Contact


Telephone: 01780 781650, email: enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk or via the website www.raf-families-federation.org.uk


S U M M E R 2 0 0 8 A Q u a r t e r l y M a g a z i n e f o r R A F F a m i l i e s A Q u a r t e r l y M a g a z i n e f o r R A F F a m i l i e s Contents


Your Viewsgo before theHouse of Commons Defence Committee


Comfort Zone – A nurse’s thought- provoking account


SCHOOL APPEALS – How to get through the process


Cover Photograph – Prince Charles in his capacity as Air Chief Marshal and Flying Officer William Wales. A Prince is still a father and with two sons in uniform, Prince Charles can empathise with Service families facing the challenges of modern military life.


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


Editor: Ann Dewar RAF Families Federation, 13-15 St Georges Road, Wittering, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE8 6DL 01780 781650


Chairman: Dawn McCafferty Deputy/Office Manager: Chris Taylor Publicity Manager: Ann Dewar Issues / Liaison Team Manager: Jenny Ward Liaison Team Member: Colin Jones Admin Co-ordinator: Julie Goodson


Published quarterly by Method Publishing, a division of Scottish Provincial Press Limited, on behalf of Envoy


Design and Typography: © Method Publishing 2008 Editorial Matter and Illustrations: © Envoy Printed in Great Britain by: Warners Midlands plc


Advertisement Office (UK): Method Publishing, Sutherland Press House, Main Street, Golspie, Sutherland, KW10 6RA Tel: 01408 633871 Fax: 01408 633876


Advertisement Manager: Jeanne Alker: j.alker@methodpublishing.co.uk


Views expressed in Envoy, unless stated otherwise, are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of Envoy, the RAF or the Ministry of Defence.


No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in Envoy can be accepted by the Publishers or Printers and advertisements are accepted on the express condition that the advertiser warrants that they in no way contravene the provisions of The Trades Descriptions Act 1968 nor any other prevailing legislation in the United Kingdom.


The Publishers reserve the right to refuse acceptance of any advertisement without stating a reason.


From the Editor / From the Chairman Foreword by AIR MARSHAL P O STURLEY CB MBE BSc FRAeS


Emerging Issues


Introduction of a Benefits Calculator ......................................................................................................04 Review of the UK’s Reserve Forces .........................................................................................................04 Transfer of SFA in Northern Ireland .........................................................................................................04 RAF Regiment Gunners to receive a Financial Retention Incentive ............................................................04 Government Policy to Improve Access to NHS Dentists ............................................................................04 The Government Pledges Enhanced Commitment Bonus to Service Personnel (OR’s only) from 2009 ........04 ‘A Pound for Your Thoughts’ ..................................................................................................................04 RAFA Balloon Race ................................................................................................................................04 Parental Control of the Internet ..............................................................................................................05 If you are in the Scheme, tell others about the benefits ...........................................................................05 TV Licensing launches webpage for Service Personnel ............................................................................05


Features


A Day in the Life of Air Commodore Barbara Cooper ...............................................................................06 Looking for that Opportunity .................................................................................................................08 Comfort Zone........................................................................................................................................10 Recruit the Man (or woman!), Retain the Family .....................................................................................14


REGULARS


Federation News Service Personnel Command Paper ........................................................................................................16 Meeting with Quentin Davies MP ..........................................................................................................17 Do you know the implications of ticking the ‘No’ box .............................................................................17 The Federation’s new look website ........................................................................................................18 Providing Evidence to the National Audit Office ......................................................................................18


Reader Offers Nursery Fresh Flowers ...........................................................................................................................20 Luxury Dinner Cruise on the Thames ......................................................................................................20 See Conservation in action at Twycross Zoo ...........................................................................................20 Family Holiday Offer from RAFA South East and Eastern Area ..................................................................20 Winners of Spring Offers .......................................................................................................................20


Education Matters School Admissions and Appeals ............................................................................................................22 Housing


Is this the Worst Job in NATO? ...............................................................................................................24 The Modernisation of RAF Single Living Accommodation ........................................................................25


Your Health


Allergies ...............................................................................................................................................26 Taking small steps towards regular activity .............................................................................................27


Your Money


The Tax Man Taketh Away and The Tax Man Giveth ...............................................................................28 How to ride the credit crunch ................................................................................................................29


The RAF Families Federation is an independent organisation managed by The RAF Association (RAFA). Patron: Her Majesty the Queen Registered Charity Number 226686 Scottish Charity Number SCO37673


In the Workplace The RAF Transformation Programme – What is it? ..................................................................................30


Community


Adoption ..............................................................................................................................................32 Contact Houses for the RAF ...................................................................................................................33 Strengthen Your Marriage ......................................................................................................................33 Postbag .............................................................................................................................................................36


Summer 2008 1


FREE COPY TO TAKE HOME


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48