EDITOR/DIRECTOR
EDITOR’S words I
hope you enjoy the Autumn edition of Envoy. As always, please keep in touch with us for new article ideas. At time of going to press, I’d heard the sad news of Buster, the famous RAF sniffer
dog passing away. Having been mid-way through reading the book, ‘Buster’, it stopped me in thought to his handler – RAF Police Flight Sergeant Will Barrow and family. A truly special partnership.
Y
our Federation continues to be busy, with a host of different issues and events occupying us to the full. We’ve been
to as many Families Days as we can manage – at the end of July we attended six over two days, which extended us pretty much to the limit! As a relatively small team of 11, we continue to visit Main Operating Bases, smaller units, Reserve units, brief assorted courses and seminars, and attend meetings on issues ranging from DWP Benefits to RAF Association Welfare strategy. But it’s the unit Families Days that the Team enjoy most – getting out and meeting RAF personnel and their families, talking about what we do and what you want us to do and capturing your issues and concerns in the process.
I’d like to take a moment just to say publicly “Thank you” to the whole Federation Team for their hard work and commitment to the cause at such a busy time; often involving long hours and weekends. You are a great bunch and your efforts are much appreciated… now get back to work.
I’ll sign off with a suggestion to sign up to our eBulletin online by going towww.raf-
ff.org.uk/envoy-enquiry.asp – we’ll keep you up-to-date with not only Federation activity but also news stories of interest to RAF Serving personnel and families.
Caroline Woodward From the Director
The next big event is my motorcycle trip to the Alps… actually it’s really our meeting with the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) to discuss not just pay but quality of life in the round. Given the very disappointing (to be polite) budget announcement that Public Sector pay increases are to be capped at 1% a year for a further 4 years, many may think this is a pretty pointless exercise. But it’s probably more important than ever that the AFPRB is able to reflect in their Report the stresses and strains that pay restraint is causing our people, not to mention the accompanying impact that so many other changes are having.
For example, our recent survey into childcare provision showed clearly how fast prices are rising in some regions, hitting families in the pocket and providing a real challenge in juggling both Service and spouses careers against income and against costs. If collectively we don’t get the message across,
Just because summer is drawing to a close, it does not mean the pace slackens. If you have an event coming up that you would like us to attend, please get in touch sooner rather than later – the diary fills up fast!
then the government will think everything is OK and that you are all managing fine. Some of you may well be managing fine but many others are not and are having to tighten their belts still more.
We know some are also querying their long term commitment to the Service. So it’s important that we provide a voice to your views: The RAF is under-resourced right now but is busier than ever; so recruitment and retention is a big issue. The quality of Service life and the morale of families is an incredibly important factor and you deserve to be listened to.
Why YOU should contact the Federation T 4
he RAF Families Federation is funded by the RAF but sits outside the Chain of Command as an independent organisation. We represent all RAF personnel, be they Regular, Reserve, single, married
or in a partnership, together with their families. We provide a voice for the issues and concerns you have about life in the RAF, and we have direct access to senior RAF and MoD staffs as well as Government Ministers.
To do all this, we need to hear from you on issues such as quality of life, accommodation, health, education, pay and allowances. Everyone's views and concerns are important to us.
Envoy Autumn 2015
Key things to remember: • We work with the RAF/MoD and not against them • We don’t undermine the chain of command; we work with them but we will dig them in the ribs on your behalf when necessary
• We will signpost you to the ‘best’ experts to help you if required • We always maintain your anonymity and respect your privacy • We always maintain a fair and balanced approach
Help us to continue to share the message • Contact us:
raf-ff.org.uk • Telephone 01780 781650 or email
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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