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Visit Report RAF Kinloss

Life IS different in Scotland!

RAF Kinloss recently played host to the RAF Families Federation. The first Unit Liaison Visit to the Station gave an invaluable opportunity for RAF personnel and their families to meet the Federation staff and to raise issues of concern with them.

During the visit, it was apparent that many Service personnel have concerns about the lack of formal recognition of non-married partnerships, especially those which involve children. The Families Federation has become aware that these partnerships form an increasingly larger part of the RAF family, and Jenny Ward, the Issues Manager, said “As we visit stations we are finding that Service personnel are increasingly frustrated by the lack of recognition of their long-term partners by the MoD and the impact that this has upon housing and allowances. This is an issue the Federation will be investigating over the coming months”.

As the Federation is still in its first year of operation, the team was keen to meet with serving personnel and their families to inform them of their role, their independence from the RAF and the unrivalled opportunity they have to represent the views of families to senior RAF staff and Ministers. During the visit, the team had an opportunity to formally brief the Station Executives, who raised a number of pertinent issues and gave the team food for thought. An informal briefing arranged for Service personnel and their families drew in a small audience but the Federation team appreciated the opportunity to discuss the issues raised by those present, which included the problems faced by partners when their spouses were deployed. The new RAF Kinloss Service Community Support Officer was able to reassure them that the local Welfare Support Staffs were working hard to ensure that all family members were taken care of in the absence of the Service personnel.

The Federation enjoyed meeting with key Community Support workers and during an open forum discussion various topics were raised and noted by the team. These topics included the differences between life in Scotland and the rest of the UK, and the impact this has upon Service Family life. Particular issues were highlighted with regards to location and distance from other family members, the cost of living and access to facilities such as NHS or private dentists.

The RAF Families Federation would like to thank the Station Commander and his team for arranging an extremely worthwhile and informative visit.

If we missed you during our visit, or you have an issue that you think we should know about, please let us know via the website Click here or call us on (01780) 781650.

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