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Military Support Organisations

Our reason for mentioning the various Service support organisations in this section is that these organisations tend to be 'in tune' with the RAF – their staff speak our language and many of them have served in the military themselves; they understand the vagaries of Service life, the mobility issues, separation from loved ones, etc. Each has strength in particular areas and we list below the key agencies which you may wish to contact if you require financial or practical welfare support:

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund

Please note that bids for funds from serving personnel to the RAF Benevolent Fund need to be staffed through the RAF Personnel staff but this is done on a strict 'need-to-know' basis, is handled in strictest confidence and in no way reflects on the serving person’s career. It simply allows the RAF to assess the request and determine if there is anything more they can do to support the applicant.

The Royal Air Forces Association

Established to provide comradeship and welfare to serving and ex-serving RAF personnel and their families, RAFA is making an increasing contribution to the welfare of serving personnel via Contact Houses, Internet Cafes and parenting the new RAF Families Federation. The Association can provide respite care, sheltered housing and general comradeship and support to the RAF family and it has a network of welfare officers across the country and overseas to whom RAF personnel can turn. Most units also have a RAFA Liaison Officer (RAFALO) so if you want to find out more, you could always contact your local RAFALO.

The Soldiers Sailors, Airmen & Families Association - Forces Help

SSAFA (FH) is a well-established Association which provides welfare support to all 3 Services, both serving and veterans. Readers may well have heard of SSAFA’s latest campaign “Helping Heroes and Their Families” in which they aim to raise over £5m to provide appropriate accommodation for military patients and their families at Selly Oak and Headley Court. The RAF has a formal contract with SSAFA (FH) for the provision of professional Social Work Practioners and Personnel & Family Support Workers in support of RAF personnel and their families. Many units also have SSAFA Volunteers who provide practical support to anyone requiring friendship and advice, particularly those whose partners are away from home.

The Royal British Legion

Best known for their annual Poppy Appeal the Royal British Legion is the largest of the Service charities and supports veterans and serving personnel in all 3 Services. Recently engaged in lobbying the Government over the alleged breech of the 'Covenant' between the nation and its military, the Legion has a high profile and has significant funds at its disposal for the support of the military family.

The Church of St Clement Danes

St Clement Danes is the Central Church of the Royal Air Force. Located in the heart of London the impressive church sits on an island in the middle of the Strand. An atmosphere of peace and quiet prevails, quite set apart from the noise and traffic outside. To view the latest e-newsletter, Spring 10 Click here

The Other Families Federations

Both the Navy and the Army have Families Federations:

The Naval Families Federation - NFF

The Army Families Federation - AFF

 

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