NEW YOUTH SUPPORT FOR RAF FAMILIES TAKES FLIGHT
The RAF Benevolent Fund, the Royal Air Force’s leading welfare charity, launched a £4 million nationwide youth project in partnership with national charity 4Children on Wednesday 18th August at RAF Wittering. The project, which is the first of its kind for young people in the Service community, will offer structured activities on all major RAF bases across the UK over the next three years.
The partnership has been created in consultation with the RAF after it found that keeping young people safely occupied on stations was families’ second biggest concern after housing. Activities have been tailored to each Service community and youngsters will be able to take part in sports, crafts, circus skills, dance workshops and drop-in activities after school, supported by 4Children’s youth workers.
Activities for young people were previously provided by the RAF but operational pressures have meant that staff are no longer available to run them.
SGT Steve Phillips, currently serving at RAF Wittering said: “I think this is a really great project . When you’re busy at work or deployed abroad it’s great to know your kids are being taken care of with safe, fun, organised activities.”
Paul Hughesdon, Director of Welfare and Policy for the RAF Benevolent Fund said: “The RAF Benevolent Fund is delighted to be launching this new partnership with 4Children at a time when serving personnel and their families are faced with increasing pressures. As the RAF’s leading welfare charity, part of our role is to enhance the morale and well-being of RAF serving personnel. This youth worker programme will help reduce the stress on serving families, particularly those on operational deployments who worry about the welfare of their children whilst they are away. RAF families are very often based in isolated and rural locations where there are limited opportunities to take part in organised activities so we are confident that a safe, stimulating programme of activities for young people on stations will make a significant difference to the lives of serving families across the UK.”
Charles Ellis, Deputy Chief Executive of 4Children said: “It is a huge honour and privilege to work with the RAF Benevolent Fund to support the RAF family. Families of RAF personnel face particular challenges which make it more important than ever that young people have positive support to realise their potential. 4Children is proud to play this crucial role in ensuring that young people within RAF families receive the first class services and support that their family’s dedication and sacrifice rightly deserves.”
Air Vice-Marshal Mike Lloyd, Air Member for Personnel said: “RAF Community Development Officers work to access or provide programmes for the whole service community but the pace of life and operational tempo inevitably impacts on the number of volunteers available to support activities with young people in the evening and at weekends. This partnership between the RAFBF and 4Children will provide us with the Youth and Play Workers we need to offer a wide range of challenging and enjoyable recreational and social opportunities to children and young people, and additional support to their families.”
The comprehensive programme will be launched across the UK in September with summer activities taking place on bases from August. The youth programmes and facilities will also be made accessible to children from local communities where possible.
The partnership is part of Airplay - the RAF Benevolent Fund’s wider youth support programme for children of RAF families. The charity has committed to invest £10 million over 5 years to provide recreational services and facilities for young people across all major UK bases. As well as providing qualified youth workers through 4Children, the RAFBF is funding the construction of Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs) and the regeneration of existing play parks across RAF stations nationwide.
To find out more, visit www.rafbf.org. and www.4Children.org.uk
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