Contact


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


A Quarterly Magazine for RAF Personnel and their Families Contents


Editor’s words Welcome to our Assistant-Editor Keeping you informed The Federation Overview Why YOU should contact the Federation


In the News ................................................................................................................................. 6 Features


Front Cover: RAF Mini Club Minis with a Mosquito.


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


To have your FREE copy delivered quarterly to your home, email enquiries@raf-ff.org. uk or via our website www.raf-ff.org.uk


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


Director: Bill Mahon


Communications Manager: Caroline Woodward


Communications Assistant: Nick Crouch Evidence Manager: Colin Jones Evidence Assistant: Todd Fellows Evidence Assistant (Housing): Stan Brathwaite Evidence Assistant: Alison Serrell-Cooke Office Manager: Ruth McClelland


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


Design and Typography: © Method Publishing 2015 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 Email: k.tainsh@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.


Red Arrows/Friendship ................................................................................................................ 8 ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’ programme ................................................................................. 12 Introducing The Royal British Legion’s CivvyStreet ...................................................................... 15 RAF Mini Club – Supporting the Battle of Britain ........................................................................ 16


REGULARS Federation


Bringing RAF Reserves into the Families Federation .................................................................... 18 Housing/Accommodation matters .............................................................................................. 20


NEM Snapshot of NEM, The Job Evaluation Process Explained ............................................................ 22


Legal & Financial Wills, Guardianships and Trusts ................................................................................................ 25 First Stop: Family Mediation ...................................................................................................... 26


Covenant Success in Suffolk: Armed Forces Community Covenant .............................................................. 28


Schooling/Education Teachers still think Engineering is a job for the boys, think-tank says. Really? .............................. 30


Health & Wellbeing Sierra Leone: A Personal View ................................................................................................... 32 Living with M.E. ....................................................................................................................... 36 New Organ Donation regulations in Wales ................................................................................ 39 Sight loss support from Blind Veterans UK .................................................................................. 40 Help for Heroes Hidden Wounds ............................................................................................... 43


Family


Cosford’s New Cinema .............................................................................................................. 44 RAFA – supporting serving personnel ........................................................................................ 45


Of interest… Register to Vote online .............................................................................................................. 46 Bletchley Park ........................................................................................................................... 48 Military Wives Choir ................................................................................................................. 50 RAF Cosford Allotments Resurrection ......................................................................................... 52


Housing


What is the JSHAO? .................................................................................................................. 54 Reading


Riveting Reads .......................................................................................................................... 56 Charity Events’ Diary ............................................................................................................................ 57


8 Photographs courtesy of the MoD (unless otherwise stated). www.raf-ff.org.uk Envoy Spring 2015 3


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