ASHORE AFLOAT
Introduction from Aggie’s CEO –Rev Dr Scott Shackleton
Hello ship mates
I hope this edition of Ashore and Afloat finds you all well and with fair winds in your sails!
This is my first introduction, to our quarterly publication, as the new CEO and it is my pleasure to provide an update on what we in Aggie’s are up to across the many and varied military establishments that God has sent us to.
We in Aggie’s continue to serve faithfully, those within the Naval family, inspired by Jesus’ example and influence. We do this through serving people where they are, with events that can sometimes be seen by the world as a ‘lowly calling’; bacon butties, families events, teas and coffees, providing a listening ear, recording stories and praying with and for those who request it. Often these acts of kindness, charity and love are done beyond the sight of the powerful and influential and yet we know that when acts of kindness are
shown to the ‘least of them’ we do likewise to Jesus and at times entertain angels unawares. The Kingdom of God belongs to those in the world regarded as the least worthy and yet the cross which was once such a symbol of shame became the sign of hope for the world, in this world and the next. It is good to remember from whom we as Aggie’s take our bearing, the Servant King, who through His humility and service transformed history.
In this edition you will hear the good news of such faithful service to God and His people within the Naval family, some call this a form of Impact statement, for us it is being faithful through love as Paul names it for the church in Galatia.
Blessings in His name,
Scott
Dame Agnes Weston’s Royal Charity for the Naval Service
Generally known as Aggie’s Company No. 11114651 • Charity No. 1176596
Contact Us
Aggie Weston’s Castaway House, 311 Twyford Avenue, Portsmouth PO2 8RN
T 079 7764 1876 • E office@aggies.org.uk www.aggies.org.uk
and The Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group. Assisted by Aggie’s pastoral worker Emma Boorn and personnel from HMS Collingwood.
The Rev Dr Scott JS Shackleton BA BD PhD is a Church of Scotland Minister whose theological training was at St Mary’s College, University of St Andrews. Following his Probationary Ministry in St Andrews he joined the Naval Service as a Chaplain Royal Navy where he served for twenty-seven years and during this time, he passed Commando training and attended ICSC (M) and ACSC (modular). In 2009 he enjoyed an 18-month period when he served as a parish minister in Dundee. He has served in many locations and operational environments over the last quarter century (Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and at sea) and during this time he wrote his PhD on a theology of chaplaincy specialising in WW1 chaplains and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
A keen ecumenist and multi faith dialogue supporter he served on the Kirk Ecumenical Relations Committee for three years. In 2016 he was promoted Principal Chaplain Royal Navy and, in that role, served as the Principal of the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre, Amport House, then Deputy Chaplain of the Fleet and as Head of the Naval Service Ethics Programme which became the Conduct and Culture Cell for the Naval Service. He served for three years as a Visiting Professor in Ethics for Bath Spa University alongside being a Research Fellow in Theology at the University of Exeter (with whom he is currently still partnering) whilst working on his book,
‘To be Jedi’. He is a published author in the NATO Leadership publication on ethical leadership and in ‘Theology in Scotland’.
Following retirement from the Royal Navy Scott become the Head of the Faith Action Programme for The Church of Scotland the purpose of which was to unite four large Councils of the church with their supporting staff and introduce as Secretary a programme of change within ministry, mission, public policies and several business entities. He then briefly served as the Lead Officer for Transforming Plymouth Together within the Church of England Church Urban Fund before landing a ‘perfect job’ (his words) as CEO of Aggie’s and enjoying a return to serving the Naval family. He is married to Gillian, and they have two sons (36 & 33 years) and a labrador puppy 7 months.
Families and friends gather at 815 Naval Air quadron to welcome their loved ones back home after a long successful deployment.
Cover Photo
On Tuesday 30 July, serving Royal Navy Able Rate Angel Collar (19) shaved off her long, blonde hair to raise money for Aggies, the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC),
Welcome
on board
PASTORAL WORKER
Karen Baldwin
Karen has joined the Aggie’s Community Waves team in Portsmouth as the Coordinator and family pastoral worker.
After completing her studies as a Primary School Teacher, Karen worked in the UK and South Africa as a teacher, before becoming an Army spouse 14 years ago. After having two children and various postings in the UK, The Netherlands, Germany and most recently Cyprus, Karen and her family returned to the UK and are now based at Thorney Island. This is when Karen first heard of Aggie’s, Storybook Waves to be exact and thought this was such a wonderful concept
Karen saw the advertisement for the Portsmouth Community Waves Team and applied for the position. Karen has the ‘lived experience’ of deployments and army life but has not experienced life with the Royal Navy and is learning a lot about Navy life and how it differs (slightly) from Army life.
“I enjoy working with Naval families, who face many of the same challenges as Army families, Aggie’s provide families a safe and supportive space, every week during term time there is an opportunity to gather with people who ‘get you’. Our holiday activities have been a pleasure to be a part of and supporting our service children through ‘Pompey Military Kids’ along with other organisations, as we serve the Naval community”
Jo Spurgeon
CO-ORDIN
Jo has joined the Aggie’s Community Waves team as a family pastoral worker.
Jo grew up in a military family and has lived in Portsmouth her whole life. Now a Naval wife and mother Jo understands the needs and demands of military life and brings a wealth of experience to the Community Waves team. After an extended maternity leave Jo began volunteering within the Community Waves team, she enjoyed the opportunity so much that when Aggie’s advertised for the role of Family Pastoral worker she applied and now has the privilege for helping and supporting families, in the same way that the team before helped her and her family.
In her spare time, Jo enjoys spending time outside exploring, walking and swimming.
Alexa Lowe
Alexa has a wealth of experience as both a military wife and a mummy to two children Alexa has experienced first-hand the difference Storybook Waves can make to a deployment and seen the joy and comfort it can bring to children whilst they are separated from their serving parent. Alexa’s background is in marketing and brand management and we’re really excited to have someone on board dedicated to growing the Storybook Waves project.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Aggie’s Pastoral Worker Iain Whitehead who works at HMS Sultan. Iain recently received the Robbie Robertson Field Gun Trophy. Here Rev James Percival RN, Chaplain HMS Sultan tells us what Iain did to deserve such an honour:
Our Aggies worker, Iain Whitehead, went beyond the call of duty to keep the HMS Sultan Field Gun teams sustained and refreshed at all hours of their training schedule outside the Haven at HMS Sultan. From early morning to noon and into the evening. I was told he was ‘head and shoulders’ above other candidates for this special trophy this year, and his commitment to the two crews ‘made such a difference.’
Well done, Iain, thank you for your terrific service.
Iain Whitehead receiving the Robbie Robertson Field Gun trophy for dedication to HMS Sultan Field Gun, from no.1 trainer, Lt Cdr Stu Moss
Iain Whitehead, receiving framed shirt from SUL Field Gun Officer, Lt Cdr Maddy Win
Hearty congratulations go to Ken Willoughby, Aggie’s volunteer at RNAS Culdrose.
Ken received The FAA honorary bottle for ‘going the extra mile.’ Nominated by Chaplain Raphael Duckett, Raphael tells us why…
Ken was nominated for the Honorary Officers Bottle Award because of his sterling commitment to helping the Fleet Air Arm personnel at Culdrose by his work at the Aggie’s Standeasy. Through his efforts with the rest of the team, people have the opportunity for a chat and obviously a tasty bap. This has grown the number of people who are coming and definitely his cheerful and can-do approach improves morale.
Thank you for all that you do for Aggie’s and the personnel at RNAS Culdrose Ken.
Around & About
RFA - by
Debbie Sutton
I have grabbed opportunities to get out and about during the long summer days and visit as many RFA personnel, ships and establishments as possible.
As well as maintaining regular visits to Training Establishments HMS Raleigh, HMS Collingwood, HMS Sultan and Worthy Down, I have also been on several ship visits.
I saw two of the Tide class ships in Portland, and two others in Birkenhead. The refits at Birkenhead were extensive and meant that the crews were unable to live aboard. But that meant got an amazing tour round including the engine spaces, which felt like being in a Cathedral, they were so big.
In the company of some of the MOD Civil Servants who work for RFA, I had a day at sea in the Solent on board RFA Tidesurge. Access was from a small boat and up a rope ladder, so that made an exciting start. We also had the chance to be taken for a ride in a seaboat. That was a cross between a bucking bronco and a roller coaster ride! Exhilarating but I think my white knuckles could be clearly seen.
Then in early September I had the real trip of a lifetime when I was invited to sail back to the UK from Gibraltar on board RFA Cardigan Bay. Mercifully it was a very calm trip. It was very interesting talking to the crew who had been on board while supporting the US troops who were building the pontoon in Gaza to facilitate humanitarian aid. Obviously, quite an experience and I witnessed a variety of reactions to the trip from RFA personnel.
On all these visits I have been warmly welcomed by the crew and shown unfailing hospitality. I feel that the Organisation is now aware that they have the support of an Aggie’s Pastoral Worker and appreciate what Aggie’s can offer personnel serving in the RFA and their families.
RM Condor – Seonid Cunningham
It is always busy at RM Condor in Arbroath, with a regular timetable of events Aggie’s Pastoral Worker Seonid keeps families entertained across the year, but in the summer the fun goes up a notch!
One of the busiest days of the year is Families Day! This year it was great to see so many families getting together and enjoying all the day had to offer- the day was even blessed with good weather!
The Aggie’s gazebo was visited by lots of well-known beneficiaries, and new faces keen to find out how Aggie’s can support the serving person and their families. We even spoke to a few veterans who were able to tell us how Aggie’s had impacted their time in the Corp, they were pleased to see the organisation going from strength to strength
The children loved building and customising their “cars”. At the end of the day their creations were transported across camp and ready for their owners to wind down in at the “Drive in Movie”. This was a lovely way to round off the day, chilling watching a film in your own car with a snack bag of popcorn and sweets.
HMS Nelson words from Aggie’s Pastoral Worker, Emma Barfoot
There has been lots of improvements happening within HMS Nelson’s “Haven”. After an MOD funded a repaint and new carpet, the Haven has become even more inviting to personnel serving in the dockyard and at HMS Nelson. The RNRMC helped fund a new replacement Pool Table which is very popular with our beneficiaries.
Along with their normal Pastoral Work, away from the Haven, Emma and Paul have supported the RM Band School Passing out Parade and held a Bacon Stand Easy morning at the Military School of Music – always a popular morning with a long queue!
Emma has visited several ships, conducting Storybook Waves Recordings for personnel who are separated from their families. The Chaplain onboard HMS Prince of Wales organised a full day of recordings, so Emma was kept very busy recording stories and chatting to personnel as they choose the book they wanted their family to hear. The day on HMS Iron Duke was very fruitful with several personnel recording stories and having a chat!
It is so encouraging to hear how well received the Storybook Waves project is. Paul and Emma have also supported several Health Fairs, including one onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Aggie’s Pastoral Worker Paul Jackson, and the HMS Nelson Chaplaincy team were among the many organisations helping to welcome the families of returning HMS Diamond on Saturday 6th July. The families had to travel from all over the UK and many arrived early to get the best spot on the Jetty. The wait was made more interesting by great British Summer weather, but it failed to dampen the excitement. Many of the Families chatted with Paul about how they felt to be there, to welcome the ship safely home, on what for many would be a very memorable experience.
CTC RM – From Jane Trethewy
The recruits at CTCRM spend a lot of their free time in the Chaplaincy, so we always have to come up with different ways to keep them engaged and coming back! The Combat art programme has proven to be very popular with recruits creating some wonderful art.
In the lead up to Remembrance Day 2024, the recruits decided to create art that everyone on base could be part of. Everyone was encouraged to take a poppy, write on it and place it on the artwork they created
Community Waves
Portsmouth
Thursday 25 July
Despite the rain, 5 families kicked off our Summer programme with a Teddy Bears Picnic at the Phoenix Centre. We played our bean bag game indoors, guessed the name of the ‘Teddy Bear’ and guessed how many sweets were in the jar, counted the bears ‘hiding’ in plain sight around the centre, we enjoyed a fabulous picnic and ended the day with the bears in the parachute!
Monday 29 July 2024
11 families gathered at the Crossley Centre in glorious sunshine for our Under the Sea BBQ. There were plenty of outdoor and indoor activities to keep the younger ones occupied, we freed the sea creatures from the ice by hacking it away, beach balls were kicked ‘through pool arches’ on the lawn (larger version of croquet), squirty bottles were sprayed to get your cup to the other side of the tree first, lots of fishing took place in the paddling pool, pirate and mermaid wands were crafted and then best off all, hamburgers and hotdogs were eaten!! A fun day for all involved.
Wednesday 31 July 2024
5 families signed up for our first crabbing competition at Portchester Castle. The tide was meant to be in…we checked the tide times. Not to fear, the families persisted and many tiny crabs (hundreds) were caught, a sizable crab won the competition at an impressive 7cm across its body (excluding legs), squeals could be heard as crabs scurried across the mud flaps and welly boots were sucked off feet. All in all, a brilliant day, filled with laughter and shrieks, no crabs were harmed and all were released back to the ocean.
Thursday 1 August 2024
Under the Sea BBQ number 2 took place at the Phoenix Community Centre, the weather was good, the food was great (Thank you Josh and Naomi). There was a mix of crafting activities and outdoor pursuits to get involved in, as 6 families enjoyed being cooked for on a sunny summer’s day.
Monday 5th August 2024
Hillhead played host to our second Teddy Bears Picnic, the blustery weather didn’t keep the families away and 7 families and their bears spent a lovely few hours by the sea. Rocks were painted, driftwood creatures were crafted, ball games were played and the nearby park was played in. Fabulous picnics were enjoyed before all the hiding teddy bears were spotted.
Monday 12 August 2024
Crafting and Construction took place at the Crossley Centre, where 5 families enjoyed a relaxing afternoon crafting and chatting to friends, wonderful creations were made, popsicle frames adorned with tiny shells, magical butterfly wings, watery underwater scenes, impressive hammerhead sharks and air-dried clay pendants were produced. A very calm and creative time was had by all.
Tuesday 13 August 2024
Our final activity of the summer was Crabbing Competition, round 2, also at Portchester Castle, this time with the tide out, to see what the mud flaps had to reveal to us. 8 families really gave it their all and everyone had the most wonderful time, squelching around in the mud. Not a single rock was left unturned, no one escaped without getting thick black mud on themselves, some were covered from head to toe. Again shrieks and squeals were heard as families rose to the challenge, trying to capture the biggest crab… everyone gave a tremendous effort and bucket loads of crabs were caught and then subsequently released. We all walked away feeling happy and satisfied that we had done a great job at crabbing, we were all also starving, after all the excitement!!! The largest crab, measured in at about 12 cm, they are difficult to measure as they move around a lot, and want to pinch you all the time. Well done to all the fearless crabbers, what a brilliant day!
HMS Drake From Kate Thorn
To say we have had a busy few months looking after personnel at HMS Drake, is an understatement!
Ladies Nights continues to be a great opportunity for deep and lasting friendships and support between beneficiaries. We have a core group of people attending and others who come along as and when they are in Drake and ashore. There is always a lot of laughter and a great sense of fun and “breathing out” in a place of high stress and complicated schedules. Our beach BBQ and ice cream making have been highlights this year with more offsite activities planned to help people discover more in their local area too.
Cook Your Scran Night is a mix of fun and company; cooking and eating together and learning new skills along with hints and tips to make cooking easier and more wallet friendly. Recently one of our highlights has been slowcooked pork belly with honey and soy, if that made you feel hungry, the recipes can be found on the Aggie’s website! The equipment, provided by the RNRMC, has not only assisted the sessions themselves but have allowed people to use the equipment to improve their nutrition during the week when people can book out the kits to make home-cooked scran.
Others have been busy baking for people’s birthdays and occasions such as the Guiness Cake cooked by Leesha as a thank you to her team. These
interactions nearly always include chance for a pastoral conversation with people.
During the summer our Bacon Standeasy takes a pause to become a ‘weekly wets and treat’ event with homecooked cakes and cookies cooked by Aggie’s workers. The interest in the event and conversations from it has led to Fiona starting a biweekly “Baking Bad?” baking session. More about how that has gone in the Spring edition of A and A.
Our No More money movie night, paused over the summer but returned at the start of September, earlier in the year beneficiaries enjoyed a range of movies with delicious food prepared by Fiona. Part of Movie Night’s appeal is company, when individuals may want to chill with others but not have the pressure of chatting too much after a long day. Fiona is always on hand to listen (whilst busily cooking pizzas!) and chat if needed. This event provides yet another opportunity for personnel to join us, so we are meeting a range of needs, interests and dynamics wherever possible.
Faith and Fellowship Fiona’s faith-based courses and sessions have now become a regular, slightly shorter, weekly slot on a Tuesday lunchtime that gives opportunity for any member of the base to attend during their break. A few regular attendees are really benefiting from this time together and we pray that this will continue to grow and be a regular slot in people’s diaries.
CTC visited- In March our colleagues from CTCRM and their Chaplaincy team visited and joined us for a wets and stickies Standeasy for HMS Lancaster. A very busy event that started a day of tours on HMS Somerset, 47CDO Landing craft and lunch in the wardroom where we bumped into the Drake Command team. It was a great day spending time together and sharing stories.
Armed Forces Day saw the Plymouth teams unite throughout the day in sharing Aggie’s info with both beneficiaries and their families, and non-beneficiaries – some of whom were veterans who remember using the Sailors’ Rests in the seventies and eighties, and who spoke with fond memories of their time there. Armed Forces Day Plymouth is always a fantastic opportunity for people to show their respect for those who serve in the armed forces, and as the Plymouth team, we made contact with over three hundred people on the day.
Storybook Waves in Drake continues to be a popular service, especially to those who are about to deploy. We use our tried and tested pop-up bacon stand-easy events and ship families’ days as an opportunity to promote the SBW programme and get people signed up to do a recording for their loved ones prior to their deployment. These also function as a good opportunity for us as pastoral workers, to connect with service personnel on a one-to-one basis and has led to some service personnel seeking further help later on and in different locations.
HMS Drake and the Naval Heritage Centre
Naval Heritage goes way back...
Devonport Naval Heritage Centre reopened its doors in March 2024, this time outside of the Naval Base, a stone’s throw from Dame Aggie’s blue history, plaque near the site of the original Royal Sailors Rest.
Outgoing Captain of the Base Dave Preece cut the ribbon and now Serving People, veterans and members of the public can pop in to enjoy its huge wealth of exhibits. Previous CEO Chris New and PW Kate Thorn went to meet Peter who oversees an army of volunteers that curate exhibits and give tours. From stories such as that of our own Aggie Weston to exquisitely built models of ships from sail to modern day, The Naval Heritage Centre is an absolute gold mine of moving tales about those who have served, the conditions on alongside and on board. It is a plane to swell hearts with pride at the ever-changing fleet and Devonport Dockyard’s role.
The Naval Heritage Centre is a really great way to get a flavour of life for the Bluejackets in the time of Aggie’s blossoming project.
Kate Thorn said, “This place is absolutely amazing. There is so much to see and connect with. Everywhere you look as a PW you know someone who has told a tale of one of these exhibits and it really brings this alive. So many of our current personnel have family ties to navy days gone by and even those without would feel such a sense of gratitude here for what they do, what they sacrifice and the threads of history they take forward for our country. A must see for those visiting the area.”
RNAS YEOVILTON from Joanne Triffitt, Aggie’s Pastoral Worker
It often starts with a conversation and the way in which we began our support of the Commonwealth community at RNAS Yeovilton started exactly that way; during a conversation at Aggie’s Butty morning.
During the conversation the team identified there was a large unmet need within the commonwealth, Nepalese and Fujian community on base. Personnel had Feelings of isolation, which were compounded by their lack of access to transport and their family being far away. The Aggie’s team started by calling an informal meeting with personnel from that community and it was decided that there would be a monthly meeting in Chaplaincy to provide peer support, start building community and provide support around current needs. The Aggie’s team, along with members of the commonwealth community, held a fundraising event for those effected by Hurricane Beryl. The team established a committee and planned social events, which has help to build connections and link the commonwealth community into the wider Yeovilton community.
Pastoral Workers Angela and Jo are running a Mental Fitness Course with Phase 2b trainees. This is a 7-week pilot course which is an ideal opportunity for them to get to know the team in Chaplaincy. The focus of the course is wellbeing and what it means for the individual to keep themselves mentally fit. The course helps them to gain an understanding of their own emotional self and helps them develop strategies to maintain mental fitness. The pastoral workers have designed the sessions around a game/conversation starter…Jenga is proving to be very popular and links very nicely with our session on resilience.
And finally… The Aggie’s team have been joining up with The Balsam Centre in Wincanton to work with military families. They piloted some family cooking sessions and then visited the allotment to dig potatoes and spot food that the children recognised. The sessions are also encouraging and supporting peer support, especially in families where a loved one is deployed.
Gospel Cards
Christmas Cards that assist our ministry Once again this year we shall benefit from the sale of Christmas cards produced by Gospel Cards, etc.10% of their Christmas card sales will be given to 18 Christian missions including Aggie Westons.
To date, we and other societies have received a total of nearly £400,000 in this way.)The cards are produced to a very high standard and are perfect for sending to Christian and non-Christian family and friends .Full details are on their website www.GospelCardsEtc.com or you can ask them for a catalogue -Tel. 01656 647551(Monday to Thursday, 10:00am to 1:00pm),or write to GOSPEL CARDS15 Brackla Street Centre, Bridgend, CF31 1DD.
HMS Collingwood –From Emma Boorn
The coffee bar at HMS Collingwood is a hub of activity throughout the week as classes come through the chaplaincy doors. Aggie’s Pastoral Workers get to chat to the sailors and support those that are dealing with the curve balls that life has thrown at them, from missing home, people passing away, failing exams, to being back classed. All of these events have a physical and emotional effect on the sailors and both Emma and Pete are well placed to provided support and encouragement and have done over the years we have worked together as a team here at HMS Collingwood.
The activity in the Coffee Bar has proven very beneficial to two charity events that were held there in the early part of the term:
Brave the shave
Angel ,19, who is currently based at HMS Collingwood, wanted to raise funds for several charities by having her hair shaved.
Aggie’s Pastoral Worker Emma Boorn helped Angel organise the event, which took place in the Coffee bar on 30th July. The Aggie’s team ran an Aggie’s butty morning alongside Angel’s ‘Brave the shave’, which saw over 150 personnel from all ranks descend on the coffee bar to enjoy a butty, watch the Big Shave and donate.
To date Angel has raised over £1300 for her nominated charities and donated her hair to the Princess Trust.
It’s great to bring people together, serve tea, coffee and a buttie and highlight the work we do as pastoral workers to those attending.
Royal Marine Band Cake sale “26 for Soph”
Another great fundraiser took place at the Coffee bar in September. Members of the RM band held a cake sale in aid of ’26 for Soph’…….
The event was facilitated by Aggie’s Pastoral Workers Emma and Pete and the band raised over £450, with over 120 coming along to enjoy cake and coffee. The event was cathartic for members of the band, who over past few months have been wrestling with their feelings around the news that one of the trainees has had such a tragic diagnosis.
Emma and Pete continue to pastorally support personnel from the RM band as they deal with news, of someone so young and fit….
As well as being able to interact with serving personnel in the Coffee Bar, the Aggie’s team had the pleasure of meeting personnel, along with their families at the Collingwood open day. The open day is an opportunity for the establishment, and those within, to show the public what the establishment is all about, along with the traditional Field Gun Event.
On the Open Day, Aggie’s Pastoral Worker, Emma said.
It is always a pleasure to be at the open day, we get to meet those that we serve along with their families, at this summer’s open day we met the parents of one of our regulars at Fellowship lunch. I also got to meet the family of our of our trainees from Sunderland. Being far from home he was lonely, so I encouraged him to join the volunteer band, he played at the open day in front of his parents and 3000 visitors, making his parents very proud.
RNAS Culdrose from Georgie Phillips
The Aggie’s team at RNAS Culdrose have hosted so many fantastic events over the last few months, but the ones that have stood out for me are the craft evenings in the Haven.
For a very long time events have been attended by either families and partners, or serving personnel, we have not been able to get a mix of beneficiaries, but at the last few craft evenings the team managed just that and it was great to see. The evenings have included candle painting, vase painting and pottery painting.
For the vase painting, Georgie asked everyone to being a bunch of flowers so that gorgeous bouquets could be created and then carried home in their new, freshly painted vase.
The atmosphere during the candle painting event was wonderful, participants used small tealights to paint larger candles – the effect was stunning and all the lit candles added to the atmosphere of the evening. The final craft event of the ‘season’ was pottery painting which was a fun evening. The focus of the craft evenings has really helped beneficiaries to relax and focus on something other than the day to day struggles they might be enduring. The relaxed atmosphere of the evening enables people to open up and have conversations without any pressure.
Whilst the craft events have provided support during the evening our summer events programme ensured that families were supported across the summer holidays, with group events at places such as Roskillys, where we got to feed the animals and eat Cornish ice cream.
Georgie has also been attending RN FPS coffee mornings in the families centre and continues to support personnel across the base with Aggie’s Butties in the Haven across the squadrons and onboard ship, always abled assisted by Aggie’s volunteer Ken.
Aggie’s continues to be blessed by the continued financial support of the organisations that provide our grants and the generosity of our donors and supporters who have faithfully given us both money and prayer in support of our work
Thank you!
Everest Trust Privy Purse Souloudi Foundation
Aggie’s is a Christian charity that has been serving the Royal Navy Since 1876. It bears the name of its founder, Dame Agnes Weston, who set up the charity to provide support and comfort to the Royal Navy through the provision of Royal Sailor’s Rests in Dockyard areas. Although the Rests have now gone, our Pastoral Workers continue to abide by the principal established by Aggie, namely, to demonstrate the Love of God to all members of the Royal Navy (which includes the Royal Marines and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary) and their families by providing help and pastoral support without judgement or prejudice.
“For the Glory of God and the Good of the Service” If you would like to learn, more about the work of Aggie Weston’s and how you can support us, either by donating, volunteering, or remembering us in your will please visit our website at Aggie’s.org.uk or contact our central office on 079 7764 1876.