Commander Stephen Farrington (pictured on the right), the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust’s (RNBT) Chief Executive since 2007, has handed over to Commander Rob Bosshardt. Stephen is retiring following a full naval career initially as a Shipwright and latterly as a Marine Engineer followed by a spell running a 2,000 MW coal fired power station before taking on the RNBT.
Read moreFollow this link for all the latest news from the RAF Families Federation.
Read moreTotal Warrior, the pinnacle of obstacle course racing in the UK, has agreed a new charity partnership with Royal Caledonian Education Trust, Scotland’s armed forces children’s charity.
The extreme event, which promises participants “30 punishing obstacles and one free beer” is returning to Balgone Estate in East Lothian on 16th and 17th September for its third annual Scottish event. This year, the event will work alongside four official charity partners, each of which will aim to raise several thousand pounds for their respective causes.
Read moreWhen a patient registers with your surgery, ask if they have served in the armed forces and Read code them as ‘Military veteran’ on your computer system. There are also Read codes for ‘Member of Military Family’.
Consider whether a patient who attends with a health problem, especially mental health, might be a veteran (or family member) and ask them if they have served in the armed forces or if they are the family member of a service person.
Read moreIt is unlikely that your military health records will completely be in your NHS GP’s records. Tell your GP that you are military veteran.
The Armed Forces Covenant gives military veterans additional rights, but it is not for all health care. The main thing is that the condition needs to have been caused or occurred whilst you were serving. For example Mr Smith developed skin cancer as a consequence of serving overseas for many years – this would be included in this definition. However if Mr Smith required a gall bladder operation, it would be unlikely to be due to military service and he would be treated as a normal NHS patient. If the condition is thought to be due to your time in service, tell your doctor as you may be entitled to a shorter hospital waiting list.
Read moreThe SSVC Forces Welfare Media Team have been busy reporting from schools, playing fields and even from the back of a fire engine.
In Bradford, reporter Dave McCann has been filming veterans from the Skillforce charity who deliver courses to students. He’s also been investigating how the pupil premium works in a school in North Yorkshire.
Read moreSchool children from Portsmouth were treated to a very special day on board one of the Royal Navy’s frontline frigates in Portsmouth Navy Base.
The children, who all have parents who are serving members of the Armed Forces, got an exclusive tour around the Type 23 frigate HMS St Albans, which is nicknamed the ‘Saint’, before she continues her duties as the Fleet Ready Escort for the Royal Navy.
Read moreWhen living independently was starting to be too much for John, he got in touch with the Royal Air Forces Association, to see if there was any support available.
John served in the Royal Air Force from 1970 to 1977. He was an aerospace systems operator and served throughout the UK as well as in Malta, Cyprus and Belgium. After deciding to leave the RAF he moved abroad, instructing and training in Saudi Arabia, before meeting his wife and returning to the UK.
Read moreThrough a brand new programme of work, Samaritans will be offering armed forces staff and their families tailor-made confidential support services round the clock, wherever they are in the world. We are looking for a Project Manager with recent exemplary service in the Armed Forces to work in collaboration with charities, agencies and academics to develop and implement a programme that helps military personnel, veterans and their loved ones identify when someone may need emotional support, and access Samaritans’ services more easily, whether they are in the UK or stationed overseas.
Read moreDo you need advice/help about Learning & Development?
The Learning and Development Advisor (LDA) on the base would like to invite service personnel and their spouses/partners to book a Learning and Development interview (LDI).
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Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here
