An employment support service that also helps military families to improve their health, wellbeing and sense of stability has been given a boost through new funding.
3 (F) Squadron based at Royal Air Force Coningsby return from Op Biloxi and the Air Policing role they have been performing since April 2022.
Based in Romania the Sqn have taken care of the airspace since April and return today to the Lincolnshire base, met by Group Captain Matt Peterson the Station Commander.
Dozens of family members have already been helped through the Families Employment Service, launched by The Poppy Factory in April 2023 in partnership with The Ripple Pond.
Now further funds have been committed by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, which backed the launch, to help deliver the service to the end of September 2026.
It will enable more family members across the UK to access expert one-to-one employment support by phone, email and video call, with the opportunity to connect to a wider support network offering shared experience and understanding.
Last year The Poppy Factory’s Families Employment Specialists helped 91 family members within the Armed Forces community including spouses, ex-partners and children of those who have served. The team supported these family members to start or stay in 46 jobs and 4 voluntary roles.
Three quarters of those helped said their health and wellbeing had improved, 65 per cent felt improved stability and 60 per cent improved their job skills or experience.
Debbie Boughtflower, The Poppy Factory’s Director of Operations, said:
“I’m very grateful to The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust for choosing to get behind Forces families once again. This new funding shows great confidence in a service that they have backed from the outset, which has helped scores of families to build stability in employment while making rewarding new connections. We’re excited to help many more family members make positive changes in the months ahead.”
A spokesperson for The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust said:
“Our Family Focus programme focuses on support for family members of wounded, injured and sick serving personnel or veterans. Centred on building family bonds, greater resilience and for family members to feel that their needs are recognised, this programme has families at its core. The Families Employment Service meets these aims, building upon the success of an initial pilot in 2023, to enable family members to secure and retain meaningful employment despite the challenges they may be facing. We look forward to seeing the positive changes this project will make.”
The Families Employment Service is available to any adult family member supporting or caring for a member of the Armed Forces community who has, or has recovered from, a health condition. This includes ‘chosen family’, separated partners and parents of veterans.
It is suitable for anyone who is unemployed and looking to move into employment, or who has difficulties in their current role because of their circumstances and needs help to keep their job or move to a new one. Self-referrals or referrals on behalf of family members are accepted. For more information visit poppyfactory.org/families
