provision for young people on stations, has developed through the contribution made by the particularly at a time when serving personnel within the trained workers employed by 4Children working together Royal Air Force are involved in operations around the world with RAF Community Development Officers and supported and the capacity for volunteers to provide programmes for by volunteers and this has enabled the programme to young people is reduced. respond to the changing needs of the RAF family.
The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund recognised that Airplay is still developing; however the achievements providing opportunities for young people significantly made in a short period are evident and this report gives an enhances support to families and contributes to building insight into the progress made by the Airplay teams across a greater sense of community on RAF stations and in the England, Scotland and Wales. With the continued support surrounding Service Family Accommodation areas. The of an enlightened Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, and Benevolent Fund’s vision and financial support has enabled the partnering arrangements with 4Children and RAF a partnership to be developed with 4Children and RAF Community Support, the potential to develop youth work Community Support to deliver high quality youth provision across the RAF family is unlimited. that goes from strength to strength. Damian Pinel I recognise the benefits brought about by the partnership Chief Community Development Advisor with 4Children, including the support and challenge RAF provided through working with a large national charity with
Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 5 Foreword by 4Children
4Children delivers childcare, family support and youth services across more than 100 settings, including children’s centres, nurseries, schools and RAF bases. As one of the largest children and family charities in the country we believe that children and families should be at the heart of our society and actively involved in shaping the decisions about the services they need. We also deliver and support out of school programmes and the new generation of ‘myplace’ youth hubs.
All young people need access to safe places to go, great activities to take part in, and someone they can trust from whom they can get advice and support. For the children of Service personnel this is even more important because of some of the very real, additional challenges they face every day. We are proud to be part of this vital programme which – as this report highlights – is making a real difference to the young people of the RAF and their families.
At a time when youth services are being cut back in many communities it is fantastic to be part of a new programme that is expanding, redeveloping and has ambitious plans for the future. As the national charity all about children and families, 4Children has been at the forefront of championing the need for better support for young people for 30 years because we know the difference high quality youth work can make. Thanks to the RAF Benevolent Fund, Airplay is once again proving just that.
Anne Longfield OBE Chief Executive 4Children
6 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families Introduction
The Airplay Youth Support programme commenced, as Each organisation involved in the Airplay Youth Support a national project, in September 2010 and is now in its programme is proud to be part of the RAF Benevolent third year. The programme is funded as part of the Royal Fund’s flagship programme, supporting children and young Air Force Benevolent Fund’s £24 million commitment people from across the RAF. We are all working hard to to the RAF family. Airplay Youth Support is delivered ensure that the needs of each RAF dependant are met by a committed team of 4Children youth workers on through structured activities, holiday programmes and one to each RAF station, either within a dedicated youth or one support whenever necessary. community centre, or as an outreach project that enables the youth workers to reach RAF dependants in more In order to achieve this, Airplay offers a pledge to every outlying communities. Airplay Youth Support is managed young person, parent, and carer who comes into contact nationally through a three-way partnership between the with the programme. RAF Benevolent Fund, the national charity 4Children, and Royal Air Force Community Support. It is delivered locally by 4Children who provide a network of over 80 trained youth workers to meet the project’s objectives, and representatives from RAF Community Support, who offer local support and direction at each location.
The Airplay Youth Support objectives are:
uu Provide quality, innovative youth activities for children and young people in RAF communities.
uu Offer a wide range of fun, energetic, cultural, educational, creative and leisure activities to support children and young people to reach their full potential.
uu Involve and consult children and young people whenever decisions are made within the Airplay Youth Support programme which affect them.
uu Employ and train qualified youth workers and volunteers who will listen to, and help, children and young people get the support they need.
uu Reassure serving parents/carers, that their child will be able to enjoy supervised activities in a safe environment, especially when they are away.
uu Through the above, reduce stress on RAF families.
Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 7 The Airplay Youth Support programme is delivered on RAF stations across the UK
1. RAF Lossiemouth 2. RAF Leuchars 3. RAF Boulmer 1 4. RAF Leeming 5. RAF Linton-On-Ouse 6. RAF Valley 7. RAF Scampton 2 8. RAF Waddington 9. RAF Digby 10. RAF Cranwell 3 11. RAF Wittering 12. RAF Coningsby 13. RAF Shawbury 14. RAF Cosford 4 15. RAF Henlow 5 16. RAF Wyton & Brampton 17. RAF Honington 7 18. RAF Marham 6 8 9 12 19. RAF Brize Norton 10
20. RAF Benson 11 18 21. RAF High Wycombe 13 14 22. RAF Northolt 16 17 15 23. RAF Halton 23 24. RAF Odiham 19 21 20 22 25. MOD St Athan 25 24
8 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families The role and relevance of youth work within the RAF community
4Children employs trained youth workers to ensure that Good youth work is based on dialogue and has the values and beliefs of youth work are apparent in all educational goals (Smith 1988).2 Youth workers have a Airplay settings. commitment to developing positive, non-judgmental, and crucially voluntary relationships with young people. In 1 the majority of Airplay locations youth work takes place The National Youth Agency describes the in a youth club or community centre but it can also take underlying values of youth and community place on the streets, around living quarters, or wherever work as: young people are. Youth workers operate in a variety of 1. Respect for basic human rights e.g. settings and use a diverse range of methods. As well as operating in centres or on the street, in schools and justice, freedom. colleges, they operate in specific projects that target particular groups of young people, and in multi-agency 2. Respect for the individual and rights to teams such as the NHS who promote healthy outcomes self determination. to young people. Airplay operates within the context of the Ministry of 3. Respect for the different cultures and Defence’s (MOD’s) Children and Young People’s Strategy religions in society. and Improvement Plan 2010-2013.3 The MOD’s vision for supporting children and young 4. A commitment to empowerment and people is: participatory democracy. ‘Harnessing the positive benefits 5. Collaborative working relationships and of living in a Services community collective action. to ensure that every Service child and young person’s experiences and 6. An acknowledgement that all opportunities help them to achieve relationships and activities with young the best possible outcomes whilst also supporting, protecting and intervening people are based on their consent. where needed, to help those most (Cited in Banks 1999, p10)1 vulnerable, to achieve their ambitions.’
2 Smith, M. (1988). Developing Youth Work. Milton Keynes: Open University Press 3 Children and Young People’s Strategy and Improvement Plan 2010-2013. 1 Banks, S. (1999). Ethical Issues in Youth Work. London. Routledge MOD Children and Young People’s Trust Board
MOD’s Children and Young People’s Strategy and Improvement Plan
Of the ten priorities that the plan covers, the first six are particularly relevant to the Airplay programme:
1. Developing a unified and proactive strategy to 4. Ensuring that all our children and young people are mitigate the potentially adverse affects of mobility and supported and protected and that they feel safe. deployment. 5. Providing a structured and coordinated range of 2. Promoting and supporting healthy lifestyles to secure opportunities for Service children and young people to the physical, spiritual, social and emotional wellbeing have their voice heard and to help shape the services of all Service children. available to them.
3. Providing inspirational and exciting learning and play 6. Providing access to a range of learning pathways so activities that ensure Service children and young that our young people are able to meet the challenges people raise their expectations and achieve at the of adulthood and to enter the world of work. highest possible levels.
Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 9 How Airplay Youth Support is delivered
Airplay Youth Support is delivered to children and young people within the RAF family, aged between eight and 18 Safeguarding years.4
In many locations, Airplay Youth Support has been able 4Children, the RAF Benevolent Fund and the Ministry of to build upon youth provision already in place and run Defence believe that children and young people have the by dedicated volunteers. The investment in paid, trained right to be completely secure from both the fear and reality youth workers has enabled these existing projects of abuse, and are strongly committed to protecting all to develop further and maintain consistency around children from harm. opening times and quality. The nature of RAF life means that dedicated volunteers can be deployed resulting in youth work losing its momentum. The development of We have a duty to: Airplay has increased the capacity for RAF Community Development Officers to offer regular youth activities and uu Protect children from maltreatment. support to their communities. uu Prevent impairment of children’s health Across the UK, Airplay Youth Support employs over 80 youth support workers, including 26 4Children station or development. youth workers. uu Ensure that children grow up in Each RAF station has an Airplay team led by a 4Children circumstances consistent with the station youth worker (SYW) supported by a small team provision of safe and effective care. of sessional youth support workers all employed by 4Children; in most locations they are also supported by uu Take action to enable all children to have volunteers. Each youth worker is tasked locally by the Station Community Development Officer, whose role is the best outcomes. to support the community, including dependants. The Airplay teams are also supported by 4Children Area Youth Nationally and locally Airplay has robust measures Work Coordinators, to ensure that their own professional in place to ensure that all projects operate in a safe development needs are met and that they are delivering in manner. Everyone involved in Airplay Youth Support line with the Airplay Youth Support objectives. delivery, at whatever level, is trained in safeguarding and child protection, working successfully to both Each project within Airplay pays particular attention to 4Children and Ministry of Defence policies and processes. how children and young people can actively participate in Local safeguarding procedures approved by the Local the development of provision at their station. This ranges Safeguarding Children’s Boards are also adhered to and from young people being consulted on the content of the all policies have recently been reviewed in the light of the programmes, to the development of youth forums both at revised guidance published by the Secretary of State: a local and national level. At some stations young people, Working Together to Safeguard Children, A guide to who are slightly older, are offered an introduction to youth inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the work training and encouraged to volunteer at the Airplay welfare of children (March 2013). projects. Operationally, all safeguarding and child protection matters Each Airplay Youth Support project takes part in the are reviewed by the Airplay Youth Support’s Operational ‘Aiming Higher’ programme which is 4Children’s quality and Contract Management Boards and by 4Children’s improvement framework. It encourages each team, and Safeguarding Board to ensure operational compliance the young people, to look at their provision critically and and the continual improvement of policy and practice. identify potential gaps or opportunities to develop the This approach has ensured that safeguarding has been provision further. Aiming Higher is all about aspiring to effective without issue. deliver the best service possible for users and ensuring that young people’s views are at the very heart of youth provision.
4 In specific circumstances where there is an identified need, sufficient capacity and compliance with legislative requirements, this age range may be extended.
10 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families Airplay Youth Support in numbers
The success of Airplay Youth Support is An increase in Airplay Youth Support members grounded within the quality of the programmes on offer and the relationships which youth September 2011 – December 2012 workers are able to foster with children and 3000 young people. Without this quality, children and young people would not continue attending week after week, and year after year.
By December 2012, Airplay Youth Support 2500 attracted 2,610 members across the UK based RAF stations. This compared to 2,449 members in May 2012 and 1,901 members in September 2011 2000
By December 2012, Airplay Youth Support on average delivered 99 youth work sessions per week, across 25 locations in the UK. 1500
1000
500
0 September 2011 May 2012 December 2012
During the six months from April to Proportion of attendances of Airplay Youth Support September 2012 the Airplay Youth Support provision was attended 22,596 times. provision by children and young people, April – September 2012 11,496 of these attendances were by males, and 11,100 were female.
The focus age range for the Airplay Youth 7% Support programme is eight to 18 years. Where appropriate there is limited provision for under eights. 30% Out of the 22,596 attendances of the Airplay Youth Support provision from April to September 2012, 1,592 were by children under eight-years-old – with the majority of these being during school holidays. The most popular age range for attending the provision was by eight to 12 year olds, with 14,141 attendances. 6,863 attendances were by Under 8 year olds young people aged between 13 and 18. 63% 8 to 12 year olds
13 to 19 year olds
Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 11 How Airplay supports children and young people
First and foremost, children and young people from RAF families face the same issues and dilemmas growing “I was lucky, I’ve only moved once up as any other young people. Airplay does not solely but loads of people have moved more concentrate on issues that only relate to RAF dependants. For the most part, the programme is involved in delivering than that. I feel for them, moving is fun, challenging and structured programmes and activities, hard. Youth workers definitely help the both during term time and throughout the school holidays. transition of moving around.” Airplay aims to give children and young people a place to go, something to do and someone to talk to – whatever Female aged 15 from RAF Waddington their personal circumstances. “I moved to RAF Benson not too long Airplay also recognises that as well as the traditional highs ago, and found it hard to start again. I and lows that children and young people face, many of the young people who attend the Airplay programme have met some really nice guys that go to my additional issues to deal with as a result of their parents or school, and they invited me to the youth carers roles in the RAF. club so I went one Monday. I really enjoyed it there, the youth worker Ofsted recorded that “the combination of deployment of a family member and regular moves of home and school greeted me, and told me what there was can cause anxiety and stress for Service families whether to do, and my new friends helped me living in the UK or overseas: education is disturbed, social settle in. Now, I go every Monday and networks are disrupted and parents left behind have to have met some more friends, and I have cope with the effects of being a ‘single parent’”.5 a laugh there. The youth workers are friendly and we can go to them if we Key Ofsted findings included: have problems, it’s a good start to the week.” uu Service children were generally susceptible to emotional disturbance Male aged 15 from RAF Benson while a parent or other family member was on active deployment. Deployment of a family member or other loved ones also brings particular challenges to children and young people uu Continual moves had a considerable who attend Airplay provision. An American study (Jenson et al 1996) looked at the effect on children and young impact on Service children and people whose parents were deployed during Operation young people’s social and emotional Desert Storm. The study found that there were higher development and their friendships. levels of anxiety and depression than those young people whose parents were not deployed.6 Young people who attend Airplay find the lead up to a deployment is also a Children and young people who attend Airplay Youth very stressful and challenging time for their families. There Support report that the transient nature of their lives is are changes in daily routines and roles to consider, as well very difficult to deal with. Families attached to the RAF as the level of understanding from their peers who aren’t can move every two to three years, bringing the challenge attached to the RAF. of making new friends and leaving old friends behind. Responses from young people have indicated that “Your Dad’s going to get shot today,” said to a leaving friends behind is often the issue which they find 10-year-old girl from RAF Shawbury at school by one of the hardest to deal with. This theme was also echoed by her peers. children and young people from all three Services – RAF, The Jenson study discovered that boys displayed Navy and Army – attending the inaugural Tri-Service Youth symptoms of anxiety and depression more than girls. Forum held in London in November 2012. Young men from the Airplay project have talked about the difficulty in adjusting to roles when their Dad is away and how they often feel that they have to step up.
6 Jenson, P.S., Martin, D., & Watanabe, H. (1996). Children’s response to parental separation during Operation Desert Storm. Journal of the American Academy of 5 Ofsted (May 2011). Children in Service families. No. 100227 Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
12 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families Many RAF stations are located in isolated rural areas “My Dad is never close by, so the things meaning children and young people do not have easy I was supposed to be taught as a child, access to facilities and services that are provided in more what is usually stereotyped as a male populated areas. Airplay aims to fill that gap, either by providing activities on the station or offering trips offsite thing, I’ve had to teach myself or find a to places such as the theatre, cinema, theme parks or way around it.” sporting events.
17-year-old male from RAF Brize Norton However, it would be wrong to assume that the experiences that young RAF dependants have are only negative. Most young people who attend Airplay Youth The effect of deployment can also continue immediately Support really enjoy their lives and recognise the skills they after deployment. When roles are reverted back to have developed as a result of being part of the RAF family. the ‘norm’ there is also the knowledge that the next Many young RAF dependants are confident, resilient and deployment may be just around the corner. have well developed social skills.
“It’s good to know he’s safe, but he could “Living with the RAF has given me social always go away again. When they’re in skills and the understanding of different Afghan it’s like an empty space in the cultures and ways of living. I’ve been to room. When he comes back the house is nine or 10 different schools in my lifetime whole again.” and it makes you struggle with having to make new friends.” 11-year-old girl from RAF Shawbury describing what it is like when Dad is away 14-year-old from RAF Waddington
Some of the young people with whom Airplay work attend Airplay Youth Support plays a crucial role in enabling boarding school which provides continuity of education young people to develop these skills further, while also avoiding interruptions caused by moves. Airplay Youth addressing the specific issues and concerns that they Support has a very important role to play with these young face. people, through holiday provision at each station. Airplay can take the pressure off parents and carers by providing fun and challenging activities during the holidays which also enable the children and young people from boarding school to get back into the ‘swing’ of life on the station and re-engage with friends and peers. Important reassurance during deployment
The RAFBF invested in Airplay having recognised that Each Airplay team is required to deliver a programme children and young people from RAF communities that specifically meets the needs of their particular station face particular challenges that relate to their parents’ and community. Much of the Airplay provision is based employment. It is also recognised that extra support in youth and community centres inside the security around times of deployment can provide a high degree perimeter.Although this does not necessarily exclude of reassurance to serving parents. Knowing that their young people from the wider community, these projects children have access to consistent, quality youth provision largely support children and young people from within the which is tailored to meet their needs is one less thing RAF family. In those locations where provision is outside for parents to worry about when they are about to be the security perimeter but still on the station (located near deployed. For the remaining parent or carer, the Airplay Service families’ housing areas, for example), or is based Youth Support programme brings some ‘respite’, knowing in centres situated in town centres, these attract young that three times a week or during the day time in the people from across the wider community in addition to school holidays, their children can spend time in a safe, those from the RAF family. supported and fun environment.
Each RAF station has its own characteristics depending “It’s somewhere you know they are safe, on its operational role and location, this in turn impacts on the experience of the families living on that station and they get to try new things.” including the likely level of mobility. Some RAF stations are located in isolated, rural areas while others are very close Parent, RAF Boulmer to large urban areas.
Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 13 Key themes Airplay Youth Support can broadly be defined by four key themes
The activities offered to children and young people who attend on a session by session basis, as well as holiday activities, include group work in the youth centre focused on increasing participation and often about a specific issue such as healthy eating, or focused on a particular event or date. Airplay offers a range of activities including arts and crafts, digital arts, Activities: sport and team building. During holiday periods the activities include trips away and residential events, where young people are able to spend time away from home to learn new skills. The focus of activities is informal learning so children and young people can learn through their experiences and develop new skills and confidence.
This ranges from young people having a say in what is delivered locally, to attending events where they can talk face to face with key decision makers from the RAF or the wider MOD. Participation is ensuring that children and young people play a pivotal role in the youth provision that is aimed at them. It means that not only is Airplay ensuring that provision is Participation: relevant to the needs of members but that children and young people are also developing skills and confidence as they participate. Through actively developing programmes that encourage meaningful participation, young people are learning about negotiation, communication and getting their point across. It is very important that children and young people have a strong sense of ownership of the Airplay project at their RAF station.
Airplay often works with children and young people who have moved every two or three years since they were born. This is part of RAF life and most children and young people become very resilient and deal with change well. Airplay aims to assist children and young people in this process and make the transition from one station to another as smooth as possible. It does this by ensuring that new arrivals are aware of the youth provision as soon as they arrive and that there is a friendly face to introduce them to the station. By being part of the developing RAF wide Airplay programme, there is increasingly a brand that is easily recognised by families and trusted by children and young people. There are some stations where the majority of family accommodation is located within the wider community. Airplay Youth Support does not compete or replace other local provision delivered by the local authority or by voluntary organisations. Instead it works with other providers to ensure that RAF Community: dependants have access to the services that are on offer. Airplay does not exclude children and young people from the wider community, as in many cases this develops the relationship between communities and helps RAF families feel more settled.
Airplay projects are part of the wider net of community support at each station, and in turn encourages the community to take an active role, through volunteering. 4Children station youth workers are also encouraged to develop projects that benefit the wider community. For example, some projects have developed litter picking days where young people and adults have worked together. Other projects have delivered activities as part of local community events. In some locations Airplay has a prominent role in local schools, to provide support to RAF dependants outside of the youth club. In other settings the Airplay project has linked up with other youth groups to bring different parts of the community together.
At particular times children and young people from any background need extra support or advice. 4Children station youth workers are ideally placed to do this, or to signpost them to the appropriate specialist support. There are also stressful situations which RAF families face, such as the deployment of a family member overseas. Part of the 4Children station youth Support: worker’s role is to help children and young people through these difficult times – providing an additional person to talk to outside of the family. Airplay brings together children and young people in groups to explore the issues around deployment in a collective way, as this often reduces the sense of isolation by knowing other young people experiencing similar situations.
14 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families “It’s about bringing the RAF children and Airplay Youth Support their families into the community – even though they move about a lot.” in practice Female aged 16 who lives near RAF Brampton
Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 15 RAF Cosford youth club makeover
Purpose Before Airplay existed the youth club at RAF Cosford was run down and lacked an identity that made it attractive to young people. Airplay needed a hook to get young people through the door so that the youth workers could start to build positive relationships and build the credibility of the programme. The youth workers and the young people jointly came up with the idea of decorating the building to make it attractive to young people and to give them a strong sense of ownership of the Airplay programme. Making it happen The young people met with a local professional graffiti artist to discuss design ideas and plan the murals. The station gave permission for the artwork to take place and a couple of days was set aside during the school holidays to get the work done. The designs were based around their lives at RAF Cosford, there was the obvious references to life in the RAF community, but also other interests such as film and music.
The artist was skilled and experienced, related well to the young people and was able to get a group of young people to take part and make the mural their own. The young people used spray cans to create and colour the images, and were able to call upon the artist whenever they got stuck and needed help. Outcome The building was immediately transformed, it became a vibrant and pleasant place to be that looked very different to any other setting at RAF Cosford. Many of the young people had never taken part in an activity such as this and at first were not confident that the murals would look so good. As they completed the murals their confidence grew, as did the level of pride in the work that they “Airplay helped me settle into completed. It gave the youth club a strong identity and the Waddington, without them I wouldn’t young people a strong sense of ownership. The murals be exposed to the social circle and I also acted as a catalyst to get more financial support from the station to purchase new carpets which really gave the wouldn’t be as sociable and would building a complete makeover. probably stay indoors all the time.”
Female aged 15 from RAF Waddington
“It’s made me “Airplay helps me to a lot more make new friends” confident at Female aged 12 from school.” RAF Boulmer Male aged 12 from RAF Lossiemouth
16 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 17 Tri-Service Youth Forum (TSYF)
Purpose Outcome The MOD’s Children and Young People’s Strategy and During the Tri-Service Youth Forum, young people from Improvement Plan (2010-2013) pledges to: ‘provide across the three Services identified the following five key opportunities for children and young people to have their issues: voice heard’. As part of this commitment the Tri-Service Youth Forum was set up with funding from the Royal uu Curriculum British Legion. The TSYF provided young people from uu Moving across the RAF, the Navy, and the Army an opportunity to get together over a weekend to spell out the issues that uu Isolation most affect them. Airplay was used as the vehicle to get uu Redundancy RAF dependants involved and prepared for the forum and to be able to present their views confidently and represent uu Age restrictions their peers. Representatives from across the MOD and the military Making it happen support charities were able to listen first hand to the concerns of young people, who presented their issues Each local Airplay project nominated one or two young in a very passionate and moving way. The key points people from each station to attend the national forum. To will be used to inform decisions about how to support prepare the young people, Airplay delivered two regional dependants in the future. The opportunity to involve young residential weekends to enable the young people to get people from across the three Services was highly valuable to know each other, to develop skills in preparing and and over the weekend the young people discovered that delivering presentations, and to provide an opportunity they share many of the same concerns. This enabled to develop their confidence through challenging outdoor many barriers and stereotypes to be broken down. activities. The regional residential weekends were intensive for the young people and required them to work hard The regional residential weekends ensured that the together. The young people explored issues around young people representing the RAF were well prepared identity, negotiating and influencing, and the challenges and confident. The TSYF has also been the driver for a that they face as RAF dependants. committed group of young people from across the RAF to become more involved in the development of the Airplay In November 2012, 16 young people attended the programme. They have become ambassadors for Airplay Tri-Service Youth Forum from stations across the UK. and are able to represent their peers and communicate Alongside other young people from the Navy and the Army the benefits of the programme. The young people who they identified the top five issues that they face in their have attended the inaugural TSYF will now act as peer lives. In ‘tri-service’ groups the young people spent the mentors and trainers to enable other young people to weekend putting together their presentations to deliver to become active participants in shaping the services RAF an invited group of key decision makers from the MOD, dependants receive. the individual Services and the military charities.
18 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families “At the TSYF we learned valuable life skills such as presenting and expressing our views in the right manner. We also learned some amusing skills such as catching a ball one handed and how to stick a sticker onto someone’s back without them noticing! Among the key issues identified were movement, deployment, and isolation. I enjoyed going to the London Eye and the Christmas market the most. I also enjoyed learning all the things needed for a great presentation. My best memory is meeting everyone and making loads of new friends.”
Female aged 14 from RAF Lossiemouth
Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 19 The PROUD Project - RAF Leeming
The station youth magazine also did a special PROUD Purpose edition which included interviews, articles and artwork that Airplay at RAF Leeming developed the PROUD project. the young people produced to show what they are proud PROUD stands for: of. Parents Outcome The PROUD project enabled young people and adults RAF/Army/Navy to get together to celebrate their lives, to identify the more negative aspects and devise strategies to deal with SchOols them. It became a project that went beyond Airplay and involved the whole community. The litter picking events Understanding were organised by young people but importantly, many people took part, developing a sense of community and Different Places cooperation.
The project was developed as a response to a generally negative view of forces life that was prevalent at the time. “The Youth Council organised a litter pick The project aimed to work with young people, and their and 30 people came. We did this event as parents to identify the positive aspects of their lives and to one of our themes called ‘Proud of our develop a sense of pride amongst the young people. community’. We picked up 18 bags of litter around on camp.” Making it happen Female aged 13 from RAF Leeming Each week the youth workers facilitated discussions on topics exploring the issues of Service life including:
uu What their parents do in the military and how the young people feel about what they do. uu Young people’s views on the three Services and the differences between them. uu How the young people’s school life differs from their peers who are not part of the military, including how it feels to change school on a regular basis, making new friends and leaving friends behind. uu Understanding feelings around movement, deployment, and how other people understand the military life. uu The places that young people have been to as part of their military life, where they have visited and lived, their favourite places and how they feel about moving.
As the project progressed, notes, stories and photos were attached to a wall to build up a huge bank of positive images and stories.
The young people also wrote a song and filmed a music video on location at RAF Leeming to articulate the feelings of pride that the young people have. Parents and families actively took part in the music videos, bringing the generations together. The Youth Council set up a series of litter picks around the station which not only showed the young people in a positive light but also included other family members and was a real community effort led by young people.
20 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 21 Airplay movie
Purpose To capture the views of young people on the impact of the Airplay programme, a digital artist was sent to six stations to develop a ‘film in a day’. It was a creative way to capture the stories of how Airplay had helped young people, in their own words. Making it happen The digital artist visited the following RAF stations: Boulmer, Brize Norton, Coningsby, Lossiemouth, Odiham and Waddington. Each day started at 10am with a group discussion about life in the RAF family and the young people’s experiences of Airplay: what they liked and disliked, and what they would like to do in the future. This was used to get the young people thinking about what they would like to say on camera. The groups then went out to film images around the station, outside of the youth club or at the Airplay Multi-Use Games Area. The young people chose the shots and took the footage with the artist standing by to help them if necessary. In the afternoon, the young people chose the key points that they wanted to make on film and recorded it. The film was then edited, again by the young people with artist support. Finally the group composed the theme tune for their film and brought it all together for 4pm. Each station had their own individual film that each young person was given a copy of. Each of the individual films were then edited together to give a national view of Airplay in the words of the young people who use it. Outcome As well as an excellent film and six station films, the young people developed skills in film making, photography, music production and editing. This was a creative way of getting the views of young people while also delivering a fun and educational activity that starts and finishes in a day. The fact that each station film formed an RAF wide film also gave the young people a sense of purpose and that they are part of something bigger than just their Airplay project on their station.
22 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 23 Junior School Deployment Forum - RAF Odiham
Purpose RAF Odiham has a high level of personnel who are deployed on active duty. The aim of the deployment forum was to support children who have a parent or carer either on deployment or preparing for deployment. Making it happen The 4Children station youth worker, alongside staff from the local school, delivered a weekly 30 minute session that gave the children the opportunity to talk about their feelings in a safe and managed environment. The children discussed what deployment is and how deployment makes them feel. They used various methods including story writing, letter writing, creating comics, worry box discussions and talking tins – which allows children to record and playback voice messages. The 4Children station youth worker facilitated discussion on where the children’s loved ones may be based, such as Afghanistan. They looked at issues such as distance from home, the history of that country, its landscape, food and culture. The school’s Emotional Support Worker was also involved to give the children additional and ongoing support. Outcome This programme has allowed the issue of deployment to be discussed in a supported environment. As the programme continued the children began to feel comfortable with the group and with the youth workers. “Airplay is good because the people They were willing to talk openly about their worries and emotions and gained strength and support from these there are committed and it gives shared discussions. everyone there an opportunity to come together as a community and to make Activities aimed at providing children with ideas for how new friends.” to stay in touch with deployed family members have been well received – they particularly engaged with the talking Female aged 15 from RAF Odiham tins and story writing. Many of the group asked for extra support after the sessions finished each week.
24 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families “Now that Airplay is here a lot more people play out and make new friends and meet new people that you didn’t think you would.”
Female aged 15 from RAF Odiham
Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 25 A parent’s perspective on Airplay (Based on an interview with two parents from RAF Boulmer)
Airplay provision at RAF Boulmer is situated in a dedicated and adapted ‘youth house’ based on a housing estate accommodating both RAF families and the wider community. The provision has a strong focus on supporting the children and young people from RAF families. It is also open to young people from non-RAF families. As RAF Boulmer is in a remote location in Northumberland the families feel that Airplay is an extremely valuable resource.
What effect has the Airplay Youth Support programme had on the community? “I think it’s been positive. You don’t get children just hanging around the street because they don’t have anything to do. That was the biggest problem because the younger ones especially just didn’t have anything to do. Now you hear children talking and asking about Airplay, they’re asking, they’re interested and they look forward to it.”
“It’s a good thing as well because a lot of the young people got split up when they went to different middle schools so the youth club has become a meeting place, it’s when they get to see their friends again. It’s somewhere you know they are safe, and they get to try new things, gain new experiences, and they all get to see another side of things.” How does the Airplay Youth Support project support RAF young people? “The youth workers are absolutely fantastic. My husband was away in Afghanistan last year and I don’t think we would have got through it to be honest if it wasn’t for the project, they were so supportive. The children really looked forward to going. We had a fun packed summer just because there were so many activities.”
“I just couldn’t praise the staff enough. The children really benefited, without it I would have been tearing my hair out!” In an ideal world, how could we develop Airplay Youth Support? “It would be good to have something here every day, including the weekend. The kids really enjoy it and it is the highlight of the week and they just really look forward to it.”
“On the parents side of it, they know their children are safe when they are at the youth club – especially with the darker evenings. This is the first place where this kind of thing has been available, and it really does bring the community together so much more.”
26 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families A young person’s perspective on Airplay
“I think Airplay’s a great way to interact “It helps you to settle down if you move a lot and make new friends. Airplay also provides because a lot of people find it hard to make great new activities for us. For example, friends and find something to do.” when Dad was away last year and Mum couldn’t drive, Airplay provided some good Male aged 14 from RAF Coningsby activities that we could do to keep us busy. Airplay also gives us lots of things to do like “In Airplay, you can be yourself.” craft activities and money to get the stuff.” Female aged 15 from RAF Coningsby Male aged 16 from RAF Boulmer
“The voluntary work for Airplay Brize “I know it’s hard to make friends when you Norton that I have done has been really move to different places so it just helps to helpful for me. And by making me a lot let you know there are more people around more confident I can help younger kids, be Brize.” a role model for them, and I never used to be good at any of that before I started doing Male aged 15 from RAF Brize Norton the volunteering.”
Volunteer aged 16 from RAF Brize Norton
“I like coming to Airplay because it helps me to make new friends and interact with new people. I found out about Airplay through my friends, who said it was really good and they begged me to come. I think it is good because it doesn’t matter if you’re part of the RAF and they organise lots of trips during the holidays. Airplay also organises fun activities during youth club such as arts and crafts and table tennis.”
Female aged 14 from RAF Boulmer
Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 27 An RAF service personnel perspective
Airplay is important to all of us A life-saver for our family “You never know what the future holds and the support the “Katie joined Airplay Lossie when we moved up here last RAF Benevolent Fund offers is so wide. Most people will be year and it has been a life saver for our family. She has met able to benefit from their help at some point in their lives, new friends, had fantastic experiences and even had the for me it is currently through Airplay. privilege of performing a play for HRH The Duke of York. Through her involvement with Airplay I have watched my “My husband Rob is a Sergeant currently deployed to little girl grow in confidence, learn new skills and settle into Afghanistan and this is his second tour to Afghanistan. this new area really quickly. During Rob’s last deployment, Natalie started going to Airplay and we have never looked back since. Due to “Katie’s Dad was deployed over Christmas and she was my ongoing health issues Natalie is a young carer so, worried about this. Airplay Lossie gave her support and as a family, we are limited with what we can get her to, she knows she can talk to the staff and other children in a especially when Rob is working or deployed, so the similar position. support offered by Airplay is invaluable! “I have recently started volunteering with Airplay Lossie “Natalie gets to meet up with her friends once a week and as my way of giving something back to a project that has I don’t have to worry about getting her there and back. made a huge difference.” She also knows she can talk to the staff and other children and that they will understand what she is going through, Kelly Parfitt, a serving mum at RAF Lossiemouth without having to explain all the ins and outs.
“Once I realised just how important Airplay was to Natalie, it became equally important to us and I started to volunteer “The RAF Benevolent Fund has already helped my family. as a fundraiser.” Not directly, but each day in a tiny way. Each day, by visiting the Airplay park at the end of our road my three- Karen Cox, mum of three at RAF Lossiemouth year-old daughter benefits from the generosity, help and support that the Fund has offered.”
Sergeant Alex Ford
28 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families The people who deliver Airplay
Each RAF station has an Airplay team led by a 4Children station youth worker (SYW) supported by a small team of sessional youth support workers all employed by 4Children; in most locations SYW’s are also supported by volunteers. Each youth worker is tasked locally by the Station Community Development Officer (CDOs), whose role it is to support the community including dependants. “It’s a youth club and something to do The Airplay teams are also supported by 4Children Area instead of just sitting in the house playing Youth Work Coordinators, to ensure that their own professional development needs are met and that they are computer games and being bored – the delivering in line with the Airplay Youth Support objectives. activities are really fun. It also helps people settle in if they’ve moved from a It is widely accepted that before the RAFBF stepped different country or different town.” forward with Airplay Youth Support, CDOs and station communities struggled to maintain support for, and the Male aged 14 from RAF Coningsby local capacity to deliver, good quality activities for children and young people. Providing trained and committed youth workers has enabled CDOs to secure provision and further develop opportunities for young people at each station, “Coming to “The staff are very as well as turning their attention to training and developing Airplay has committed to Airplay play and youth work volunteers who help deliver during really changed as they are here the weekly sessions and during the holidays. my life because every week without Airplay staff are viewed as part of the local Community until I came to fail, everyone at Support Team and CDOs and SYWs have developed Airplay I didn’t Airplay is kind to strong and creative working relationships. Airplay has really have each other even if we benefited from having a committed and talented group many friends have disagreements.” of people involved in delivering the Airplay Youth Support to play with.” provision at each RAF station. The 4Children station Female aged 12 from RAF youth workers and sessional workers come from diverse Female aged 10 from Odiham backgrounds, bringing their own particular skill set to their RAF Lossiemouth projects. Their ability to build relationships with young people and an understanding of the issues that the young people face is invaluable to the RAF communities in which they work.
Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 29 Community Development Officers and 4Children youth workers describe why Airplay is so valued by the RAF community
“We are now offering a lot more in the way of educational programmes such as ASDAN awards. We now have fully qualified staff that are trained “Airplay provides bespoke support to deliver a good and effective youth to RAF young people which is much service.” appreciated by families and Service Community Development Officer personnel. It provides an immediate source of company and friendship as young people move up to the area and “The investment by the RAFBF has it provides a consistency of support allowed us to have more varied and whilst a parent is deployed which also interesting programmes, offering means personnel can be more effective educational trips away including in theatre. residentials. We have also been able to update equipment.” “Further, the manner in which Airplay is run and communicates with parents Community Development Officer reflects the busy operational ethos of the Unit creating comfort and familiarity.” “There is an emotional and psychological impact on the service Community Development Officer community. Seeing parents go away for a long time has a massive effect on a young person and on the parent remaining behind. ”
4Children station youth worker
30 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families Community Development Officers and 4Children youth workers describe why Airplay is so valued by the RAF community
“There were very limited resources available prior to Airplay’s involvement and so many projects “The development of Airplay has were run on a shoestring. Now we provided facilities, resources and have established a high quality staffing for work with children, young programme which runs throughout the people and families across the Royal year.” Air Force. The Multi-Use Games Areas, play parks and childcare centres Community Development Officer provide highly visible evidence of the significant investment made by the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund “Airplay has provided a strong and the impact of the day to day connection within the station and the work of youth workers on stations young people. There is a real sense of demonstrates both the necessity and community and support evident with value of effective youth work. Working young people supporting each other with 4Children provides an extra when parents are being posted or dimension to our work, in terms of relocated within the RAF.” staffing and expertise, and enables 4Children station youth worker Community Development Officers to further develop support for the RAF family.”
RAF Chief Community Development Advisor
Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 31 Making a difference
In less than three years, the RAFBF Airplay Youth Support Airplay is beginning to make a real difference on key issues programme has gone from strength to strength. Despite that affect young people from RAF families. Some of the only coming into existence in September 2010, it is now programme’s key achievements to date are: well established and highly valued by young people, parents and carers, the chain of command and the RAF uu Airplay has brought high quality youth work to young community. Airplay has become part of the fabric of the people – including those living in isolated rural areas. RAF family. The partnership between RAF Community It has given the young people involved opportunities Support and 4Children continually develops and is to develop new skills, built their confidence and effectively delivering on the programme’s core aims. given them a chance to have a real and meaningful Across Airplay there is a group of youth workers who say in how the programme is run. are proud to be associated with the programme and uu It has helped some young people to overcome this in turn ensures that they bring their very best to their one of the biggest challenges they say they face respective RAF stations. – moving home, sometimes regularly and at short notice. There is now a network of Airplay projects that enables 4Children station youth workers to notify each other when a family is moving to another station to ensure that there is a friendly face to greet children and young people when they first arrive. uu Airplay has provided individual and community wide support to children, young people and their families during times of deployment. Airplay has assisted in improving integration between RAF and local communities by running activities involving children and young people from all areas. uu Airplay has gained the trust of parents with the reassurance that their children have somewhere safe and engaging to go. uu The introduction of the 4Children’s quality improvement framework to ensure that Airplay projects are constantly striving to be the best that they can be. uu Airplay has contributed to the development of the Tri-Service Youth Forum and development of forums for Youth Participation at local level. uu Airplay has actively supported RAF Community Support and Community Development Officers in the implementation of the RAF Volunteer Support and Development Strategy, contributing to a clear strategy for the recruitment of volunteers at each location to enhance the sustainability of the programme. uu 4Children have supported RAF Community Support in delivering their Introduction to youth work training to volunteers and sessional Airplay staff. uu 4Children ensure that all youth workers are highly trained to a minimum set of standards. The comments from young people and parents and carers found throughout this report highlight the value that they put on Airplay, and the Community Development Officers have indicated how the investment has enabled them to further develop community provision on each of their stations.
32 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families However, there is still much more to come.
It is becoming increasingly common for young people and their families who have moved from one station to another to actively seek out the Airplay provision in their new community. This is as a result of previous positive experiences with Airplay, proactive youth workers and Community Development Officers supporting children and young people during the move.
The Airplay name and logo is becoming more recognised and importantly, trusted.
Opportunities for youth participation are being developed further, Airplay has made a positive contribution at both station level and at MOD level and will continue to do so. With the continued commitment of the RAF Benevolent Fund, 4Children and the RAF, Airplay will continue to see active participation by young people in a wide range of forums.
We will be developing further opportunities for young people to participate in accredited schemes.
Through the Aiming Higher Development Programme, we will be able to ensure that the projects do not become complacent and are constantly striving to develop to better meet the needs of their community. Each station has undertaken a self assessment of their Airplay provision through the Aiming Higher programme and will be working to further develop the quality of their settings.
With the Airplay programme still in its infancy, all partners are very excited about what can be achieved in the future.
Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families 33 Find out more
For more information on Airplay and Airplay Youth Support please visit www.rafbf.org/airplay www.raf.mod.uk/community www.4Children.org.uk
34 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families “As an MT driver my husband is based at RAF Lossiemouth but tends to be away at least one week a month and often gets very little notice of deployments and courses, which makes planning to do things as a family extremely hard.
“Being in the UK but so far away from family and the support they provide means that Airplay has become a real lifeline for me. The Airplay team understand what the kids and parents are going through, regardless of uniform, rank or age and they fill the gap left that family can’t always fill, through distance.”
Helen Bunker-Campbell from RAF Lossiemouth 36 Airplay Youth Support: Making a real difference to children and young people from RAF families