COMMUNITY
posted and operational pressures increased. The new programme is tailored to each station and youngsters can take part in many activities including sport, crafts dance, workshops and drop-in centres. Because Stations now have a dedicated team, if a family is posted we can contact the youth workers at the new duty station and put them in touch. This can help make the move less stressful for the youngsters.”
So what inspires someone to want to work on a RAF unit? We asked Brain Jackson an Airplay Youth Worker who started at Boulmer to answer a few of our questions:
What do you enjoy most about working with young people? “The thought of making a positive difference to someone’s life, regardless of how small it is, is a source of huge personal pride and motivation”.
What particular challenges do RAF children face? “My step father served with the RAF Regiment so I know what it’s like to be a young person
with a serving parent. I think the issues remain largely the same. I can remember the feeling of emptiness whenever he was serving in Northern Ireland during the troubles. I was young and found it hard to come to terms with the fact that he kept going away to a conflict zone for long periods of time.
“There are also the traumas of frequently moving from one station to another, starting new schools, leaving friends behind and making new ones. The levels of education you have are nearly always at a different level and making adjustments is never easy – it can be hard being the new kid with the strange accent. At the same time young people from Service backgrounds often have a broader outlook on life when compared to young people from a non-Service background”.
How does your work fit in with existing youth provision at RAF Boulmer? “There are some excellent activities already at Boulmer like a mums and tots group and the Longhoughton Rangers Youth Football Group but there are areas which I can help
to address. My colleagues at other stations will identify other station-specific areas of need and help to fill in the gaps where they exist”.
How does your work help?
“By being an on-site, qualified youth worker I think I bring passion and commitment to developing a really high standard of activities for young people in the RAF and Longhoughton communities”.
How can people find out more about Youth Worker provision on their station? “It is really easy for young people to identify and communicate with projects wherever they are, through the HIVE, posters, flyers and by approaching members of staff”.
For more information on the Airplay Project visit:
www.rafbf.org/Airplay
For more information on the activities available on your unit contact the Community Development Worker or ask at the HIVE.
WIN TICKETS TO THIS YEAR’S THE ROYAL INTERNATIONAL
T
he aviation event of the year returns to RAF Fairford in
Gloucestershire on the weekend of July 16-17 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of world’s greatest airshow. Te Royal International Air Tattoo is this summer’s No1 family day out, under 16’s go free.
The Royal Air Force’s legendary Red Arrows head a list of spectacular aerobatic display teams alongside fast jets, giant transporters, classic warbirds and helicopters in a thrilling flying and static display.
Tickets for the Air Tattoo, staged in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, are priced at £39.00. To purchase, call the Ticketline on 0800 107 1940 or
visitwww.airtattoo.com. All tickets must be bought in advance.
www.raf-ff.org.uk Envoy Summer 2011 43
Your Chance to Win a pair of Tickets to See the Action The organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo have very kindly offered the RAF FF two pairs of tickets to attend the airshow on Sunday 17th July 11, (worth £78). All you have to do is to find
Bobby the Brave on one of the Federation website pages at:
www.raf-ff.org.uk and answer the question he asks. Click on the link to send your answer, name and contact telephone number. The draw will take place on 6 Jul 11.
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 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56