ASHORE AFLOAT
His Majesty the King visits the Commando Training Centre
His Majesty the King as the Captain General Royal Marines visits the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Lympstone in Devon on Friday 15 November, to present the Kings Badge and Green Berets to the current King’s Squad on completion of their Commando Training.
The King was introducted to serving members of the Corps and Training Instructors at the Base, as well as Royal Marines families and Veterans. The will also had a chance to reminisce of his time at CTCRM with a tour of the facilities.
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
Patron His Majesty the King
Chairman Of Trustees
Captain Paddy Allen RN
Chief Executive Officer
Rev Dr Scott JS Shackleton
Editor Kathryn Hearn
Introduction from Aggie’s
CEO –Rev Dr Scott Shackleton
Hello ship mates
As I write it is the 80th anniversary of the death of a hero of mine, Dietrich Bonhoeffer – a German theologian, Pastor and someone who ended up giving his life for his involvement in the conspiracy to assassinate Hitler in July 1944 in the failed bomb plot.
Many of Pastor Bonhoeffer’s family and friends who were involved in the plot were killed, like Dietrich, by the Nazi authorities for their involvement. They died a month or so before the end of the war in Europe which was both tragic and confirms the fundamental wickedness of the Nazi regime.
One would imagine that there is no ‘good news’ in this sad tale and yet as with nature emerging from the cold of winter into the new life of Spring, Dietrich’s death and life story has become known across the world and his brilliant writings an inspiration to many facing questions of life, death, spirituality and justice for all.
Dietrich would write from prison a letter to his Godson Dietrich Bethge and in it he wrote some words about being a Christian in his time – he advised young Dietrich that we are called to pray and proclaim our faith through righteous action.
You will find in this edition many stories of our Pastoral Workers who silently pray for those they help alongside offering ‘righteous action’ through their many versions of pastoral care –by being alongside the naval family as we have been for 150 years ’behind the wire’, ‘in the families centres’, ‘out of hours’ and offering the ‘Storybook Waves Project’ to connect loved ones separated on deployments.
Happy Easter.
Cover Photo
Aggie’s Pastoral Worker Emma Barfoot on board
HMS Prince of Wales with Rev Mark Mander and he is pictured with our friend The Gruffalo.
His Majesty the King awards the King’s Badge to Marine Osian Stephens 20.
Aggie_Westons aggiewestons
Welcome On board
Kate Shine
Kate is thrilled to join Aggie’s as the new Office Coordinator and Executive Assistant to our CEO, Scott Shackleton. Before this role, Kate spent 15 years as a civil servant in the MOD at Navy Command Headquarters, where she met her Naval husband, Dave. Kate is Mum to two boys, and having experienced many deployments has a good understanding of military life. Kate brings a wealth of military knowledge and experience, which is invaluable when liaising with our community. Her family used Storybook Waves during her husband’s deployments, and she deeply admires the Aggie’s ethos. She is eager to contribute to the team, benefiting naval families.
Cathy Gilpin
Cathy joined Aggie’s in September 2024 as Finance Manager. Cathy is delighted to be working with such a talented team and admires the work that is done by Aggie’s wonderful Pastoral workers to support our service personnel and families.
Cathy is a Chartered Management accountant and has been working in finance for over 30 years. She is pleased to bring her skills and knowledge to support Scott and the Exec team to deliver Aggie’s new operational strategy and lead the finance team, Zoe and Niaomi, to deliver new initiatives for future funding and reporting.
Cathy is also a qualified counsellor and has her own private practice.
In her spare time, Kate enjoys gardening and baking with her children.
Jess Cook
Jess joined the Aggie’s Community Waves team in Portsmouth as a Family Pastoral worker in the February 2025. Jess was grateful to learn about Aggie’s when she moved to a new area with her young family. Whilst awaiting school places and finding her way with a new city, Jess attended several community groups run by Aggie’s Families Pastoral Workers. When Jess learned there was a vacancy, she jumped at the chance to give something back to the charity who had been her lifeline in the preceding months.
Jess is a music teacher by trade but has been drawn to providing music and movement sessions for families with under 5s in the community she lives. Being able to bring her skill set to Aggie’s and broaden her offerings with her passion for craft also, has been fantastic.
Jess continues to look forward to engaging with military families and be a positive, nurturing presence in the community with Aggie’s.
Lucy
McDonough
Lucy joined the Aggie’s Community Waves Portsmouth team as a Family Pastoral Worker in February. Lucy is a military wife and mum to three young children. Having been a beneficiary of Aggie’s for over 5 years with her children, Lucy was excited to join the team in February 2025. Lucy is a proactive member on the military patch where she lives, and is always ready to support military families, with a warm welcome and listening ear.
In her spare time, Cathy loves singing with the Rock choir, enjoys the outdoors walking the Southwest coastal path and playing golf. She loves to travel and goes to Switzerland as often as she can to visit her two children and grandchildren.
Zoe Minogue-Hughes
With over 10 years fundraising experience, Zoe is an experienced and successful Fundraising Consultant specialising in Grants, Trusts, and corporate partnerships.
As Corporate Fundraiser and Head of Experiences and Events for the charity Mosaic, Zoe developed and implemented a successful fundraising strategy for the organisation to support the strategic ambitions of the charity.
Looking to further develop her career, Zoe joined Aggie’s as Fundraising Manager in November 2024 and is both delighted and excited to be working for a charitable organisation that she shares a connection with and whose charitable aims resonate strongly with her.
Zoe’s father served as a Chief Technician for the RAF and worked around the world giving Zoe experience of military life and deployments as a child,
Zoe is married to Nick and is mother to Darcie, living on the Dorset coast, Zoe enjoys spending time at the beach, garden designing, watching her daughter play tennis, and, whenever possible, travelling to Cornwall to visit her sisters.
Around & About
RNAS Yeovilton
Words from Angela Harper
A Very Special Invitation
Angela Harper and WO Rudd of RNAS Yeovilton were nominated by the station Commander Duncan J Thomas to attend The Annual Carol Service at Westminster Abbey along with The Prince and Princess of Wales and other members of the Royal family. Spearheaded by The Princess, and supported by The Royal foundation, the service reflected upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives, The service shone a spotlight on individuals from all over the UK who have shown, love, kindness and empathy towards others in their communities.
Alongside the Order of Service, each guest received a special letter from The Princess of Wales, thanking them for all they have done to provide comfort and hope to those who need it the most.
Nodding to the importance of nature as a source of healing and comfort, the Abbey was adorned with sustainable, festive decorations, providing a beautiful Christmas backdrop for the service. A ‘Kindness tree’ situated outside the Abbey allowing Angela the opportunity to dedicate a decoration to her dad who has supported her throughout her life. Her Dad is a veteran cyclist and so she was delighted to meet Sir Chris Hoy on entering the Abbey.
HMS SULTAN CELEBRATES WORLD BOOK
DAY from Matthew Hibberd
HMS Sultan
HMS Sultan Toy Drive Helps Jacobs Well Care Centre Spread the Spirit of Christmas
New and nearly new toys, books, and puzzles were donated to Jacobs Well Care Centre after HMS Sultan held a Toy Drive to help support families in need this Christmas.
Staff and trainees from across the Establishment dug deep, to donate boxes full of gifts, and raised £1300 for Jacobs Well’s work in the local community.
Founded in 1992, Jacobs Well Care Centre initially focussed on helping combat poverty in Romania. Since 2010 the charity has refocussed its efforts to support the local community within the Gosport area and currently provides affordable furniture, a foodbank and a coat and school uniform exchange.
to make sure that those who can’t get out will also have what they need.”
“Our writing groups and workshops which are available to support anyone looking to write, right across genres.”
“If you’re interested then I think you have to have a go and join a writing group, make sure you don’t get despondent if things don’t go to plan, and surround yourself with likeminded people who will help put you on the right road for publishing.”
A special event was held at HMS Sultan, with services charities and a local author, to Celebrate World Book Day. Personnel from across the Base were given the opportunity to find out about Reading Force and Aggie Weston’s and the how they are using the power of books to supporting families, and to explore the many resources available within the Learning and Development Hub (LDH) at HMS Sultan. In addition, local author, Fiona Ballard, gave a talk on how to get into creative writing and the many routes into publishing.
Reading Force are a shared reading charity, supporting serving and ex-serving military families by providing tips for mums, dads, and carers with little ones on reading together.
Their Founder and Director Reverend Professor Alison Baverstock MBE said: “Reading force is an initiative which encourages families to read together to offset the ongoing impact of change. One thing you learn as a military spouse, as I was and am, is that life can be unpredictable and sometimes that can make families anxious. Reading Force is working to help keep families going and to keep normal conversations going, to help avoid mental separation.
“Reading a book together keeps everyone in touch, so we’ve produced resources for families including scrapbooks, a reading record, and individual diaries to keep a record of their own experiences, as all service family members, whether serving, partner or a child will have their own story to tell which has value.”
“Times of separation, through a deployment cannot be easy for families, but if you can find common ground through books it can help keep you talking with each other, which can be a very valuable thing.”
Fiona Ballard is an author with five books published to date and an active member of the Portsmouth Authors Collective.
Fiona said: “The Portsmouth Authors Collective was started to bring local authors together under one umbrella and runs market stalls, presentations and workshops, and provides support to writers with questions within publishing and editing.”
“I discovered I had a gift for writing through a global competition in New York where you were given just 48hrs to write and submit a piece based on an object, location. I found that as the rounds went on that I kept getting through and the judges thought that I had a voice.
The Learning and Development Hub at HMS Sultan, is packed full of resources to support families and individuals with reading, including its very own ‘Little Legs Library,’ where personnel within SULTAN can come with, or borrow books to read to their children.
Aggie Weston’s Pastoral Workers, based within HMS Sultan Chaplaincy are also available to give additional support and advice on reading within families. Their Storybook Waves initiative enables personnel serving in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary to record a bedtime story for their children to listen to whilst they are separated and support recording messages to send to wider family members at home.
Base Warrant Officer, WO1 Marty Wallace said: “World Book Day provides us with an excellent opportunity to highlight some of the fantastic work which service charities are doing to help support service families. Service life requires a lot of hard work and commitment, and the welfare of our families is an important part of our own wellbeing.
“Our thanks go to all our guests today and to the Learning and Development Hub for organising everything. Hopefully, it will bring families together through books and inspire any budding writers.”
Jacobs Well CEO, Stuart Pottinger said: “We’re working right up until Christmas Eve with the foodbank to make sure everyone has what they need and are planning to invite people in to get something for their children, distributing toys to those families already registered with us and to those referred to us by local schools, with any left-over being taken to the Women’s Refuge.
“We are so grateful to receive the donations from HMS Sultan. It’s so generous, people do tend to rally around at times of need and Christmas is a special time, especially for the kids, so these toys will be great, it’s fantastic. The
Workers, Rebecca Baird, and Iain Whitehead.
WO1 Castle said: “Christmas is a special time, but it can also be a challenging time for those who are struggling. The Toy Drive at Sultan has been well supported, we’ve been blown away by some of the donations. We are so pleased that we can help Jacobs Well spread a little bit of festive spirit and sparkle, especially to those families in need.”
HMS Nelson
The Gruffalo has been
Whilst Mr Gruffalo was keeping his rounds, I attended Pre deployment briefs where I was able to speak with those deploying as individual augmentees which allows me to capture people who are not going away as a formed unit. I speak to them about SBW, deployment connect, pastoral workers within the communities and that pastoral workers are available at establishments around the country, so wherever they are they have support. It is always very encouraging to hear how many people have heard of Aggie’s, made recordings, and have families who engage with the Community Waves teams.
Looking towards the waterfront and the ships we are in a quiet period as platforms continue with maintenance and planning for planned deployments. This allows Paul and I the chance to begin to engage with ship chaplains, the Executive branch and build on relationships. Paul and I are pleased to have fixtures in the diary for several days onboard various ships to conduct recordings, as well as families days and sail aways.
This is all in addition to being a constant presence in the Haven and being able to visit shoreside departments around the base.
The HMS Sultan Toy Drive was organised by HMS Sultan Base Warrant Officer, Warrant Officer 1 Daniel ‘Bouncy’ Castle, Establishment Admin Assistant, Jessica Leslie and Aggie’s Pastoral
HMS Drake
Words
from Fiona Lang
The Team at HMS Drake have been remarkably busy since the last edition of Ashore and Afloat. Here Fiona Lang, Pastoral Worker tells us
Christmas Carol Service
After much preparation, the base enjoyed a very well attended Carol Service where we loudly sang some of our favourite carols, getting us in the right mood for Christmas leave a week later.
Cook Your Own Scran
Of course, our other activities continued unabated, with Kate and Si continuing their efforts to teach a growing community of people to cook at their ‘Cook your own scran’ night. The only complaints we ever get from this event are the wonderful smells coming from the cooking which make everyone hungry! So far this term they have cooked delicious soups and created some amazing desserts.
Ladies Night
Kate has continued the wonderfully chilled evenings for females on base at ‘Ladies Night’ with a wellbeing evening, Chick Flick and chocolate, and a cheese and games night. This continues to be a wonderful opportunity to develop friendships, and the strong core group develops as more people arrive on the base.
Baking Bad
Fiona continues to torture people with the smell of baking on a Tuesday night with her ‘Baking Bad’ where they have made cookies, chocolate cake, meringues, and a variety of other delicious cakes which are all very well received on a Wednesday morning. Although this group has only been running since autumn it has attracted a core group of people who enjoy creating tasty cakes, some of which they’ll take away with them to enjoy themselves, and some they generously leave for people to enjoy the following day. In developing this group Fiona recognised that not everyone likes bacon (including her!) and so creating something those with a sweet tooth could enjoy on a Wednesday was important to her. There’s usually a queue on a Wednesday for the cakes, which, as you can imagine, don’t last very long!
Alpha
Fiona has continued to run faith courses, this term she has turned her attention to running the Alpha course once more, inviting anyone on the base to come and have a chilled-out chat about faith and religion. Our comfortable seats and big screen TV have once again proved useful as we show the Alpha videos in the main Haven lounge, enabling anyone who walks in to feel they can join in if they’d like to.
Movie Night
We continue to run a movie night at the end of the month where we spoil people with pizza and chocolate whilst they veg out on the sofa with a good movie. The last movie they watched was highly appropriate for this time of year: Flood. A film about it raining a bit too much!
Pop-ups
Si has continued to arrange for our famous bacon butties to go out to those who can’t make it to the chaplaincy on a Wednesday morning. So far in 2025 we’ve visited HMU Shackleton and 47 Cdo, where our presence went down a storm. We also visited Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH) for a pop up with a difference where we took scones with clotted cream and jam to enjoy an afternoon chatting with staff.
Look at Life course
We continue to support the chaplaincy through the ‘Look at Life’ course where we talk to potential chaplains about the work of Aggie’s and our history. This always goes down very well and it’s a pleasure to speak to people who are considering supporting Royal Navy personnel through the chaplaincy service. Fiona begins her talks by asking potential chaplains to picture what life would have been like in the mid nineteenth century, before explaining how we support beneficiaries today.
Bacon Wednesday
Our weekly bacon morning continues to be the highlight of people’s week. Since coming back after Christmas we’ve been busier than ever with beneficiaries telling us how much they missed their bacon over Christmas, a testament to an excellent cook! We are sure that Si cooking the bacon so that the scent wafts throughout the base must indicate to everyone that it’s that time of the week. We also continue to invite other charities on the last Wednesday of the month, giving our beneficiaries the opportunity to speak to someone in person from whom they may need support.
Storybook Waves
Si had some good take-up from the Valentines Storybook Waves opportunity, with a sizeable number of our beneficiaries coming in to record a poem for a loved one.
Bumps and Babies
Kate continues to support the Maternity unit and CPO Miriam (Mims) Charlton, joining them on their regular walk at the National Trust gardens. An opportunity for deep pastoral conversations, Kate has made some valuable connections through this time off base.
Update from HMS Raleigh
Words from Mark Jones
The Raleigh team received such positive feedback on the exploring Advent event and before Christmas we launched Refuel, a chance to spiritually refuel as well as enjoying tea and toast. This has been an opportunity to explore the Christian faith together as well as encourage those who have a faith that want to go deeper. We have been exploring what and who is God and the recruits at HMS Raleigh have been enjoying it immensely finding in themselves a mini community.
The chaplains have also enjoyed taking part in Refuel and we are finding it is fulfilling a good niche, and we are enjoying the spiritual pastoral conversations.
What was also started at the end of last term and now is well underway is doing a cultural awareness course for the Commonwealth recruits to help them thrive and integrate as they navigate both British and Naval culture simultaneously. I have started with Commonwealth recruits who are in holdover, and we have been exploring aspects of culture shock, language, relationships, and values. These sessions often reveal fantastic opportunities to signpost and to give them tools as they begin their naval careers and life in Britain. Since I have spent half a decade abroad in diverse cultures not to mention living all over the country, I use my experience as a gateway to be relatable.
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from the recruits. On top of Refuel and Cultural Awareness sessions, I also come in and check on the recruits at their messes each week. There are always new recruits to talk to, and a chance to remind them that Aggie’s is there for them, and there is someone to talk to outside the Naval structure if they would feel more comfortable. Each week is different, and I will have conversations in kitchens, messes, and corridors.
Often it can just be a quick catch up as I build relationships with the recruits, but sometimes it is clear something else someone just needs to talk. I had a great conversation the other week with an older recruit, who I just met, who was just grateful to talk to someone close to their age, and through that conversation it was clear they needed to talk to a chaplain. I signposted and they were grateful for a chat, to be heard and for someone who understood them.
Being in my late thirty’s has proved to be a boon for the work I do at Raleigh, and I am excited to see how my work with Aggie’s at HMS Raleigh develops.
Community Waves Plymouth
Letty Jones, Aggie’s Family Pastoral Worker
WOW WOW WOW! What a term. We have had a record number of attendees at Family Nights in January and February. Up to twelve families have been joining the community waves team each week; attendees have been a mix of returning families and new people coming along to enjoy the weekly theme. From Forest night, when we built an indoor den to Circus Night when we made clown faces, jumped a ring of fire, and walked a tightrope, children from newborn to nine years old have all been playing together and getting their parents to join in too. Great friendships are forming amongst both the parents and children, with families travelling from as far away as Ivybridge to join in.
Every event is a fantastic opportunity for families to support each other and experience some quality family time together. It is also a wonderful opportunity for the Community Waves team to chat to the parents about the stresses of service life.
Huge thanks to Brian Green joining the Community Waves Team from Bickleigh to help in the kitchen
Mark has been hosting Evening Events, once a month on a Friday, the pool, fuss ball and Chips night proved very successful, giving those with older kids the chance to get together and chat and a bit of peace for those that want to escape the children a night off!
The team did not just deliver in the evenings, the weekend and daytime events continued to provide entertainment for families with younger ones. Messy Church has always been a big hit. Held monthly in Plymstock this great collaboration with Plymstock Chapel is open to all families but the Navy families are the most committed members, enjoying the food, craft and games whilst taking a fun look at the Bible.
More fun for the little ones takes place every Monday at Wavy Navy, which is a playgroup for pre-schoolers that continues to be popular.
Mums and chilled out teen daughters enjoyed time together at a Pamper Night held at Crownhill Community Centre. The event was a terrific opportunity for Mums to relax and have quality time with their older daughters whilst being pampered with beauty treatments and soft drinks. In a complete contrast Dad & Me was an actionpacked fun afternoon held on a Saturday so Dads could take the kids out whilst Mum got some time alone! There was lots of fun games and laughs and everyone left tired!
The community based in Torpoint have been expressing interest in events in their local area, so the team have expanded their timetable to include Torpoint Family Afternoons every six weeks. Hosted by the local Jack & Jills Nursery the event hosts a mix of children all enjoying each other’s company whilst playing games together over a hot drink and biscuit.
The fun did not stop over half term, with the team bringing back the popular Navy Geek Club. Fun was had with board games, video games, Lego, and comics – although we think Mark enjoyed it the most whilst he hosted a small but happy group.
New Team member Libby spent some of her time this term visiting schools with the Change Games Workshops. A two-hour workshop using sport to explore the changes that service families experience.
RM Stonehouse
Letty Jones
Although the base has been quiet since I last wrote, I have still had plenty of visits from trainees and HQ staff. The fortnightly Aggie’s Bacon Baps regularly draws a crowd of eighty to one hundred people, giving me the opportunity to chat to all ranks in the queue. The Royal Navy contingent came to the rescue in January when we were flooded! Whilst they might not admit to coming along to the fortnightly coffee and cake that I host, groups of Marines manage to appear in the All-Ranks Lounge when cake is being served – there is never any left!
I am based in the All-Ranks Lounge, which is now an essential place for Marines to unwind and relax. When the base is quiet, I get around forty marines visiting daily for a sit down and a chat, but when the squadrons are onsite my visitor numbers double.
I get a lot of Walk-ins every day; Royal Marines asking for a quick bit of advice for themselves, or for details on support for their families, whatever the issue I am always ready to help with signposting, comfort, and support.
The Marines enjoy the Lounge so much that when the coffee machine broke, they literally put their heads in their hands. Something so simple as being able to have a decent cup of coffee truly makes a massive difference.
How would you like yours?
Aggie’s currently issues Ashore and Afloat in two formats; a hard copy that is posted out and a digital copy that can be emailed and can be found on our website at www.aggies.org.uk/Ashore-afloat
Our communications team would be very grateful if you could let them know how you would like to receive your copy of Ashore and Afloat,
To let us know your preference you can email comms@aggies.org.uk
RFA
Debbie Sutton
Before Christmas I was able to take advantage of several RFA ships being alongside along the south coast and made some pastoral visits. Whilst on board I was entertained with the usual generous hospitality and given an enormous cabin with an en-suite that even had a bath!
I have subsequently returned, visiting in time to offer the newly introduced iteration of Storybook Waves ‘Valentine’s special’ as a Valentine’s treat, which was taken up by a few romantic souls.
I’ve also done a round of all the Training Establishments and had the opportunity to introduce Aggie’s to new Apprentices and Cadets. That has included a couple of Passing Out Ceremonies, where it has been good to be able to meet family members and make them aware of how Aggie’s support the serving person and the family.
Over the last few months, I have been working on a big piece of work, which finally came into fruition. With the support and partnership of Chaplaincy I have produced a booklet aimed at encouraging seafarers to do all they can to develop and maintain their personal well-being. It touches on how to understand and have a good relationship with those from different backgrounds and generations, which in the RFA is particularly important as there is no upper age limit for retirement. Classes of Apprentices range in age from 18 – 60!
Community Waves Portsmouth
Oh, the places you’ll
go when you work for Aggie’s Community Waves.
The team have been to Stanstead House over the half term holidays and had fun on the train – going around twice, which was very exciting for our younger beneficiaries. Once the fun of the train was over the children headed over to the event area and we carved some pumpkins, which got very messy, but the children had too much fun for us to worry about the mess!
The outside fun continued with Forest School activities, making stick men on our walk to the forest school area and roasting marshmallows. The great thing about our half term activities is that the older children, who are normally at school, are able to join in with the fun we have throughout the term.
Whilst we love being outside enjoying the countryside and getting some fresh air, we also love getting crafty. The community waves craft sessions this last few months have included making some ‘woolly hats,’ cooking up some marshmallow snowmen, door handle calendars for our rooms and valentines day cards for those that are special to us.
When Fort Nelson invited us to solve a murder, we jumped at the chance to join in the mystery. The children had to interview suspects, analyse their stories and work out ‘Who dunn it’! it was so much fun and another new place for the team and beneficiaries to discover – thank you Fort Nelson for a fun day out.
Community Waves Portsmouth oversees the Pompey Military Kids initiative. The project brings together schools from across the Portsmouth area to discuss best practice and how they work with service children in their schools. We get to do lots of great things with the service children across the area and in March we were invited to Victoria Park in Portsmouth city centre to plant up a
The children dug, raked, broke up the compacted soil, weeded the planter, preparing it to be planted. We found worms in the soil, which is a good sign, woodlice, caterpillars, and lots of weeds were pulled out by their roots, or they grow again...
The children decorated driftwood to add to our planter.
Storybook Waves
Alexa Lowe, Storybook Waves Co-ordinator
Aggie’s Storybook Waves has had an absolutely brilliant start to the year. We have recorded, edited and sent out 200 recordings already alongside their free gift packs. We hope to have provided vital comfort, connection and a little bit of happiness to all those families who are separated from their serving person.
Historically, Storybook Waves has existed to allow the serving person to record a bedtime story for their children to listen to whilst they are away, whether that’s due to deployment, being a weekend warrior or just on a course. This is then sent out along with a pack containing the book, a medal and lots of other goodies. Whilst we will always continue to champion this, we also recognise the need to expand and diversify our offering to be wholly inclusive
This is why we’ve introduced ‘Storybook Waves Specials’. A series of campaigns designed to ensure that EVERY member of the family can benefit from hearing their loved ones voice in a format that is special to them.
So far, we have done both a Valentine’s and Mother’s Day campaign allowing serving personnel to record a poem or message which we then have edited and sent out with a specially curated gift box depending on the occasion. The feedback has been brilliant so far with 100% of those surveyed agreeing it was great to have the opportunity to record something for someone other than their children. We look forward to adding more Specials to this year’s line-up so watch this space!
Storybook Waves would not be possible without the support of both the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity and Greenwich Hospital, we are forever grateful for their backing.
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.