Envoy - Spring 2026 by Lance Media Group

Visit: helpforheroes.org.uk/familysupport

Welcome from the Editor

With the brighter days finally edging in, this issue feels perfectly timed to explore some of the themes that matter most to our families as they navigate the changing seasons of Service life.

Whether you are settling into a new posting, juggling family commitments, or managing the demands of RAF life, we hope you’ll find something here that speaks directly to you.

This edition is rich in lived experience and practical support. We take a closer look at the relationship and parenting resources available to families, areas that often sit quietly in the background until they’re suddenly needed. Our aim is simple: to make sure that when those moments arise, you know exactly where to turn.

We’re also delighted to bring you a feature from Josh, whose passion for exploring Europe has shaped his time serving in Germany. His reflections offer a refreshing view of life overseas and the opportunities that can come with it, both professionally and personally.

Housing remains a recurring topic for many of you, and rightly so. In this issue, we walk through the complaints process. Not to dwell on the problems, but to help ensure your experiences are acted upon swiftly and constructively. Alongside this, we’ve gathered the latest updates on schools and childcare to help families prepare for the months ahead.

Over the winter, your voices have made a tangible impact. The experiences you’ve shared with us have fed directly into high-level policy conversations, shaping decisions that affect RAF life across the board. Our team helped secure a major policy shift that will extend funded early-years childcare support to Service families across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from 2026 – a reminder that when you speak with us, it genuinely can lead to making a difference.

Thank you, as ever, for reading.

tim.unwin@raf-ff.org.uk

Telephone: 01780 781650

email: enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk

Website: raf-ff.org.uk

Envoy – The magazine of the RAF Families Federation, published 4 times a year.

To have your FREE copy delivered quarterly to your home, Simply subscribe online: raf-ff.org.uk/publications/envoy-magazine

Director: Andrea Devlin MBE

Policy and Evidence Manager: Vanessa Plumley MBE

Office Manager: Ruth McClelland

The RAF Families Federation is an independent organisation parented by the RAF Association

The RAF Families Federation is supported by the RAF Benevolent Fund

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Directo r A

As we step into spring, I find myself reflecting on my first six months as Director of the RAF Families Federation. It’s been a whirlwind of listening, learning, and action – and I’m more energised than ever about what lies ahead. Our mission remains clear: to be your independent voice, championing the needs and amplifying the voices of all RAF personnel, Regular and Reserve, and their families, whatever their circumstances.

This year brings many opportunities for us to help improve the lived experience of Service life. We’re determined to ensure that any investment translates into real, positive change for you – whether that’s in housing, healthcare, education, or the broader support network that underpins your wellbeing.

A key focus for us now is strategic engagement. We want to deepen our connection not only with families but with every serving person who leads and manages others. The RAFFF is part of your managerial toolkit – a resource to help you support your people effectively. If you haven’t yet tapped into what we offer, now is the time. We will still be undertaking station visits including Families Days and Health & Wellbeing Days, and any other ways we can help add value to

the lives of personnel and their families. Collaboration is another priority. We’re working to strengthen relationships with stakeholders across the board – from accommodation providers like Pinnacle, to the NHS, local education authorities, councils, and our brilliant Armed Forces Champions. These partnerships are vital for tackling issues that matter most to you, and for driving policy changes that reflect modern realities rather than outdated ideals.

Funded by the RAF, we exist solely for you – to fight for fairness, address inequity, and push for improvements that make Service life better. Whether you’re at home or overseas, full-time or reserve, with family or without, we are here for you. And we’re fired up to make a difference.

Thank you for trusting us with your voice. Together, we can shape a future where every member of the RAF community feels valued and supported.

Andrea Devlin MBE Director, RAF Families

Telephone us on: 01780 781650

For general queries, magazine article information: enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk

FOREWORD

By | Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth KCB, OBE, DFC, ADC

Iwas extremely grateful to be asked to provide the foreword for this edition of Envoy – and I am just as grateful to anyone across our RAF Family for taking the time to read it, and for what you do for us all, every day.

I know how much you all matter. Your commitment and support really counts to every single member of the Service. Your support – often behind the scenes – changes the game. And so, I’d like to begin with a simple but sincere thank you, not only to those who serve in uniform but for the spouses, partners, children and extended families and friends. You are the ones who get us through the tough times. The relocation, longer periods of separations, birthdays and milestones missed, career sacrifices and the work that goes into keeping all the plates spinning when your loved one is away from home. Having had a particularly operationally focussed career, I know from personal experience the difficulties you face and the resilience that it takes to keep everything moving forward smoothly. Your help and steadfast support is very much appreciated, and forms the bedrock on which our service personnel are enabled to do their duty. When preparing to take up my role as CAS I did a lot of

thinking about what my priorities would be, especially given the volatile world we currently find ourselves in. ‘People’ is what I wrote down first – and many of you will have heard me talk about this priority during my engagement across the Service. I embrace our core values of Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence and I base my own approach on listening, partnership and action – especially on the issues which mean the most to our people and their families. We will

never be able to do everything we would like for our people, but we must always do our best for them – and remember that without them, the RAF is nothing.

I am acutely aware of the pressures that many families are facing. The pace of operations remains high. The impact of the cost of living is felt across our communities. Challenges with Service Family Accommodation and the strains of separation during deployments or exercises place very real burdens on family life. These are not abstract problems; they affect daily routines, wellbeing and mental wellbeing. This is why the RAF Families Federation is so incredibly valuable. Together with the Personal Support and Social Work

Service, HIVEs, the RAF Benevolent Fund, and the welfare team on your unit, they offer a voice and support. I would ask you to be persistent in using them and the chain of command as a means of voicing your concerns, and as a way of helping improve the Service.

Thank you again for what you do. What you do is extremely important – and valued. The RAF is the Nation’s First Responder, and we must always be ready when called upon to fly, fight and win. That is a team effort, and I am honoured to serve alongside all of you – no matter what part you play in our brilliant organisation.

stay grounded

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RAF Charity Charter 2026–2030

At its heart, the Charity Charter exists to enhance wellbeing— physical, mental, and emotional. Its vision is simple yet powerful: to improve the lived experience of today’s serving community.

AI Skills Course Exclusively for Military Partners

BFBS launched its AI Skills For Military Partners programme, an innovative course designed to help military partners build practical digital skills and expand career opportunities.

Updated regulations for expenses and allowances under JSP 752 (Jan ’26)

The Tri-Service Regulations for Expenses and Allowances (JSP 752) has been updated. JSP 752 is the policy document that provides guidance to determine entitlement to expenses and allowances.

RAF Benevolent Fund expands Holiday Provision pilot for RAF families

The RAF Benevolent Fund has confirmed that its new Holiday Provision will be extended and expanded across more RAF units in 2026 after receiving positive feedback from stations and families.

Search for the headlines on our website

MoD pension compliance failure leaves “Early Leavers” out of pocket

The latest AFPS Annual Report for 2024-25 shows, following a member complaint, that the pension scheme has not been meeting its obligations to Early Leavers.

11 new projects to help service families feel at home faster

New funding will help families settle faster after a posting – with welcome support, connections, & tools for children. Moving house is hard. Doing it because of service life requirements can be harder still.

Important Changes to Immigration & Travel Requirements

The Ministry of Defence announced several important updates to immigration, exemption and travel processes that came into effect from 25 February 2026.

Tri-service accommodation regulations (TSARs) (JSP 464) – February 2026

JSP 464 is the definitive policy for the provision of service family accommodation, single living accommodation and the substitute equivalents.

What happens when you report an issue to the RAF Families Federation

With permission, facts are captured in our secure database.

We represent youinfluencing Parliamentary Committees, Government Departments, Councils and private companies. Your evidence leads to long term, positive change.

* Wraparound Childcare

* Long Term Relationship eligibility

* Military Coworking Network hubs

* NHS single point of contact

* MOD Virtual School

Our specialists support you, where possible resolving the issue.

Anonymised issues from our database, surveys, Station visits and our online Community Forums form our evidence base.

1 2 444 444 444 444 444 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 5

So please make us aware of the problems you are facing – we may be able to resolve your issue and you will be providing vital evidence for us to influence decision makers.

raf-ff.org.uk/contact

RESILIENCE HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY CITED QUALITIES OF MILITARY PARTNERS. IT IS USUALLY MEANT AS PRAISE — SHORTHAND FOR ADAPTABILITY, STAMINA AND THE ABILITY TO ABSORB DISRUPTION WITHOUT COMPLAINT. OVERSEAS IN PARTICULAR, RESILIENCE IS WORN ALMOST AS AN UNOFFICIAL REQUIREMENT: MOVING COUNTRY, REBUILDING ROUTINES, NAVIGATING UNFAMILIAR SYSTEMS AND DOING SO REPEATEDLY. But resilience, while necessary, is not the same as support.

Once the practical demands of overseas life are met — accommodation secured, children settled, daily rhythms re-established — many partners encounter a quieter challenge. Questions begin to surface: Who am I in this context? What am I building towards? What happens when this posting ends? These questions are rarely urgent, but they are persistent. Because they are not framed as crises, they often go unaddressed.

Much of the existing support available to military families overseas is rightly focused on the immediate and the essential: welfare provision, safeguarding, crisis response and signposting when something has gone wrong. These structures are vital and should not be diminished. However, there is comparatively little emphasis on proactive personal development — on confidence, identity and future direction — particularly during periods of transition.

BEYOND RESILIENCE:

Why military partners need space to grow, not just cope

By | Emma Stacey Ballard

For many partners, frequent moves interrupt careers, qualifications and long-term planning. Professional momentum is lost. Networks fragment. Even those who are capable and outwardly coping can find themselves increasingly disconnected from their own ambitions. There is often an unspoken assumption that personal development can wait — until the next posting, the next return to the UK, the next settled phase of life.

The difficulty with this assumption is that military life rarely offers a truly settled phase.

Across overseas communities, similar themes recur in conversations with partners. A loss of confidence following relocation. Uncertainty about next steps. A desire for time and space to reflect, without judgement and without pressure to produce an immediate outcome. These are not expressions of dissatisfaction with military life, but indicators of a structural gap between what is expected of partners and the support designed to sustain them over time.

This gap matters not only at an individual level, but systemically.

If partners are expected to remain adaptable, mobile and emotionally supportive across a military career, then their own development cannot remain incidental. Confidence, purpose and a sense of direction are not optional extras; they are foundational to resilience itself. Without them, resilience becomes endurance — and endurance has limits.

In response to this gap, a new bespoke and free programme — Empowering Military Partners (EMP) — has been developed and is currently being delivered within overseas military communities in Cyprus. The programme is supported locally by RAF Akrotiri and the Armed Forces Covenant, and delivered in association with Target Training Associates, whose facilitators bring lived experience of military life.

EMP is intentionally small-scale and reflective in tone. It does not focus primarily on job-hunting or qualifications, nor does it attempt to “fix” participants or fast-track outcomes. Instead, it provides structured space for partners to pause, rebuild confidence, explore identity and consider future direction in a peer-based environment.

What initiatives like this demonstrate is not simply the value of a single programme, but the importance of how support is framed. Small groups, familiar settings and shared experience matter. Growth is more likely when individuals are not treated as problems to be solved, but as people navigating cumulative transitions.

Crucially, this kind of provision does not replace existing welfare structures; it complements them. It recognises that development is not only required in moments of crisis. Often, it is most needed in the quieter periods — when everything appears functional from the outside but feels increasingly misaligned internally.

As the Armed Forces continue to consider retention, family stability and the sustainability of overseas postings, there is an opportunity to broaden how partner support is understood. Not solely as a safety net for when things go wrong, but as an investment in long-term capacity — emotional, professional and personal.

Resilience will always be part of military life. But if it remains the primary expectation placed on partners, without corresponding space to develop and plan, it risks becoming a substitute for meaningful support rather than a product of it.

Search Facebook for 'Empowering Military Partners’ for more details.

Emma Stacey Ballard is an educator and writer working within overseas military communities. She previously worked in broadcast journalism and now co-delivers the Empowering Military Partners programme, supporting confidence, resilience and personal development.

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Evidence

Over the winter, I continued work on the 2025 Pay Survey, building on evidence submitted to the AFPRB in October. A full and summary report were finalised in February 2026 and shared with stakeholders. Findings show growing financial pressure, with essential costs outpacing pay and half of respondents being dissatisfied with their income.

I also completed the report from our second survey on VAT on independent school fees that was conducted nine months after the Government introduced the 20% charge. This follow-up assessed the emerging impact on RAF families, with the report being shared with stakeholders in February 2026. Results show significant strain across ranks, with many finding fees unsustainable and cutting back on essentials or accumulating debt. Copies of both of these reports are available on request.

The Single Personnel Full Report is also close to completion, so please keep an eye out for its release. The report provides an insight into some of the lived experiences of single RAF personnel. It also ensures that their voices remain visible, valued, and central to ongoing conversations, serving as an assurance that the needs and perspectives of single personnel are now firmly embedded in our work.

EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE

We remain dedicated to championing the RAF community as education and additional needs systems evolve across the UK. Ensuring Armed Forces families have a meaningful voice in shaping future policy remains central to our work. In early 2026, we will respond to the Department for Education’s SEND Reform consultation in England and the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Supporting Children’s Learning Code of Practice. Ahead of the consultation deadlines in May 2026, we will invite families to share their views to help inform our submissions – further details coming soon on social media!

We continue to support families experiencing childcare challenges and hope the early years and childcare feature in this edition of Envoy helps parents and carers understand their options. We welcome the creation of the UK Nursery Authority (UKNA), launching across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from September 2026, and thank those who shared evidence with us on disparities in funded childcare provision to help bring about this change. We hope this new scheme will offer greater consistency for RAF families.

To those awaiting school or university offers, we send our best wishes and are here should you need support. Finally, we look forward to celebrating April’s Month of the Military Child—visit our website for ways to get involved and remember to wear purple on 24 April for Purple Up! Day.

Comms & Engagement

In 2026, the Families Federation is sharpening its communications to ensure that every message delivers real value to those who need it most. Guided by lived experience from RAF families, we’re focusing our effort where it matters: meeting people face-to -face at stations and community hubs, and engaging online with those who rely on clear, timely support wherever they are in the world. Our approach is targeted and purposeful. We’re strengthening relationships with key stakeholders across Defence, welfare organisations and local authorities - those who can help solve issues, shape policy, and amplify the voices of RAF families. Digital channels are becoming more intuitive and more responsive, online engagement allows to speak to those who we would otherwise not meet out and about, while in-person engagement ensures we remain grounded in the daily realities faced by families navigating service life. Whether advocating for housing improvements, financial support or access to care, our goal remains the same: to connect, to listen, and to champion families with clarity and impact. Think you could help us amplify our voice, and share our message? Email enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk

THE TEAM ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU AS A SERVICE PERSON OR FAMILY MEMBER.

We provide an independent voice, educate networks and push for policy change that supports the RAF community. Here is a snapshot of a few of our current areas of work – aimed at making life better for you at work or at home whether in the UK, or overseas.

Tim Unwin

Wendy Drysdale

Alexandra Stokes

Partner Employment and Overseas Support

From an overseas perspective, we continue to meet with global organisations to ensure that we are up to date with any changes that affect our families, whether generally or to discuss specific case work. We have advised families on wide ranging areas brought to us from overseas, from how to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct and navigating mobile phone contracts, through to welfare issues, access to training and the complex area of employment. We have advised on what to consider prior to accepting an overseas posting and how to best prepare for return to the UK.

Evidence from our families continues to be vital as we work with the MOD to improve information around spouse/partner employment overseas, including International Remote Working. We are pleased to report that we have been able to successfully support a spouse in taking their role with them as they prepare to accompany their Service person on an overseas assignment. Closer to home we are engaging with employers to increase their awareness of how to support Serving family members in their careers.

Accommodation

Throughout 2025, we have engaged closely with RAF Service families to understand concerns around SFA maintenance and availability. Our casework continues to achieve strong outcomes, particularly when escalating issues with Pinnacle, VIVO and Amey. Recent successes have included access to surplus SFA, improved support for damp and mould cases, and clarity around JSP 464 policy.

The RAF Families Federation has also played a key role in the Defence Housing Strategic Review. As a result, Service families will benefit from the Armed Forces Bill, which commits to better housing, services and protections. Central to this is the new Defence Housing Service, backed by £9 billion to improve nine in ten homes, with early progress seeing 1,000 of the worst-condition properties renovated ahead of schedule.

Health, Finance & Additional Needs

CHAMPIONING BETTER NHS ACCESS FOR SERVICE FAMILIES

The families I support provide vital evidence for change, highlighting where the interface between service families and the NHS needs to improve across the UK.

As the NHS in England moves swiftly towards using digital platforms for our interactions with services we have been working hard to ensure that our families are included in all considerations for development of NHS digital platforms. We know that dual serving parents are currently unable to use the NHS App as proxy for children under 13 yrs old and we know this can create issues when booking appointments and requesting prescriptions and test results.

We have met with service providers in NHS Scotland to improve continuity of care and transfer of medical notes as families move between nations where we have been able to demonstrate the issues our families face to illustrate the issues they face.

We continue to work with MOD and NHS bodies to better support families returning to UK from assignments overseas and integrating back into NHS services with minimal disruption and delay to ongoing care.

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Chris Adams

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CONNECTION THAT MOVES WITH YOU

Being a military spouse or partner in 2026 now contains a wonderful dichotomy: there are huge amounts of support out there for us, but it’s also really hard to find out about all of that support so you can actually use it.

Here at the Military Coworking Network, we spend a huge amount of time trying to spread the word about our low-cost, well-fitted-out coworking hubs on bases and our online community, and yet we still meet seasoned military partners who have no idea who we are or what we do. Social media just doesn’t spread the word like it used to, and unless you’re blessed to have made friends with that one person on camp who seems to be the oracle of all information (seriously - why does every camp seem to have one of those?), it can feel like an almost impossible task to know what support is actually out there.

Every time you move to a new location it can feel like starting again from scratch, and with new schemes launching all the time - and your own circumstances changing year to year - it can be hard to keep it all straight in your head.

Luckily this is one of our services that we offer.

As well as offering coworking spaces for military partners and spouses to work or study from, we also have a wellestablished online community and pride ourselves on being excellent signposts, helping direct people to the places that can support them with whatever they need.

Sometimes we can offer the solution ourselves - for example, if you need somewhere quiet to work or study and live near one of our hubs. At other times, we bring someone in to help with a specific issue, such as “How can I make and edit great Reels for my business?”, which was an event that we ran last year in conjunction with BFBS. There are obviously things - such as housing or employment issues - that we can’t help with directly, but luckily, we tend to know the exact people who can. That means we can point you in the right direction and even make introductions where needed.

We promise you that although you may feel forgotten at times as a military spouse, partner or family member, you’re really not. There is a lot of support out there for you – just finding it is often the hardest part.

The modern world is very much about not what you know, but who you know. For those of us dealing with frequent postings, that can be tricky to navigate, as each move can feel like starting again when it comes to building a network.

As we know, military partners become exceptional at problem-solving, adapting quickly and building relationships from scratch - often without realising just how valuable those skills are. The ability to ask the right questions, find the right people, and do all of this while juggling everything else going wrong at the same time is a skill to be proud of.

Career pauses, pivots and detours are a reality of military life, but they are not a reflection of your ability or ambition. Being part of a connected community helps reconfirm confidence, reminding us of who we are outside of our partner’s role. When we share experiences, skills and opportunities, careers stop feeling like solo projects and start feeling possible again.

Connection isn’t just about accessing help when things feel hard; it’s about building resilience for the future. We frequently hear that people don’t want to access support because they feel like someone else needs it more, but you need to stop putting everyone else first all the time and look after yourself. When you’re part of a community that moves with you,

you’re no longer starting from zero each time you move. You carry knowledge, contacts and confidence forward with you.

That’s why staying connected matters even during the “good” seasons. Community isn’t just there to catch us when we fall - it helps us grow, take risks and imagine bigger possibilities for our lives, no matter where the next posting takes us.

No problem is too big or too small. We had an online member who was finding the overwhelm creeping in every week and asked for a 30-minute colouring break every Wednesday lunchtime - a chance to stop, breathe and take some time each week with the accountability of others sharing the space too. This is community at its finest, and it is now a regular session if you fancy heading over to www.militarycoworking.uk/ events to sign up.

We’re open to all military partners, spouses and adult family members, whether accompanied or unaccompanied, and we welcome veterans’ partners too - because just because your partner has left the military doesn’t mean you need to lose the community of people who get you.

Our online community is completely free to join at www.militarycoworking.uk and our inbox is always open at info@militarycoworking.uk - or simply come along to one of our many events, have a chat, and start building the community that moves with you. And if you want to keep up with all the schemes and support that are available to you, sign up for our newsletter on our website and get your monthly roundup delivered straight to you.

RAF Charity Charter 2026–2030: Strengthening Support for Those Who Serve

The Royal Air Force’s new Charity Charter sets out a clear, shared ambitious vision: to ensure that every member of the serving community -- and the families who stand beside them -- has the support, resources, and resilience they need to thrive. Spanning 2026 to 2030, the Charter cements a shared commitment between the RAF and its charity partners, building on decades of cooperation to deliver welfare and wellbeing support far beyond what the Service could achieve alone.

Since the formation of the RAF, the charity sector has been an enduring ally. Today, that partnership remains essential. From advocacy and specialist guidance to community activities and crisis support, RAF charities help bridge gaps, respond quickly to emerging needs, and offer care tailored to the realities of Service life. The Charter recognises this collaborative strength and seeks to harness it fully by aligning priorities, sharing research, and ensuring every programme adds meaningful value.

Who the Charter Supports

The Charter’s reach is intentionally broad. Through the RAF People and Families Support team - guided by the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and Director People - the Charter supports:

• All Regular and Reserve personnel

• Their families

• Individuals at every stage of the Service journey, including those transitioning out

Whether someone has just joined, is navigating the pressures of deployment, or is preparing for civilian life, the Charter ensures their needs remain at the forefront.

How the RAF Will Deliver This Commitment

A core element of the Charter is the RAF’s promise to be an empathetic, responsive organisation. This means listening actively to individuals, recognising diverse circumstances, safeguarding privacy, and resolving issues quickly - especially around accommodation, families, and welfare support. Clear communication, fair and consistent decision-making, and effective signposting to charity partners all form part of this strengthened approach.

A Vision for a Resilient, Connected Community

At its heart, the Charity Charter exists to enhance wellbeing - physical, mental, and emotional. Its vision is simple yet powerful: to improve the lived experience of today’s serving community while laying strong foundations for future generations.

By fostering resilience, the Charter aims to ensure RAF personnel feel valued, supported, and equipped to overcome adversity. For those considering joining the Service, the Charter helps shape a compelling RAF ‘Offer’. For those preparing to leave, the goal is to feel appreciated long after their final day in uniform.

The Charter is more than policy - it’s a renewed promise to the people who make the RAF what it is.

To learn more, and take a look at the charter, visit www.raf-ff.org.uk/raf-charity-charter-2026-2030

RAFA RIDES RETURNS FOR 2026

The RAF Association’s global cycling event RAFA Rides is back, offering more opportunities for even more people to jump on their bikes, take on a physical challenge and have fun. Since 2018, RAFA Rides has created a space where RAF personnel, veterans and supporters can come together to share the joy of movement and the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Whether riding for the sense of achievement, the fresh air, or the camaraderie, RAFA Rides is a unique chance for people to recharge, refocus and feel good, on and off the bike. Last year saw the RAFA Rides season expand to include four events throughout June at Kendrew Barracks, RAF Leeming, RAF Brize Norton and RAF Marham.

Now heading into its ninth year, the Association has launched a new 12-mile route for 2026, making RAFA Rides more accessible to anyone, regardless of their experience.

Liam Clark-Brown, Associate Director of Fundraising and Engagement at the RAF Association, said: “The growth of RAFA Rides has been exponential with over 6,500 people taking part since its inception in 2018. It has now become much more than a military cycling event, giving participants an opportunity to meet up with old friends, make new ones and challenge themselves both physically and mentally in a supportive environment.”

Over 2,000 cyclists came together last year to take on RAFA Rides, including former England rugby player and exRAF pilot Rory Underwood MBE and former England and Leicester Tigers captain Martin Johnson CBE, making it the biggest RAFA Rides season to date.

People take part in RAFA Rides for a variety of reasons. For 64-year-old former GP Jim Hope, who took part in the Kendrew Barracks event last year, RAFA Rides is a chance for him to enjoy his passion for cycling in an accessible way, following a battle with leukaemia 15 years ago.

Jim beat his illness but was left with nerve damage which affects his balance. He now uses a trike, which requires less balance than a traditional bike, and finds the set-up and atmosphere at RAFA Rides ideal, given his specific requirements.

“I like to do RAFA Rides because I feel well supported throughout. I do have a few glitches these days, but I feel if there was ever a problem, someone would be there to help me,” said Jim. “Given my nerve damage, I have to be a bit more mindful, but at RAFA Rides, I know there’s actually going to be someone there to come and give me a hand if I need it.”

Participants can choose from route options of 12, 25, 50, 75 and 100 miles at each RAFA Rides event, taking place on the following dates:

• RAF Marham – Saturday 6 June

• Kendrew Barracks – Saturday 13 June

• RAF Brize Norton – Saturday 20 June

• RAF Leeming – Saturday 27 June

Those unable to attend the in-person events can take advantage of RAFA Rides Your Way, designed for participants who want to join from

To find out more about RAFA Rides 2026 and sign up to an event, visit rides.rafa.org.uk.

EARLY YEARS AND CHILDCARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RAF FAMILIES

By | Naomi Skelton, Early Years Specialist Advisor SO1, RAF

Supporting young children during their early years is a priority for many RAF families, especially when balancing service commitments with family life. Accessing quality childcare and early education can make a significant difference in a child’s development and provide peace of mind for parents. Here’s an overview of the opportunities and support available with some practical advice for RAF families.

Why Early Years Support Matters

The first five years of a child’s life are crucial for their emotional, social, and cognitive development. High-quality early years education helps children build confidence, develop communication skills, and prepare them for school. For RAF families, reliable childcare also supports operational readiness by enabling parents to focus on their duties knowing their children are in safe hands.

Childcare Options for RAF Families

• Nurseries and Childcare Settings

There are various types of early years settings run by different providers, including private, charity, voluntary, independent, community, and local authority nurseries and childcare provision.

• MOD-Approved Nurseries and Childcare Settings

Many RAF stations have on-site nurseries or partnerships with local providers. These settings understand the unique needs of service families, such as irregular working hours and deployments.

• Registered Childminders

Offer flexible care in a home environment—ideal for families needing adaptable hours or smaller group settings.

• Nannies and Au Pairs

Provide in-home care and can offer additional flexibility for families with complex schedules.

• Wraparound Care

Before- and after-school clubs for primary school aged children help parents manage early starts or late finishes.

Local Station People and Families Support Teams, including HIVE Information Officers, can provide details on on-site and local childcare provision in the area.

Current Financial Support Available

• Government-Funded Hours:

England: For all 3 and 4-year-olds (Universal Entitlement): 15 hours of funded childcare per week (570 hours per year).

Eligible working parents (30-Hour Offer): 30 hours per

week for 38 weeks, for children aged 9 months to 4 years, if parents meet specific income and work criteria.

Scotland: 3 to 5 year olds can get up to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare a year. This is around: 22 hours a week if used all year or 30 hours a week if used only during school term time.

Wales: 3 and 4 year olds can get up to 30 hours of combined government funded nursery education and childcare a week. 30 hours a week is made up of: at least 10 hours of nursery education & up to 20 hours of childcare. The amount you will get depends on how many hours of nursery education your local authority offers.

Northern Ireland: All children aged 3 and 4 are entitled to 12.5 hours per week, typically 2.5 hours/day, 5 days/week, during school term. The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) aims to reduce the childcare costs of eligible working parents by 15 per cent for all qualifying children. This is for childcare from 0 – 11 years. Parents must be claiming Tax-Free Childcare to receive the new Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy.

• Tax-Free Childcare: For eligible working parents who can get a £2 top-up for every £8 up to £2,000 per year towards the cost of their childcare.

• MOD-Funded Wraparound Childcare (WAC) and Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas (PSACO): Available in the UK and overseas. Eligible Service families with children aged 4 to 11 years old (4-16 years old if child is in receipt of disability benefits) can claim up to 20 hours per week of funding for each child attending before and after school care during term time (39 weeks per year). Wraparound Childcare is known as ‘Out of School Care’ in Wales and ‘School Age Childcare’ in Scotland. The PSACO Allowance provides a reimbursement of costs for before and after school childcare in overseas locations where due to local rules or regulations it is not possible for WAC eligibility criteria to be met, or because Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) accounts are not available.

• Overseas Early Years Support: In overseas locations where the children of entitled Defence staff have no statutory entitlement to access host nation provision, the MOD delivers this entitlement through places at Defence Children Services (DCS) schools and settings or through access to the MOD Overseas Nursery Authority, (ONA). Where there is no suitable DCS provided setting available for any children aged 9 months to school starting age accompanying them, entitled Defence staff can apply for ONA to cover Early Years childcare fees. ONA can only be applied for when using childcare providers (or childminders), that have been registered, regulated and inspected by the host nation. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their chosen provider meets these criteria. Please note entitlements do vary—check local authority or overseas command guidance.

Hot off the press!

A brand-new reimbursement scheme for early years education and childcare will launch across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from September 2026 supporting eligible working families. This landmark move brings UK-wide childcare support for our Armed Forces, aligning the offer with England’s funded childcare from 9 months and up. A major step toward consistency, fairness, and helping our youngest Service children thrive - wherever their families serve. Further information can be found here: https://www.raf-ff.org.uk/uk-nursery-authority/

Additional Resources

• HIVE Information Officers: Local details on childcare options available. You can find contact details for your local HIVE Service at: https://www.raf.mod.uk/communitysupport/serving-families/hive-finder/ Alternatively, email the HIVE Service Management Team who can support your enquiry Air-People-PFSpt-HIVEMlbx@mod.gov.uk

• Best Start in Life: https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/ enter your details on the childcare support checker to help find out how you can potentially save money on your childcare.

• Families Hub: https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/ families/

• Defence Childcare Information: https://www.gov.uk/ guidance/childcare-for-service-children

• RAF Families Federation: https://www.raf-ff.org.uk/ education/childcare/

Practical Tips for RAF Families

• Plan Ahead: Childcare places can be limited near stations—register early.

• Communicate Needs: Inform providers about deployments or shift patterns; and any additional needs if appropriate.

• Use Local Authority Families Information Service (FIS): Free, impartial advice on childcare, early education, financial help, and family support.

• Use the Best Start in Life website: https://beststartinlife. gov.uk/

• Connect with Community: Local support groups and People & Families Support Teams can share recommendations and advice.

Air’s Commitment to Early Years Education and Childcare

Early years and childcare provision is essential in supporting Service Personnel and their families. Our strategic aim is to deliver affordable, high-quality, accessible, and sufficient early years education and childcare for RAF families—recognised as a critical enabler of operational effectiveness. We are committed to creating opportunities for our youngest Service children to thrive through enriched, play-based learning experiences and inclusive environments that foster holistic development and give them the best possible start in life.

Air Command, working in partnership with key stakeholders, aims to ensure RAF families have access to high-quality, affordable early years education and childcare provision that meets their needs and supports family wellbeing.

Key initiatives and approaches in support of Air’s commitment:

• Sufficiency and accessibility: leading efforts to scope and ensure sufficiency and accessibility of childcare places, working with stations, local authorities, and key stakeholders. Developing future provision fit for the next generation with proposed new early years and childcare facilities such as at RAF Lossiemouth.

• Advocacy: Addressing disparities in childcare offers for families stationed across the UK and overseas..

• Assurance: Oversee and review the quality of early years education and childcare provision and services for children including ensuring compliance with statutory frameworks.

• Investment: Support applications to MOD funding through the Armed Forces Covenant Trust Fund which has provided over £1 million to RAF settings since 2023 to enhance learning, deployment support, and improve facilities.

• Procurement Strategy: Enables contract compliance and procurement activity to ensure high quality childcare provision is maintained and meets the needs of RAF families.

• Family Support Programmes: Facilitate Ben Stay & Play sessions and parenting programmes funded by the RAF Benevolent Fund across stations, including expanded holiday provision from Summer 2026.

• RAF Parenting and Wellbeing Team: Provides support and guidance to RAF Personnel, focussing on parental policies for serving parents and mental wellbeing for all: https://modgovuk.sharepoint.com/sites/IntranetRAF/ SitePages/Support-for-Serving-Parents.aspx (accessible for Service personnel). The RAF New Parent pack is openly available on the RAF Families Federation website at: https://www.raf-ff.org.uk/health/parenthood/

Quick Reference Checklist for Families:

 Plan ahead for childcare places

 Check eligibility for funded hours

 Register for Tax-Free Childcare if eligible

 Inform providers about deployments

 Contact FIS for local support

Continuity through every posting: Why military families are turning to online schooling

For military families, frequent relocations are often part of the journey. While new postings bring exciting opportunities, they can also create challenges when it comes to children’s education.

Changing schools, adapting to new curriculums, and rebuilding friendships can be diﬃcult for students who move regularly between bases in the UK and overseas. For many families, maintaining stability in education becomes a priority. The education you choose today will shape the person your child becomes tomorrow.

King’s InterHigh delivers live, interactive lessons taught by experienced teachers, following the British curriculum from primary through to GCSEs and A Levels. The curriculum is taught across three global time zones (UK, Middle East and Southeast Asia), so families have full ﬂexibility to choose a time zone that best ﬁts their needs and can switch to another time zone if they prefer. Our Key Stage 5 students can also opt to study the IB Diploma Programme on a UK timetable.

Students are taught by UK and internationally qualiﬁed teachers and get the personalised, innovative, supportive education they need to thrive. Students log in each day to attend scheduled lessons, participate in discussions, and complete coursework just as they would in a traditional school setting. All lessons are recorded so students can easily catch up on missed lessons — 24/7, without pressure.

For Julie Scholey Smith, a parent that travels around the world, King's InterHigh helped to encourage her children to take ownership and responsibility of their learning:

What’s surprised us most about online schooling is how clearly it shows things like motivation, independence, and support, things that exist in all education, but are harder to miss online. Making sure both children are supported alongside their teachers, while keeping on top of work, can take a lot of energy. Some days every thing ﬂows, other days it takes more encouragement to keep everyone engaged, including us. Online school ing seems to ask for that independence earlier.

When asked about the diﬀerences she has noticed in her two children currently learning at King’s InterHigh, she stated: “They seem comfortable with themselves, conﬁdent in their own skin, and able to adapt to new environments with ease. They’re constantly pushing their comfort zones in life.”

With over 12,500 alumni since 2005, King’s InterHigh is a DfE- and Cambridge-accredited school that gives families all the rigour and opportunity of an elite independent school with the ﬂexibility to study anywhere at any time. For many military families, this ﬂexibility can help remove some of the disruption that often accompanies postings.

Beyond academics, King’s InterHigh oﬀers more than 100 clubs alongside online and in-person events around the world, giving students opportunities to connect with like-minded peers. For families living in close-knit military communities, this can be a natural extension of their local social circles, allowing students to broaden their networks while connecting with a global cohort of peers.

SUPPORTING OVERSEAS FAMILIES: PSACO ALLOWANCE NOW AVAILABLE

The Ministry of Defence has introduced the Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas (PSACO) allowance, a new initiative designed to ease the financial burden of childcare for Service families stationed overseas. This allowance marks the final phase of the Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme, ensuring that families outside the UK can access similar support to those based at home.

What is PSACO?

PSACO provides reimbursement for before and after school childcare costs for children aged 4–11, or up to 16 for those receiving certain UK disability benefits. It applies in overseas locations where WAC eligibility cannot be met or where Tax-Free Childcare accounts are unavailable.

It’s important to note that PSACO does not create childcare spaces; instead, it reimburses costs incurred when using registered and regulated providers. This flexibility means families can choose providers that best suit their needs while still benefiting from financial support.

How to Register and Claim

To access PSACO, families must:

• Ensure all children are recorded and verified on JPA

• Register via ‘My Child Allowances: WAC’ on JPA.

“This allowance is a significant step forward in supporting Service families overseas, ensuring childcare costs don’t become a barrier to family wellbeing.”

• Wait until your child shows as ‘registered’ before submitting a claim.

Claims cover up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time, with capped hourly rates outlined in the PSACO DIN. This structure mirrors the UK WAC scheme, helping maintain consistency for families wherever they are posted.

Resources and Support

Comprehensive guidance, eligibility criteria and step-by-step Self-Service User Guides are available on:

• https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk

• Defence Childcare Information pages on Defnet or Defence Connect

The MOD Families Policy Team

Defence is committed to supporting our current and future Service families. The Defence Wraparound Childcare (WAC) scheme became available to families living in the UK in September 2022. In January 2025 WAC was expanded to overseas locations within the European Economic Area and Switzerland, and in locations where Defence Children Services (DCS) schools and settings are used for before and after school childcare. The launch of the Primary School Aged Childcare Overseas (PSACO) Allowance is the final phase of the WAC scheme, and another step in Defence providing support to Service families, making before and after school childcare funding available to all eligible Service families around the world.

Alongside the financial impact of claiming Defence before and after school childcare allowances (PSACO or WAC), feedback from families taking part in a WAC evaluation survey showed positive benefits to claiming the funding including: non-Serving partners being able to return to work in a career more suited to their qualifications, or work more hours; dualServing couples found a better work-life balance; children’s social skills improved; parent and child wellbeing improved as the end of the work/ school day was calmer.

KEY FACTS ABOUT PSACO

• Who is eligible? Children aged 4–11 (or up to 16 with certain UK disability benefits).

• What does it cover? Up to 20 hours per week, per child, during term time.

• Where does it apply? Overseas locations where WAC or Tax-Free Childcare is unavailable.

• How do I claim? Register via JPA and submit claims once your child is verified.

• Important: PSACO reimburses costs; it does not provide childcare spaces.

Air Commodore Chris Todd, Head of People & Families Support, welcomed the final phase of the Wrap Around Childcare Scheme, which will reimburse eligible families overseas for before and after school clubs: ‘Reimbursing childcare for primary school-aged children overseas enhances the well-being and operational effectiveness of personnel abroad. Expanding financial childcare support helps mitigate some of the challenges faced by Service families, enables parents to focus on operational duties, supports retention, and reinforces our commitment to our people, wherever they are stationed.’

Director of the RAF Families Federation, Andrea Devlin, said: “Extending wraparound childcare support to our overseas families through PSACO is an important step in delivering a more consistent offer, wherever Service

Flexible boarding options: full, weekly, flexi and occasional boarding Supporting

Families in receipt of the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) will only pay 10% of school fees All other serving Forces and FCDO families receive a 20% discount on boarding fees

Admissions process designed to accommodate the unpredictability of deployment

A warm, well established community for military families within both the school and the wider GDST network of 25 schools

Convenient location close to major airports and military bases

BRINGING CHILDREN TOGETHER

SSCE Cymru hit the road over the winter, hosting five Armed Forces Festivals at military bases across Wales; including three Reserve units in Cardiff, Haverfordwest and Flintshire, along with RAF Valley in Anglesey and the Infantry Battle School in Brecon, what a celebration it turned out to be! A total of 348 Service children and 35 of their peers from 45 schools in 19 local authorities came together, transforming each venue into a buzzing hub of connection, creativity and pride.

The festivals were all about bringing Armed Forces connected children and young people together in a space where their experiences were understood and celebrated. Throughout the day, pupils took part in a wide range of hands-on workshops supported by Never Such Innocence, World War Wales, Character Education & Life Skills (CELS), Forces Fitness, VC Gallery, Veterans for Dogs, Oriel Môn, the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, and multiple engagement teams from the Army and RAF. The sessions explored elements of history, health and wellbeing, creative arts, and team-building challenges. Whether crafting,

problem-solving or learning something new, the atmosphere was full of energy and excitement.

One Service child summed up the experience perfectly: “I loved them [the workshops] all because they all involved teamwork. I made a friend.”

When asked what their favourite workshop was, one Service child told us: “Medical / CPR because they taught us how to save someone’s life.”

Schools were just as enthusiastic. One teacher shared: “The children had a fantastic and inspiring day. The activities were engaging, the performances motivated the pupils, and the whole atmosphere made them feel included and valued.”

With April fast approaching, SSCE Cymru is already looking ahead to more opportunities to bring Service children together during the Month of the Military Child. At the Armed Forces Festivals, Service children worked alongside Never Such Innocence to write original songs inspired by their experiences that will be launched in April as part of the celebrations.

If you’re planning your own Month of the Military Child activities, visit the SSCE Cymru webpage (https:// sscecymru.co.uk/en/events/month-of-the-military-child/) for ideas, inspiration and highlights from past events across Wales.

RAF ASSOCIATION’S WOMEN’S WELLBEING NETWORK

The RAF Association’s Women’s Wellbeing Network offers a supportive, open and encouraging environment for serving women to develop their understanding of a wide range of topics that may affect their day-to-day life.

Each hosted by an expert guest speaker, our webinars will provide the space for women to talk, share ideas and connect with others from across the community. We acknowledge that everyone’s experiences of serving with the RAF can be unique, and so each webinar will be held in a confidential environment and is tailored to offer insight and guidance into a variety of subjects and demographics

Our community and webinars are open to all women with a connection to the RAF, and are free to attend To make the most of the community, you are welcome to attend more than one webinar

To find out more information and book your webinar, visit rafa.org.uk/wwn or call 0800 018 2361.

Educational and inclusive webinars featuring expert speakers for women serving in the RAF and RAF Reserves

Topics include:

The science of positivity

Perimenopause and menopause

Leadership

Exercise and the female physiology

Finances

Networking and self promotion

Life and work in Germany Q&A:

By | Corporal Josh Barton

DEPLOYED TO THE GERMAN CITY OF ULM, JOSH IS EXPERIENCING A VERY DIFFERENT RHYTHM OF RAF LIFE. FROM NATO COLLABORATION TO DISCOVERING GERMAN COMFORT FOOD, HE SHARES WHAT MAKES THIS POSTING BOTH CHALLENGING AND REWARDING.

What does a typical day look like for you, and how does it differ from back in the UK?

” I work on a German Bundeswehr base, which is very different from an RAF base in the UK. You interact with so many military personnel from different nations. Ulm itself is a great city, and the multinational environment gives every day a very different feel.”

Do you collaborate much with German military personnel or other NATO forces? What’s that like?

“We do during work events. Every year we have a Nations Day, where each country sets up a stall with food, drinks, and live music. It’s a great way to mix with other forces and celebrate the different cultures on base.”

How do you and your colleagues interact with the local community? Any memorable experiences?

“I have a season ticket at the local football club, SSV Ulm. It’s a brilliant way to meet people outside of work. The atmosphere at matches is fantastic.”

What’s the most challenging part of living overseas, and how do you manage it?

“Being alone can be tough, although for me it hasn’t been a major issue because I use my free time to travel. But some families do struggle, especially with the school system here — the culture is different, particularly in the international school. Welfare support is good but limited, so families need to think carefully before moving overseas with children.”

What surprised you most about living and working in Germany?

“There are a lot of rules - old traditions that still exist today. Also, the cultural differences between regions are huge. Southern Germany feels entirely different from other places in Germany I’ve visited like Frankfurt, Berlin, or Cologne.”

What advice would you give someone considering an overseas posting?

“Put yourself out there. Embrace, and respect, the culture and the country you’re in. Don’t complain. Enjoy it. If you’re open-minded, you’ll enjoy it. If you’re not, you probably won’t - and that will affect your job. In that case, let someone else have the opportunity.”

What’s one thing you miss from the UK, and one thing you’ll miss about Germany when you leave?

From the UK: definitely the snack food. It’s just not as good here! From Germany: the football. I’ll really miss that.

If you could travel anywhere in Europe, where would you go and why?

I love hiking and being outdoors, so probably the Austrian Alps or the Dolomites in Italy. Big mountains, long trails, and incredible views… that’s my ideal escape.

VFFO PROGRAMME NEWS

Last year the Army Families Federation was awarded a significant grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to deliver a four-year programme, Valuing Forces Families Overseas (VFFO), in partnership with the Naval Families Federation (NFF) and the RAF Families Federation (RAFFF).

The programme consists of projects that will support the cycle of overseas assignments. The first, launched last year, was a research project in partnership with RAND Europe, which aims to discover hidden need among our community and pinpoint where support is most needed.

This study will examine the cycle of overseas assignments to provide an up-to-date understanding of families’ experiences during these postings. Research will include community focus groups and stakeholder interviews, ensuring that families’ voices remain central to the process. Work is already underway on this so do look out for any forthcoming opportunities to get involved.

The NFF is working on developing a series of tri-service briefs. Sian Timms, NFF overseas project lead, said: “In

the summer, service personnel and their families currently serving overseas or recently assigned abroad were asked if there was ‘Just One Thing’ they wished they had known before their overseas assignment.

“Using their insights, along with other evidence from engagements, we are developing a new suite of video resources to help service personnel and their families make informed choices about overseas assignments. Working with a video production company, we’re creating dynamic scripts and animations with service families in mind.”

Work on a tri-service website is also underway and is currently in the discovery phase, headed up by the RAF Families Federation, who have been talking to families to understand their overseas experiences and reviewing existing resources to identify gaps. Insights from this work will shape the project and ensure the platform will meet families’ needs.

Below (left to right): Project Consultant Edward Grace, NFF Head of Policy Rebecca Lovell, AFF Head of Policy Rachel Smith, RAFFF Director Andrea Devlin, NFF CEO Sarah Clewes, AFF Chief Executive Collette Musgrave and AFF Head of Finance Vivienne Franklin.

YORK, HARROGATE AND LEEDS IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

WELCOMING STUDENTS FROM 3 MONTHS TO 19 YEARS

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THE TELEGRAPH

HOMEHUB – Helping you to manage where you live

HOMEHUB IS THE NEWLY LAUNCHED ONLINE PLATFORM DESIGNED TO SUPPORT FAMILIES LIVING IN UK SERVICE FAMILY ACCOMMODATION (SFA). HOMEHUB MAKES IT EASIER FOR YOU TO RAISE AND TRACK REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE REQUESTS, AS WELL AS BOOK AND MANAGE APPOINTMENTS. FAMILIES CAN QUICKLY MANAGE THINGS ONLINE WITHOUT THE NEED TO CALL PINNACLE.

It is now available to all serving personnel and their families across the UK where their properties are maintained by DIO’s maintenance providers Amey and VIVO.

What services are available through HomeHub? HomeHub is a self-service online platform which provides you with access to:

• Request maintenance repairs and book appointments (where applicable)

• Track the progress of repairs

• Review outstanding repairs, view or manage existing appointments (where applicable)

• Raise a complaint or compliment

• Update your contact details

• View your move in and move out documentation

Please note, if you feel your repair is an emergency (risk of injury or damage to property), then you should call Pinnacle National Service Centre 0800 031 8628 selecting the repairs option.

How do I register for HomeHub?

To register for a HomeHub account you will need:

• Your full name

• Your date of birth

• A One Login account

• Your e1132 application number - visit the Homehub page on Defence Homes for more information on how to locate this

To access HomeHub you will first need to register for a One Login account. You can do this at https://homehub. pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk - If more than one member of your household wants to access HomeHub, you will each need to register for your own One Login account using the relevant personal details.

Once you have registered for a One Login account you will be taken straight through to HomeHub to complete your registration.

This new self-service platform puts families in control, making it easier to manage repairs in your home whilst still getting support from the National Service Centre when needed.

For further information on using HomeHub, please visit defencehomes.mod.gov.uk/homehub-information or www.pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk/homehub for additional FAQ’s and “how to” video guides.

RAISING A HOUSING CONCERN: A Clear Complaints Guide for RAF Families

By | Mark Hayhurst, Accommodation Specialist, RAF Families Federation

Living in SFA is central to family life for many RAF families. When something goes wrong - heating failures, stalled repairs, poor communication - the disruption is immediate. For families already managing postings, shift patterns, or deployment pressures, not knowing how to raise a concern can add unnecessary stress.

This guide brings together the latest updates to the SFA complaints process, what families can expect at each stage, and how they can feel confident speaking up when standards fall short.

A CHANGING COMPLAINTS LANDSCAPE

In April 2025, the MOD introduced the SFA Consumer Charter following long-standing concerns from RAF, Army and Naval families about slow resolutions, inconsistent communication, and limited accountability. The charter sets clearer expectations for service standards and aims to make accommodation support more transparent and reliable.

Whether you are based at Wittering, Lossiemouth, Brize Norton, or living overseas, the updated process gives families a more structured and consistent route for raising concerns - and greater confidence that issues will be handled properly.

STEP 1: REPORT THE ISSUE THROUGH PINNACLE

Your first point of contact for repairs and early-stage concerns is Pinnacle Service Families, the SFA customer service centre.

How to Get in Touch Repairs (24/7): UK: 0800 031 8628

Overseas: +44 (0) 161 605 3529

Online repairs: www.pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk/repairs/ new-existing-repair-form

Service Centre hours: 08:30–16:30, Mon–Fri

Out of hours: Live chat/chatbot at www.pinnacleservicefamilies. co.uk/contact-us

Defence HomeHub: A new digital platform for housing queries and guidance.

TOP TIPS FOR LOGGING ISSUES EFFECTIVELY

Strong early documentation makes a difference if an issue later becomes a complaint.

Be clear and specific

State exactly what is wrong, where, and since when.

Example: “No heating in living room since 14 January.”

Explain the impact

Highlight effects on health, children, safety, or day-to-day living.

Keep the reference number

Every logged repair generates one — vital if escalation becomes necessary.

Keep your own timeline

Record dates, times, who you spoke to, and any promises made.

Upload photos

Images of leaks, mould or unfinished work reduce misunderstanding and speed investigations.

Follow up on missed timescales

If deadlines slip, contact Pinnacle again and quote the job number.

Stay factual and calm

Clarity helps teams act quickly and strengthens your case if escalation is needed.

Don’t wait too long

Indicative timescales

Where immediate fixes aren’t possible, you should be given realistic timelines and updates.

Raise issues as soon as practicable. If deployments, illness or moves delay reporting, mention this.

STEP 2: IF IT’S NOT RESOLVED — RAISE A FORMAL COMPLAINT

Complaints progress through two stages, ensuring concerns can be properly investigated and put right. If you remain dissatisfied at any stage, you may move to the next.

Stage One: Pinnacle Complaint

Call 0800 031 8628 or visit: www.pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk/complaints

You will receive an acknowledgement within 24 hours, a complaint reference number, and regular updates.

Stage Two: Escalate to DIO Customer Support

If you are unhappy with the Stage One outcome, escalate to the DIO Customer Support Team either by:

Completing the Stage Two form on the Defence Intranet, or Emailing: diordaccn-stage2noreply@mod.gov.uk

YOUR EMAIL MUST INCLUDE:

Stage One complaint reference number

Your name and contact number

The SFA address involved

A clear explanation of why the Stage One response was unsatisfactory

The remedy you are seeking

Missing information may mean your complaint is not accepted, so double-check before sending. Keep your references, notes, and timelines — they strengthen your position if resolution takes longer than expected.

STEP 3: WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A COMPLAINT REVIEW

Processes vary depending on the issue, but you can generally expect:

Clear communication from your case handler

You should know who is managing your complaint and how to contact them.

Guidance if you disagree with the outcome

You should understand how to challenge a decision if the proposed solution doesn’t resolve the problem.

Clear escalation routes

If issues remain unresolved or are complex, you should be advised on independent or higher-level escalation options.

Under the updated Consumer Charter, DIO and contractors have committed to more transparent communication, clearer accountability, and a better-defined customer journey throughout the complaints process.

STEP 4: KNOW THE POLICY BACKBONE — JSP 464

Behind the complaints process sits JSP 464: Tri-Service Accommodation Regulations (TSARs). These regulations govern how SFA is allocated, maintained, and managed. They also shape how complaints teams assess fairness, entitlement and whether required service levels have been met.

Understanding that complaints handlers must follow these regulations can help families make sense of decisions and expectations.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY

Raising a concern is not just about repairs — it’s about feeling heard and supported. RAF families are not expected to navigate this alone.

Alongside Pinnacle and DIO processes, families can seek independent help from:

RAF Families Federation

HIVE Information Services

Unit welfare teams

These organisations can help clarify entitlements, support you through the complaints process, and provide reassurance when issues feel complex or emotionally draining. Reaching out is not a sign of failure — it often helps resolve issues more quickly and with greater confidence.

If you have an accommodation problem linked to Service life that you cannot resolve through official channels, contact us at: www.raf-ff.org.uk/contact

We’re here to help ensure your family’s housing concerns are understood and addressed.

The Station Families Housing Officer: Here to Support You

Military life places unique demands on our people and their families. To help navigate these challenges, most RAF units are supported by dedicated teams who provide guidance on housing, community activities, education and employment. Among these teams is a group of professionals whose work directly affects the comfort and stability of our families at home: our Station Families Housing Officers (SFHOs) - formerly known as Service Community Support Officers (SCSOs).

SFHOs are currently located at 25 RAF units. They bring with them a rich mix of professional backgrounds- HR specialists, medics, Service police, logisticians, engineers and ground combat specialists - each drawing on their own extensive military and life experience. Though their career paths differ, their purpose is shared: to support RAF people and families so the Royal Air Force remains ready to deliver operational effect - today, tonight and whenever required.

How the Role Evolved

The former SCSO role was created nearly two decades ago to bolster community support during a period of heightened operational tempo associated with Ops HERRICK and

SFHOs often work closely with other members of the unit’s People & Families Support team, including Community Development Officers and HIVE Information Officers. In some units, SFHO duties sit alongside broader responsibilities, meaning individuals may also hold titles such as WO, FS or SNCO People & Families Support.

How Your SFHO Can Support You

Your local SFHO can assist at every stage of your housing journey:

• Guidance when you’re newly assigned

If you’re new to a unit or unfamiliar with the area, your SFHO can help explain where Service Families Accommodation (SFA) is located. Working closely with local Pinnacle Housing Officers, they can also provide insight into current housing availability.

• Advice on special requirement

If you or a family member requires adaptations to your home, the SFHO can advise you on the appropriate processes and what to expect.

• Support when your SFA offer doesn’t seem right After receiving an SFA offer from the Pinnacle National Service Centre, you may feel it doesn’t meet your needs.

explore alternatives with Pinnacle.

• Help resolving issues in your home

If you experience a housing problem that isn’t being resolved through the National Service Centre, your SFHO can help identify the best route forward. Many coordinate regular housing clinics or open office events with partners from DIO, Pinnacle and Amey/Vivo, offering families the chance to raise issues face to face. These sessions are advertised through unit communication channels and social media.

• Acting as the unit’s “eyes and ears”

By reporting issues to your SFHO, you help them monitor emerging trends that may require action at unit or RAF-wide level, whether through DIO, industry partners, local command or the RAF Housing Colonel’s Team.

Finding Your Local SFHO

If you’re unsure who your SFHO is, your local HIVE Information Officer will be able to provide their details. You can find contact information for your nearest HIVE at www.raf.mod.uk/ community-support/serving-families/ hive-finder

Let’s

For families in the armed forces, our boarding offers stability, continuity, and a welcoming home-away-from-home. We understand the unique challenges of service life and provide tailored flexibility to suit your family needs. Military discount available.

START YOUR CHILD’S JOURNEY TODAY

Spaces available for September 2026. Discover Framlingham College on one of our Open Days or book a private visit today. framlinghamcollege.co.uk admissions@framlinghamcollege.co.uk 01728 723789

We’re here to support you

Whether you’ve served for a day or decades, as a Regular or Reserve, we’re here for you and your family with:

Financial assistance

Wellbeing support including counselling

Relationship, family and youth support

Breaks for serving families

MONEY MATTERS

The much speculated upon Budget took place on 26 November, 2025. In this item Mary Petley of the Forces Pension Society outlines the pension-related issues that could matter to you now.

First, it was confirmed that the increase measure to be applied to benefits from 6 April 2026 would be the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 3.8%.

This uplift matters to you because:

• the AFPS 05 pension award is calculated using the best consecutive 365 days’ pay in the last three years, with the two earliest years increased by CPI. This helps protect the member when inflation is high and pay awards are low.

• the AFPS 05 Early Departure Payment (EDP) scheme is based on the pension calculation.

• CPI is added to EDP payments, stored and applied at age 55.

• AFPS 15 Added Pension which has already been purchased increases by CPI each year.

• CPI increases build up (for all AFPSs) from the time you leave the Armed Forces, and this applies whether your pension is paid immediately or preserved/deferred until you are old enough to draw it. For AFPS 75, they are stored until age 55 when they are applied automatically to the original pension award.

• CPI increases can be paid early (for all schemes) if the pension is an invaliding pension. For AFPS 75 members, this would also happen if you are unable to work full-time due to a mental or physical disability which is deemed will continue until your preserved/deferred pension age, and your pension is either in payment or paid early due to your condition. In the event of your death, family benefits are index linked immediately for all schemes.

Next, although we appreciate that most of you are nowhere near State Pension Age, some of you will want to know what’s happening to the State Pension. Using the ‘Triple Lock’ formula, it was confirmed that the full new State Pension entitlement is to rise by 4.8% to £241.30per

week (£12,547.60 per year) from 6 April 2026.

Many people were anxious that there would be implications for pension commencement lump sum or the Lump Sum Allowance (LSA). We are pleased to confirm that the LSA will remain at £268,275.

The Chancellor announced a change to State Pension rules which could affect those of you who are planning to emigrate. From 6 April 2026, their eligibility to purchase Class 2 NICs will be withdrawn and those wishing to pay voluntary contributions to top up their State Pension will be required to purchase the more expensive Class 3 NICs.

If you are a Member of the Forces Pension Society and have pensionrelated questions, please contact us via ‘Submit a Question’ in the Members’ area on the website.

Finally, the Chancellor’s plans to cap Salary Sacrifice from April 2029 will not affect your AFPS pension or the amount that you can purchase by way of Added Pension.

If you are not a Member but would like to learn more about us, visit www. forcespensionsociety.org.

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State Boarding in Surrey

YEARS 7, 9 AND 12 BOARDING PLACES AVAILABLE

‘Students thrive and make excellent progress because of the genuine and nurturing relationships they have with boarding staff’. OFSTED BOARDING INSPECTION REPORT 2024

MAKING HOME OWNERSHIP WORK FOR RAF FAMILIES:

Why Specialist Support Matters

By | Graham Salloway, Founder PFL Mortgages

For many serving personnel and their families, the idea of buying a home can feel frustratingly out of reach. Between frequent postings, deployments, and the realities of Service Family Accommodation, stepping onto the property ladder often feels complicated – even impossible. Yet I’ve seen first-hand that home ownership is achievable, and it can be genuinely life changing. The key is having the right information and the right support at the right time.

Why This Matters

If you’re living in SFA or SLA, you may already be wondering where to begin. The Forces Help to Buy (FHTB) scheme is a fantastic starting point, offering an interest-free loan to help with deposits and other upfront costs. But navigating lenders, paperwork, complex pay structures and BFPO addresses can make the process feel daunting.

That’s precisely why specialist advice exists. When you work with someone who understands the realities of military life –the shift patterns, the deployments, the last-minute changes –the process becomes less stressful and much more achievable.

Understanding the Challenges

Military families face hurdles that many civilians simply don’t encounter. Proving income can be more complex. Finding time for appointments can be difficult. Planning for the future while balancing the uncertainty of the service environment can be overwhelming.

It was recognising these challenges that led me to create PFL Mortgages. As the father of a serving member of the

RAF based at Brize Norton, I’ve seen the pressures families face. That’s why I built a family-run team with the lived experience and empathy to genuinely support RAF personnel and their loved ones.

We’re now looking to expand that connection even further by recruiting an RAF spouse as an adviser based at Brize Norton. And because community matters, for every mortgage we complete for a serving member or their family, we donate £50 to SSAFA – supporting the wider forces community that does so much for all of us.

What Support Looks Like

When families come to us, they often tell me they simply want someone who “gets it.” That’s what we focus on delivering. Our support typically includes:

Clear, step-by-step guidance on affordability, deposits and monthly costs.

Support with Forces Help to Buy applications and checking eligibility early.

Advice around BFPO addresses, varied pay structures and buying to let until you leave service.

Flexible appointments around shifts, night flying, deployments and family life – including evenings and weekends.

Recommendations for solicitors who understand FHTB and won’t charge extra for the additional legal work.

Communication in whatever format suits you – phone, video, email or messaging apps.

Why It Works

The biggest thing I hear from families is that they feel relieved once they understand their options. When someone can explain everything in plain English, keep things moving during a deployment, or direct you towards lenders who understand the Forces Help to Buy scheme, it makes an enormous difference.

Owning a home while serving isn’t always straightforward. But with specialist guidance, it is absolutely within reach.

Thinking About Buying? Start Here

If buying a home is on your radar for 2026, the best thing you can do right now is start planning. An early conversation can help you understand what you’ll need, how Forces Help to Buy could work for you and what’s realistic based on your circumstances.

Even if you’re not quite ready, getting advice now puts you in a much stronger position later on. Home ownership can give your family stability and security – and with the right support, you can get there with confidence.

“Where natural talent becomes international achievement....”

Game-changing education . . .

Imagine a school like this. Imagine learning to swim by age six and flying a plane you’ve built by hand at sixteen. Imagine a place where every child feels secure, supported and inspired, no matter where in the world their parents are posted. A place where tradition meets transformation, exams are only the beginning, and every moment is memorymaking, future-building, life-shaping.

At Strathallan, we understand the anxieties of separation, the challenges of change and the pressures of military life. Our sector-leading pastoral care includes a dedicated team that specialises in supporting children from military families, ensuring they thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

Set on a safe, 153-acre rural campus around an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow, Strathallan has been delivering game-changing education for over 100 years. With A-Levels, Highers and Advanced Highers, over 80 co-curricular activities and £22m invested in facilities, this is a home-from-home where ambition is nurtured and confidence grows.

Introducing CEA+10

We guarantee that families in receipt of the Continuity of Education Allowance pay only 10% of the full boarding fee total.

Strathallan School – where stability, opportunity and belonging go hand in hand.

Find out more by arranging a visit today:

www.strathallan.co.uk/visit-us

Holiday Provision pilot for RAF families

The RAF Benevolent Fund has confirmed that its new Holiday Provision, piloted in summer 2025, will be extended and expanded across more RAF units in 2026 after receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from stations and families.

The pilot, developed in response to a growing need identified by the RAF’s People and Families team, and colleagues across RAF units, helped serving personnel and their families access affordable, high-quality activities during the school holidays. Five RAF stations took part in the initial programme - Odiham, Valley, Lossiemouth, Coningsby and High Wycombe. Across these locations, 255 children from 139 families were supported, using a range of local, flexible provision.

At RAF Odiham, the Kings Camp programme benefitted 42 children from RAF families. A £5,000 grant from the RAF Benevolent Fund eased the financial burden on RAF families, making the two-week programme more accessible to those who might otherwise have struggled to afford this during the holidays.

The funding supported increased social engagement, improved mental wellbeing and stronger family relationships. Parents reported reduced stress, better routines for children and more opportunities to connect with other families on station. The provision was particularly valuable for families experiencing deployment, limited local support networks, or financial pressure.

Feedback gathered from participating families across the pilot demonstrated its impact:

• 86% said they would have found it difficult or impossible to arrange holiday childcare without the programme

• 90% said it made them feel more supported by the RAF

• 88% said it helped them perform their roles more effectively

Importantly, the provision also contributed to improved financial resilience for families and supported continued employment for partners and spouses during the school holidays.

Following this success, the RAF Benevolent Fund will increase the provision in 2026, extending it across other RAF stations – as well as the inclusion of an overseas unit. This expansion is expected to support a significantly greater number of RAF families and further strengthen wellbeing across the serving

For more information about the work the RAF Benevolent Fund do, visit www.rafbf.org

Why We Wear Purple

24 April. Mark your calendars. Look through your wardrobe or treat yourself to a new piece of purple clothing. But why? So that on 24 April, any military connected child across the UK looks around them and sees a sea of people wearing purple, for them. Naomi, whose dad serves in the RAF, says it best - thank you for showing respect for what it means to be a military child. Being a military child isn’t something that they chose, it was a life that they were born or brought into. They may face challenges and opportunities, ups and downs, highs and lows, and everything in between, but this is our opportunity to recognise their unique experience as a military child. Month of the Military Child (MotMC) is also a (dedicated) time to allow them to share what being a military child means to them. This year, for the Never Such Innocence (NSI) Month of the Military Child Poetry and Art Competition, we are inviting military connected children to explore the theme: Winds of Change. We know that military life can bring changeboth big and small, for children, their friends and families. We look forward to seeing these responses come to life through poetry and art. For each and every participant in the competition, they will receive a personalised hard copy certificate. Winners will not only receive a £25 gift card, kindly provided by the Armed Forces Education Trust, but also a special trip to London for an award ceremony, which is sure to be memorable! The winning work will be compiled into a digital booklet and also displayed at the Main Building of the

Ministry of Defence. Throughout MotMC, we will also be visiting schools and holding creative workshops to inspire entries for the competition. These sessions often involve entire classes, allowing civilian peers to understand how military life ripples through friendships and school communities.

A teacher recently shared, The children had an amazing experience and could share their own emotions about saying goodbye to their military friends. The opportunity to be able to put these big feelings into their own piece was the best feeling for the children. They felt heard and so incredibly proud of who they are.

NSI looks forward to hearing from military connected children across the UK and those currently at overseas stations. Information about how to get involved with Month of the Military Child can be found at: www.neversuchinnocence. com/month-of-the-military-child. We can’t wait to see people wearing purple at every turn on 24 April!

OVERSEAS AND IN NEED OF SOME PARENTING SUPPORT?

Online learning: free courses and resources for all families.

Plus, specialist emotional and mental health learning for teenagers.

Did you know, there are courses for Armed Forces parents overseas designed to increase emotional health support for families overseas. The NHS has partnered with SSAFA to deliver these courses, designed to support families at every stage of their child’s development, decode their behaviours and foster nurturing relationships.

SSAFA Community Health, in partnership with the Solihull Approach, offers free access to Togetherness evidence-based online courses expertly designed by NHS professionals.

Sign up for FREE to better understand your child’s feelings and behaviour and raise them to be emotionally aware, sociable and confident. Courses are tailored for all stages of a child’s development to help all family members through reflective, supportive learning without judgment.

Become a more confident parent by learning about child brain development, challenging behaviour, communication and your own wellbeing needs because parenting is a journey that is always changing!

For parents and carers

Learn about your child’s development with free online pathways for parents and carers, and build your confidence in parenting. The pathways cover the stages of a child’s development, and they offer helpful advice and ideas from other parents and NHS professionals.

The courses are for you if you are interested in betterunderstanding children’s feelings and how to nurture positive mental health or if you are perhaps worried about challenging behaviour.

For more details, and to sign up, visit www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/ssafa-community-healthoverseas/free-courses-for-parents/

CEA+10%

Proud to support the families and children of HM Forces personnel. 20% fee discount for non-CEA recipients. Co-educational boarding and day for pupils aged 11-18. www.shiplake.org.uk/militaryfamilies

Outstanding State Boarding in West Sussex

• Affordable excellence

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Forces Families pay no more than 10%*

• Inclusive education in the heart of Sussex

• Year 7 to Sixth Form entry

• Exceptional boarding facilities with easy access to London airports

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• Access to No.22 Platoon - Steyning. Sussex Army Cadet Force

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The Art of Divorce Navigating the emotional fallout of separation – and finding the strength to rebuild.

By | Christine Paterson-Deacon

Dealing with the aftermath of divorce or a separation can be truly devastating. I speak from my own experience having been through a divorce 11 years ago. My husband and I had met whilst serving in the RAF and were together for 12 years, married for 8, before the relationship broke down. I considered myself to be a strong, resilient and adaptable person, able to cope with most of life’s up and downs and always there to help others with theirs, but the day my marriage ended, my life imploded and I just froze. Everything happened in slow motion with episodes of chaotic drama, high emotion and deep lows; the man I married had gone, as had my sense of security and my future dreams.

Around 50% of the UK population are married or in a civil partnership and current statistics show that 42% of marriages may end in divorce. Whilst the MoD does not record figures specific to the armed services, it is believed that the divorce rate in the military is approximately the same with some variation across the services.

There are so many reasons why a relationship may break down, and often these are issues that have built up over a period of time; couples grow apart, communication breaks down, an infidelity occurs, there are financial pressures, a prolonged lack of intimacy, patterns of abusive or controlling behaviour, substance abuse or indeed a combination of any or all of these and others. In my case, there had been several outside pressures that had contributed to our breakdown, we had co-existed, struggling through, both on separate emotional paths until we just ran out of path. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and as an observer 11 years on, I can now recognise that when one person has checked out of a relationship, it’s very difficult to rebuild and repair. The shock and range of emotions that follow this realisation are traumatic, overwhelming, emotional and exhausting. Friends and family will rally but sometimes their closeness to the situation and their care and love for you can be just as overwhelming and possibly even add fuel to the fire. Making the right choices for how you move forward is key.

So often, those going through a divorce rely heavily

on their legal team, not just for their professional input but as someone who they can pour their heart out to. I know because this is exactly what I did. I was lucky enough to have an extremely supportive solicitor, but the reality was that they also became an extremely expensive counsellor.

As a Breakup and Divorce Coach, I work with individuals to provide them with emotional support and practical help. I work with clients at various stages of a breakup; when they are considering a divorce, dealing with a divorce or trying to recover from their divorce. As a professionally accredited coach with military experience, I also understand the unique pressures that affect service personnel, the operational tempo, prolonged separation, isolation from friends and family as well as the difficulties of living within the goldfish bowl of the service environment.

If I had known about the professional help that a Breakup and Support Coach could offer, I would have been better prepared, more able to make clear decisions and supported emotionally at a time when I struggled to open the curtains and set foot outside the house. It’s never weak to ask for help, though I fully appreciate reaching out can be hard. There is a sense of failure, shame and guilt that permeate the breakdown of a relationship, but navigating these emotions, having someone help you to move forward with clarity and ensuring that you are in a better position to regain some control in your life, can make all the difference. Here I am, 11 years on a different woman. I worked through my baggage, I took time to understand who I am and what I want from life, and I love being able to help others do the same. Divorce is not pretty and it’s not easy, but you can reset, rebuild your dreams and you can recover. The art of divorce is to face your fears and move forward and if you need help to do that, then take it.

Christine is an accredited Breakup and Divorce Coach who helps people find clarity and confidence through every stage of separation. Drawing on a diverse background in architecture, teaching and military service, she brings creativity, resilience and lived experience to her work. Now based in rural Devon, she combines coaching with smallholding and painting, supporting clients to rebuild their lives with renewed purpose and hope. Learn more about her work at: www.christinepatersondeacon.com

Christine is supporting the RAF Association's Women's Wellbeing Network with a webinar on Supporting Healthy Relationships Through the Demands of Service Life on 14 May (12301330). The session will explore how the unique pressures of service life can affect couples and families; emotionally, physically, and sometimes financially. It offers practical tools to build resilience and highlights the importance of seeking support when needed.

To find out more and register your place, visit rafa.org.uk/ or call 0800 018 2361

Opportunity follows

A Bristol school with a global reputation, for girls aged 3-18

Fees for CEA recipients:

Prep Boarding - £908 per term

Senior Boarding - £1,171 per term

Whole School Open Morning

Friday 1 May 2026

Navigating NHS Dental Care as a Service Family

By | Caz Evans, Health Specialist RAF Families Federation

We are regularly contacted by RAF families seeking NHS dental care as they move around the UK and back from overseas assignments. You have told us that access to dental care can feel like another logistical challenge in a life shaped by mobility, frequent moves mean continuity of care is often disrupted, and the system does not always flex easily around service life. We have liaised with the NHS and MOD to improve information and guidance about access to NHS dental care for service families in a landscape where challenges exist in provision for both civilian and military populations.

In England, one of the biggest misunderstandings around NHS dentistry is registration. Unlike GP services, dental practices do not formally register patients. Instead, care is provided as a “course of treatment,” after which the practice has no obligation to retain the patient. While many dentists aim to recall patients routinely, limited NHS contracts mean access can be difficult for everyone, not just military families. Some practices operate under “child-only” NHS contracts, providing NHS care for children but not adults. This can be particularly challenging for dual-serving parents who must receive dental care on base and cannot register privately. In these cases, families are advised to explain their military status and reference the Armed Forces Covenant, which seeks to prevent disadvantage due to service life.

Local NHS Integrated Care Boards can offer support if problems arise. Experiences can differ sharply between

overseas postings and life back in the UK. Abroad, Defence Primary Healthcare Clinics are often resourced to treat families as well as serving personnel. In the UK, however, Defence Dental Services focus solely on serving members, meaning families must access NHS or private dentistry locally.

Dental recall intervals within the NHS are clinically determined and can range from three months to two years. Routine care, including a scale and polish, is covered under NHS Band 1 charges, while hygienist appointments are usually private. Preventive care for children - such as fluoride varnish- is prioritised under recent dental contract reforms.

Orthodontic care presents its own challenges, as treatment often spans several years. NHS orthodontists can take on patients who move within the UK or return from overseas, provided NHS eligibility criteria are met. Clear referral information is key to preserving a child’s place on waiting lists. Treatment started abroad may need reassessment to ensure it meets UK clinical standards.

In England, a dedicated Single Point of Contact helps Armed Forces families navigate healthcare transitions, offering advice and signposting during relocations. Meanwhile, devolved systems mean arrangements differ in Wales and Scotland. In Wales, for example, access to NHS dentistry is managed through a Dental Access Portal designed to ensure fair access for all.

For service families, dental care shouldn’t feel like a constant restart. Clear guidance, better coordination, and informed advocacy remain essential to making the system workwherever duty takes you.

For the full and comprehensive guidance and FAQ’s please visit the Families Hub at https://bit.ly/4r63z7f and for further details, visit https://www.raf-ff.org.uk/health/dental-care/ If you would like to share your experience of obtaining dentistry or orthodontic treatment as a mobile family, or you would like support with access to services www.raf-ff.org.uk/contact

#GreatStoriesBeginatHazlegrove

‘Boarding lies at the heart of this Somerset School’ - Tatler Schools Guide BOOK YOUR SCHOOL VISIT TODAY

Carry on coding

5 Follow the rest of the Code Club project here: rpf.io/space-talk, ﬁnd out how to add sounds, add more sprites, and get your characters to use sign language and change colour!

Want to learn more?

Code Club is a part of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, an educational charity supporting young people globally with computing and digital technologies. Code Clubs are free and held in various locations like schools and libraries. Discover clubs near you and more coding projects at rpf.io/start-coding

THE SUPERPOWER

and brokenness, and, despite loving my role and feeling the privilege of being invited into people’s worlds like I am, it’s tough. It’s tough, because when we hear of someone in suffering or pain we want to make things better.

The desire to make things better isn’t superhuman, it is hard wired into our everyday humanity. A stone in your shoe, take it out. A grazed knee, comfort and put a magic plaster on. A headache, a painkiller. But when it comes to someone sharing something difficult, uncomfortable or painful with us what do we do? You’d think I’d want the superpower to be able to take away other people’s pain.

must be able to stop their pain’ etc…and to instead, as it were,

Indulge me if you will. There’s is a story in the Bible about a guy who loses everything. It’s pretty depressing. He does the modern-day equivalent of sitting in his lounge pants, curtains drawn, ignoring messages, ordering takeaways and zoning out into a box set. His mates hear of what’s happened and rock up at his, don the loungewear and sit in the darkened, slightly odorous, messy room…in silence…for SEVEN DAYS!

They do this, because there are no words. No words can be used to describe or contain the pain. And no words can sooth the pain. What they CAN do, is be in the pit with him. For me, that is a superpower! The ability to sit with someone, to share vulnerability, to connect and not try to fix. To acknowledge and not try to ignore or eradicate the sadness.

Are you in a pit…is someone you know in need of company in their pit…you don’t need a cape to show your superpower… you only need to be there.

If you, or anyone you know needs more company in their pit give your local Padre, SSAFA or the personnel team a shout.

a bedtime routine like Whirby which helps me feel ready for the day!

William, aged 8

I love Robots! I like that he found a new algorithm to recharge and be ready for the next day. Of course he won the battle when he was fully recharged!

we asked RAF youngsters to tell us what by Jacob Souva & Harper Collins, hardback £14.99.

battery up like his teacher told him to.

Fleur, aged, 6

I really liked the book because it showed me robots are cool. It was a long book but I loved it and it explained why sleep is important and keeps us healthy. My favourite part was when Whirby fell asleep BWOMP ! It was very calming and relaxing reading it together with mommy and daddy and I would like to read it again.

Take part in Reading Force

We post you books to share and chat about. We’ll send a scrapbook and book for children aged 0-10, and a teen journal and book for young people aged 11+. Families say doing Reading Force is a good way to stay close, connected, and to keep communicating. Best of all, it’s fun!

To receive your free teen journal or scrapbook and book go to the family page on the Reading Force website and register online: www.readingforce.org.uk

If your children would like to review books for this Envoy & Reading Force Book Corner, please get in touch with Hattie - hattie@readingforce.org.uk - with your children’s names and ages.

William

2026 is the National Year of Reading

GO ALL IN WITH READING FORCE!

We all know reading makes your world bigger, makes you smarter, and fuels your creativity. But did you know a study has proven that just SIX minutes of reading can reduce your stress level by 68%? This is because it lowers your breathing rate and reduces muscle tension. Reading also increases your empathy and compassion. Wow!

Despite these benefits, in the face of busy lives and distracting screens, fewer of us are making time for it. But 2026 is the National Year of Reading, reminding all of us to Go All In and get back into reading.

If you’re into it, read into it. And we’re here to help you do just that!

At Reading Force, we don’t just encourage children & young people to read, we encourage them to chat about books with parents/carers and the wider family. And if you want to, complete one of our special resources – a scrapbook or a teen journal. We’ll help you Go All In with our FREE books and resources for military children. You can take part when you’re at home together, or when a loved one is deployed. It’s up to you.

“It’s so lovely to share the stories and to talk about them. They are wonderful books.” RF participating family

Why do it? Because sharing and chatting about books –whether you loved or hated a book, is fun, bonding, and a great excuse for a conversation. Families often tell us they start talking about a book and before they know it are having good chats about other things.

We’re inviting you to request your free books! Simply go onto our website, request your books and resources and we’ll post them to your home.

We are tri-service, and welcome children & young people aged 0-18, who are from serving, veteran, bereaved, and divorced forces families. We have books for dyslexic readers too. We would love you to get involved – whether you’re new to Reading Force or have taken part before, Go All In.

Adults… You too can Go All In with our amazing book clubs! Each book club member will receive three free books to keep! Volunteer coordinators will be supported by Nicola to set up and run their book club. Books can be posted to overseas locations using the BFPO system.

"We laughed nonstop throughout the first meeting which was lovely, we've also had some members that haven't read books for years and have devoured the first book already." RF Book Club Coordinator

To find out more about setting up a book club - email nicola@ readingforce.org.uk, call 07519 665410, or visit our website. To request your free books and resources go to: www.readingforce.org.uk