C o m m u n i t y
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t can be enormously hard for children to understand why Daddy (or Mummy) cannot be there to
read a story at bedtime. It is perhaps the time when they most need most comfort and reassurance.
Six years ago the Prison Service came up with Storybook Dads a scheme created to keep prisoners and their families in touch. The initiative was seen as an ideal way for children of deployed Service personnel to keep in touch with their children also. Now the RAF has given the RAF Association the task of putting it into action with their launch of Storybook Wings.
The scheme allows deployed personnel to read their children’s favourite stories and send it to them on CD. Editing staff provide that professional touch, removing any background noise or mistakes and adding music and sound effects to make it a truly special experience for their children.
For the Service personnel who have taken part in the Army scheme, Storybook Soldier
the experience was quite surreal. In a BBC interview Kirsty Alderson, an ex-Army officer said, "You have to be quite sensitive when they are making their recordings," she smiled. "You see these people – mainly men – day- to-day and well, they are people who do
when they're reading the stories I think it really hits home exactly what they are about to do – and it’s hard for them."
Launching across the Air Force RAF Community Support have selected the first Stations to take part in the project. Participating units are: Benson, Cottesmore, Leeming, Leuchars, Lossiemouth, Marham, Lyneham, Henlow, Wittering, Kinloss, Honington and Akrotiri.
As RAFA build up the scheme they are on the lookout for volunteer editors with basic IT skills; an active e-mail account; enthusiasm and good listening skills; creativity and dramatic skills and who are willing to attend a 2 day training course; be available for a minimum of six months and be able to commit at least one day per week to the project.
a tough job, and yet here they are reading fairy tales in a cupboard! "You have to be sensitive too, because it is a real insight into their private lives and into their relationship with their child, which is very personal. "Also,
For further details contact the Project Officer on 0116 268 8754.
‘to return absent parents to their children's bedsides for just a few minutes each evening’
…providing comfort and support when we face issues that weigh us down.
he Chaplaincies of the 3 Services have backed an initiative from United Christian Broadcasters
(UCB) to establish a ‘Forces Prayerline’. Launched on 6th November 2008 the Prayerline is for any member of the Forces community including spouses, mums and dads who would like personal prayer for themselves, for family or friends.
If you’re going through tough times, if a loved one is ill, if your spouse is about to be, or is deployed on operations or you’re simply worried about the future, the Forces Prayerline may be just the support and encouragement you need.
The service is free and will be manned by trained volunteers from across the UK. Just phoning 0845 26 37 223 will connect you to a trained volunteer who will listen, provide
36 Winter 2008
Prayer Can Be a ‘Power Tool’ T
encouragement and pray for you there and then.
The line is initially open 7 days a week, during the day and in the evening. It’s not a counselling or advice service, although volunteers will be able to provide contact details for other welfare services or put you in touch with a local chaplain if you wish and is confidential.
UCB have been running a prayerline in the UK and Ireland for several years, which now receives tens of thousands of calls per year. The RAF Chaplains Branch is keen to commend the extension of this prayer initiative. Padre Keith Bretel said “This initiative is another example of the Christian Church showing that despite so called ‘lack of religious relevance’ in people’s lives, prayer can be a ‘power tool’ in dealing with, unusual, normal and abnormal
circumstances. It’s about bringing in all our resources to the issues facing us today.”
Of course, individuals can say their own prayers to God at any time, at home, on operations, in Service chapels and elsewhere, but the Forces Prayerline will provide valuable extra help!
www.raf-families-federation.org.uk
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