The Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum (FANDF), a tri-service group for serving personnel, reservists and their families who have a child or adult immediate family member with an additional need or disability, hosted its spring event at the Gordon Messenger Centre in Lympstone.
Supported by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, FANDF hosted its spring event for tri-service families and local professionals, including Chain of Command, Medical Officers and Welfare teams. With a focus on sharing local support insights and providing a non-judgemental forum to ask questions, attendees also had the opportunity to discuss the challenges of caring for a family member with disabilities among others with lived experiences.
After a series of keynote presentations which highlighted the realities of being a family with additional needs and disabilities in the Forces community, attendees were invited to share personal testimonies, reflecting on both the challenges they face and moments of advocacy and genuine connection.
During the day, guests took part in a workshop which focused on three areas; sharing good practice or support that had made a real difference to their family; sharing one thing that could better support their family life and sharing places, activities or top tips that made a real difference to their family.
The days keynote speakers included:
- Cara Stratford from Esteem Team CIC, a not-for-profit organisation that works with children and young people who have additional needs and/or struggle with their mental health.
- Shelley Ellis from Op Hearth, a community-led support network dedicated to improving the wellbeing of military spouses, partners, children and families affected by service-related separation and the unique challenges of military life.
- Dr Claire Lee from Oxford Brooks University who led the recent “Supporting All To Thrive” (SATT) research project funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. The SATT project investigated the educational opportunities, experiences and outcomes of children with additional needs from UK Armed Forces families.
- Bobbie Branson, Neurodiversity Navigator from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines Charity who is pioneering a role which supports and guides serving personnel and their families across the Royal Navy and Royal Marine community.
- Helen Cooper, Team Leader at the Educational Advisory Team UK, a front facing division that sits within the Defence Children’s Services offering support and educational advice for the four education systems in the UK to all serving personnel.
Speaking about the day, Lynne Doherty, SSAFA’s Director of Social Care Operations, said:
“It was an inspirational day, but one that didn’t shy away from the real-life realities. We heard firsthand the resilience and strength shown by families who attended.
“It’s heartbreaking to still be hearing those all too familiar words – ‘I don’t know where to turn, I don’t know what help is available out there.’ Caring for a loved one while also trying to get to grips with military life is not easy and they need to know that support is available to them – support like FANDF – and that’s why workshops like today are really important to our serving community.
“Backed by SSAFA, this service exists to enable families to feel seen, heard and valued – ensuring no one is left to battle alone. FANDF is ready to help by offering practical support through casework, signposting and guidance on navigating this complex world they find themselves in.”
Ellen Chard, Additional Needs and Disability Advisor added:
“These events are crucial for us to directly hear from individual families and their experiences so that we can take that feedback and continue to advocate for them, as well as lobby for policy changes within the system to create a better, more supported future for all military families.”
Serving families, including those in the Reserves, with family members living with disabilities or additional needs who are looking for support, advice, and an understanding ear can learn more about FANDF and join the forum here or search for “SSAFA FANDF”.
