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C o m m u n i t y C o n t a c t H o u s e s f o r t h e R A F


The Royal Air Forces Association has been developing new welfare projects with the RAF. One of the most popular is assisting RAF Stations with brightening up their Contact Houses. Tricia Freer, RAFA’s Director of Welfare explains.


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tations can now apply to RAFA for grants of up to £5,000 to upgrade their Contact House. Te success of the project


we believe is its simplicity. Tere are no laborious process to go through, or long waits for a decision to be made just a simple form setting out your requirements and costs.To date RAFA have assisted 23 Contact Houses and there are still applications coming in.


WHAT THE GRANTS FUND


If you are considering applying for a grant, examples of projects for our funds are: refurbishment of lounges, dining rooms, bedrooms, provision of TVs, DVD players, sound systems, furniture, white goods, toys, games, soft furnishings.


Unfortunately we cannot fund building work, major works or extensions as the MOD has responsibility for these. Our grants are aimed to complement what is already provided by the MOD. One RAFA Branch did, however, fund a garden refurbishment for 5 contact flats at RAF Lossiemouth. This included swings, a play area, BBQ, disabled access, planting, new paths and a general make-over. These communal gardens were officially opened by Air Marshal Philip Sturley, the RAFA President at the end of last year.


RAFA BRANCHES


The funds for Contact Houses come from either RAFA Central Headquarters or RAFA Branches who donate funds for their local Station. Branches are always pleased to support the RAF.


INTERESTED? If you are interested in applying for a grant or would like more details


please contact the CHQ Welfare Team at RAFA on 0116 2688754 and ask for the Welfare Manager.


RAF FAMILIES FEDERATION CHAIRMAN OPENS CONTACT FLATS AT CONINGSBY


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oningsby has opened newly refurbished accommodation to enable estranged/separated service personnel to spend


time with their families giving space to allow a relaxed and meaningful visit together. The Station is grateful to the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) who contributed £9k to the project.


Chairman of the RAF Families Federation, Dawn McCafferty, was invited to open the Middlesex Suite apartments. She said: “I think it’s a fantastic facility, which will allow family members to spend quality time together and RAFA are delighted to have been part of this project.”


Station Commander, Group Captain Stuart Atha, thanked everyone responsible for the refurbishment and added: “A lot of people have worked very hard to transform our run-down barrack block into what is an excellent living space. I am delighted that Dawn McCafferty from the Families Federation was able to open this facility and highlight the superb work of the Federation and indeed the RAFA whose financial contribution to this project was significant and much appreciated.”


On showing young guests into the new flats for the first time, Community Development Officer, Miss Rebecca Wakefield noted their verdict – “WOW!” 


Strengthen Your Marriage S


quadron Leader Ron Salmon and Rev (Sqn Ldr) Paul Mellor, supported by their wives Annette and Claire, have


just finished running a second marriage enrichment course at Lyneham. Both proved to be a great success, with couples benefiting from talks and exercises.


WHO IS IT FOR?


The Marriage Course is for any married couple who want to invest in their relationship. It doesn’t matter whether they’ve been living together for less than two years or more than thirty. If they have a strong marriage, this course helps to make it even better and to reinforce good habits. If a relationship is in difficulty, however, the Marriage Course provides a set of very practical tools to help couples work through the issues.


WHY MARRIAGE IS LIKE YOUR CAR One male participant of the course, wrote: “I was


very reluctant to attend the course. Like most other people, including me, the idea of attending a course on marriage seems tantamount to acknowledging that your marriage is in difficulty. But actually, it’s just realising that your relationship needs maintenance. You wouldn’t buy a car, and then just run it until it breaks, would you? You have to maintain it, if you want it to last. So why do most of us not get regular maintenance for our relationships?”


WHAT DOES THE COURSE ENTAIL? Each week, couples are given the opportunity to enjoy a special meal together and listen to a talk. Then there is plenty of time to discuss the topic as a couple, assisted by exercises in the individual manuals. There is no group work involved at any stage of the course.


The subjects covered by the Course are: � Building Strong Foundations � The Art of Communication


� Resolving Conflict � The Power of Forgiveness � Parents and In-Laws � Good Sex � Love in Action � What Makes a Marriage Work?


The Course is not designed to save failing marriages – that work is left to organisations such as Relate. Instead it’s about preventing failure and about enriching relationships. Every married couple (or man and woman in a long term relationship) should attend The Marriage Course at least once in their life – no matter how strong their relationship.


For more information go to: www. themarriagecourse.org. For help with setting up a course in a military environment, please contact Sqn Ldr Ron Salmon on 01249- 89 (or 95481) 6642 or Padre Paul Mellor on Ext 6248.


Summer 2008 33


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