EDITOR/DIRECTOR
EDITOR’S words W
elcome to the Winter edition of Envoy. We have some real treats
for you in this issue with some heart-warming and thought- provoking articles to take you through the cold winter months.
We are enormously grateful for all the positive comments we receive about the magazine and in turn we thank all those who contribute. If you would like to see something in the magazine
Good Reading. I From the Director
t’s been another busy period for your Federation: We have continued our programme of unit visits with trips to Valley, Shawbury,
Boulmer and Fylingdales; we have been to numerous MoD meetings in support of the New Employment Model and the Armed Forces Covenant; I’ve met with our new Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare & Veterans, Anna Soubry MP, to talk about some of the issues and concerns you’ve told us about; and I also met with Tomas Docherty MP and the new Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, Vernon Coaker, to talk about their ideas for a Bill of Rights for the military community.
Our regional Armed Forces Covenant Co- ordinators are now firmly established and they are finding some really useful evidence about the application of the Covenant – some of it good, some of it not so good. The key themes that
run throughout are all around communication and understanding, not only about the aims and intent of the Covenant but how it is (and is not) being delivered. We have stressed this in our contribution to the Government’s 2013 Annual Report to Parliament on delivering the Armed Forces Covenant.
In addition, we have run some ‘Quick Surveys’ online – you can find the current survey and the results of others on our website – and dealt with a host of enquiries from individuals about everything from pension entitlements to the Service Pupils Premium and childcare costs. We have also worked with NHS England, the Children Education Advisory Service (CEAS), the Warrior Programme, attended the CAS Warrant Officers Conference at Cranwell and a PTSD Conference in London.
‘So what?’ you might ask. Well, all this contributes to a single aim: To help you – our ‘customers’.
This might be through improving our understanding of what is going on and what’s in the pipeline, or by improving the quality of the evidence we draw from you about the issues that concern you most. We can then apply that evidence to help influence the development of future policy and also to influence external agencies and businesses in the way that they treat you. The bottom line is that the more evidence we have, the more credible and influential we can be on your behalf. So, please help us to help you.
As always, enjoy the magazine. Why Should YOU Contact the Federation? T 4
he RAF Families Federation represents the concerns of RAF personnel and their family members on the
issues that affect them as part of a RAF family.
Your views and concerns are put in front of senior RAF and MoD staffs and direct to Ministers.
Envoy Winter 2013
The Federation is also invited to sit on steering groups where the views of RAF family members are sought. In these ways the Federation can influence change, where it is needed, for the better.
So whether you’re in uniform yourself or a spouse, a partner, a parent, a child or a sibling of a member of the RAF, the Federation is here to act on your behalf.
If you have something you wish to bring to the Federation’s attention, please call and speak to one of the team on 01780 781650 or email:
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk
We operate entirely outside the RAF chain of command, so we can always promise an independent and confidential service. Please remember it is your views that are asked for, not ours!
www.raf-ff.org.uk
then please let us know or if you would like to submit a piece then again please contact us.
Do keep an eye on the website for all the very latest updates from around the RAF. You can of course follow us on Twitter and Facebook or why not sign up to our regular eBULLETIN, which can be done with a few clicks from the website homepage.
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and an inspiring New Year.
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