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 From the Director Foreword by Lady Nicky Pulford


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


Envoy cover Summer 2015.indd 1 Front Cover: Sgt Keeley Skinner on Welsh x Arab Sidney.


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.


28/05/2015 10:08:06


An independent voice within the Service complaints system ......................................................... 8 High Jump at Hickstead ............................................................................................................. 12


REGULARS Federation


Housing/Accommodation (does) Matter(s) .................................................................................. 16 Welcoming Homes for Service personnel through Annington ...................................................... 17


NEM Snapshot of NEM, The Combined Accommodation Assessment System (CAAS) SFA – UK Explained .....18


Celebrating the Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary Spitfire Auction for Charity and its fascinating story .................................................................... 22 Battle of Britain Heritage Walk – London ................................................................................... 24 A personal story – Ruth Ure ...................................................................................................... 24 Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire ................................................................................................... 25


Partners & Spouses in Business Sew Fun in Cyprus .................................................................................................................... 26 Impressionist Photography ........................................................................................................ 28 Back to work, change job or new career? ................................................................................... 30 Covenant Armed Forces Covenant Explained ............................................................................................. 32


Schooling/Education RAF Cosford Youth Club receives extra funding .......................................................................... 35 ‘Bikesafe’ at RAF Halton ............................................................................................................ 36


Health & Wellbeing Fertility Treatment in the Armed Forces ....................................................................................... 38 Going through a tough time? Find support on Big White Wall .................................................... 43


Family Is your Family Cyber Safe? ......................................................................................................... 44


Competition Prize Champneys Day........................................................................................................................ 46 Of interest…


Navigating welfare benefits, NHS and local council services ....................................................... 49 Bath Spa University Research .................................................................................................... 50


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


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