IN THE WORKPLACE
“Recruits’ families have changed over the years and nowadays there are many more who join the RAF who already have spouses and children. There are all sorts of new concerns for these young families. Moving house away from friends and family into a lifestyle that, let’s face it, is quite different! I have been in this position and had numerous homes, both in the UK and abroad, so I can empathise with these families and their fears. I explain that there is plenty of support there to help you settle in and always lots of friendly, welcoming people to show you the ropes!
“Most of the families I speak to are interested in the support they can expect when, in the future, their loved one is deployed overseas. I can reassure them that the HIVE and Community Support Staff can help in many ways, for example by providing information booklets for families and activity books and charts for children.
“All in all, even though the graduation parade isn’t a big, time-consuming part of RAF Halton HIVE’s working week, it certainly is an important one, and I hope that, what is for many, the first introduction to being part of the RAF family is a truly positive experience.”
Keith Wilson is the HIVE Information Officer at RAF Cranwell, Keith says: “The RAF College Cranwell HIVE is located within a purpose built Community Centre and is co-located with a Starbucks Coffee Shop, volunteer manned shops, elements of the Community Support team and facilities for a number of external welfare organisations.
www.raf-ff.org.uk
“I have been the HIVE Information Officer since Jan 02 and previously served for 40 years in the RAF. Whilst I provide a HIVE service to all that live and work at Cranwell and the surrounding areas, there is a particular focus on delivery of service to officer cadets, trainees and their families.
“Cranwell and its satellites of Barkston Heath and Syerston hosts a multitude of units, housing Phase 1, 2 and 3 students from across the globe, many under international contract arrangements with the MoD.
“Phase 1 can be airmen aircrew or those on Initial Officer Training and for both streams could be transferring from other services, direct entrants or international personnel.
“Following successful graduation personnel may remain on-site for the specialist (Phase 2) aspects of their chosen career path or
relocate to other specialist training units. International students of recent times include those from the Far East, Middle East, Africa and the countries of the Caribbean; those from Trinidad & Tobago really standing out in their highly colourful uniforms on Graduation Day. Previous graduates of the RAFC, which used to be RNAS Daedalus an airship operating station, include Field Marshal Smuts, Lord Trenchard, Lawrence of Arabia, Sir Frank Whittle (Cranwell was the site of the 1st ever jet aircraft flight), Sir Douglas Bader and HRH The Prince of Wales.
“The HIVE provides inputs to all phases and reaches out to its communities, extending that prompt information service to the partners and parents, siblings and grandparents of trainees. This is crucial in ensuring that those on the intensive courses working long hours and often weekends, are not distracted from their studies, hopefully lessening further pressure on the students.
“For Cranwell Phase 1 Officer Cadet Training, the HIO attends Arrivals Sunday, when incoming cadets accompanied by partners or parents receive an introduction to the College. It is a good opportunity to meet with families and establish that, all important, face to face contact. Later in the course a Partners Day takes place, when a full tour of the RAFC resources, meetings with key personalities and a Dining-In Night is held. Between times the HIO operates either through direct contact with individuals or through attendance at the HIVE or the HIO’s Cadet Liaison Committee.
“My role as HIO at Cranwell is hugely diverse and hugely enjoyable.”
Envoy Summer 2013 27
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