Overview
What is the Federation there for?
The RAF Families Federation has been set up to provide an independent voice for RAF personnel and their families on issues of concern to them. The team gathers the information necessary to represent the views to senior RAF staffs and Ministers with the express aim of influencing and shaping future policy. This supplements similar work undertaken by the Army and RN on behalf of their families. How does it Work? Using the HIVE Information Centres and Unit welfare staff and working closely with SSAFA-Forces Help staff and established community workers, the Federation contributes to community support by providing two-way communication between the RAF and its families. The FF conducts regular visits to RAF units. RAF personnel and families are kept informed of Federation activities via a dedicated interactive Internet website and Federation magazine, Envoy and through articles published in other Service publications. Are My Family and I Represented by the Federation? Anyone serving in the RAF together with their respective partner, spouse and/or dependent children is part of the RAF family, whether serving accompanied or not. Parents and close relatives by blood or marriage/civil registration are also welcome to approach the Federation. Anyone whose lives are directly affected by the fact that a family member is serving in the RAF are part of the extended RAF family and therefore entitled to be represented by the Federation. How Does the Federation Communicate with RAF Personnel and Families? The Federation staff man a telephone âhot-lineâ from 1000 hrs-1500hrs Mon-Fri and are contactable via the website and e-mail for those who wish to raise issues with them or simply seek advice on a family-related matter. The Federation issue a quarterly magazine in December, March, June and September and it is also available on-line. The magazine focuses on issues of concern to RAF personnel and families, seeking specialist inputs from policy staffs to ensure RAF families are kept up-to-date with developments. It supplements the sign-posting on offer via the website. The Federation also has a programme of unit liaison visits to meet serving personnel and their families. How long has the RAF Families Federation been in existence? It was on 21st November 07 that the RAF Families Federation was formally inaugurated by the RAFâs Air Member for Personnel, Air Marshal Stephen Dalton at its offices at RAF Wittering. Air Marshal Dalton said at the launch: "I have watched with increasing optimism as this new Federation has evolved over the past few months and I am confident that the team can, and will, deliver a meaningful service to RAF families," Air Marshal Dalton explained. "Some would say that the RAF leadership does not take into account what families think and others that there is simply no point in the Federation as it has no authority to achieve anything meaningful. I do not subscribe to either view.HOW DO I CONTACT THE FEDERATION Telephone: Federation staffs are available to answer calls weekdays between 1000 and1500hrs. Website: www.raf-ff.org.uk E-mail: Contact via the website at www.raf-ff.org.uk Address: 13-15 St Georges Road Wittering Peterborough PE8 6DL Register to Receive the Federation Magazine Envoy â It's Free! The Federation produces its own quarterly magazine Envoy . It is informative, relevant, factual, useful, current, interesting and an all-round good read. It is written in non-RAF speak and is intended for both RAF serving personnel and family members. It is available free of charge on units or can be sent direct to home addresses, again at no charge. To register to receive Envoy, go to the Federation website home page and follow the link from the blue bar. |
Who Works at the Federation?
Dawn McCafferty - Chairman
The Chairman has a team of five full-time and two part-time staff. The full-time staff are: 
Deputy Chairmanâ Chris Taylor
Communications Manager â Ann Dewar
Communications Assistant - Nick Crouch
Issues and Liaison Team Manager â Jenny Ward
Liaison Team Member â Colin Jones
Admin Co-Ord â Julie Goodson
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