The RAF Benevolent Fund has appointed a new Director of Fundraising and Communications, with Mike Straney joining the charity’s senior leadership team in May.
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The RAF Benevolent Fund has appointed a new Director of Fundraising and Communications, with Mike Straney joining the charity’s senior leadership team in May.
Read moreNeil Williams, a former Royal Marines officer and now CEO of recruitment agency Crucial Group Ltd, shares his networking top tips.
When I decided to leave the Royal Marines I had no plan other than doing ‘something in business’. Networking was vital in helping me identify and pursue a new career.
At its heart, networking is just a conversation, and the military trains you to be an effective communicator. It gives you the opportunity to meet successful and interesting people, learn from their experiences and find opportunities.
Read moreThis webinar will provide an overview of Royal Mail in the current climate. Former officers, Lyanne Maclean, Head of Fleet, and Simon Carpenter, Regional Head of Delivery Product Deployment, will share their own experiences of the organisation and provide advice on possible career paths for service leavers.
Royal Mail Group is a £10.8 billion business and is the leading business parcel delivery service in the UK, making them well positioned for the online shopping boom. With a workforce of over 160,000, Royal Mail is in the top five largest PLC employers in the UK. The size of the organisation means that there a good quality roles available across the country.
Read moreKindly hosted by Barclays, we will be joined by a variety of local employers who will share their industry insights, and discuss the transition from the military into civilian employment. This is a fantastic chance to hear from officers now in civilian careers and gain some transition top tips. Networking at any stage of your career is vital, and during this event you can make new contacts, hear about opportunities and discuss challenges.
ONWaRD are a free to all networking group hosting monthly meetings in the Manchester. The informal meetings are a chance for officers to network in the North West region and provide support for one another in civilian employment.
Read moreFor nearly 100 years we have assisted former officers and their families to help them in challenging personal situations.
Last year, the Benevolence team dealt with 1,107 cases, providing welfare advice, signposting to other organisations and accessing financial support. The OA awarded £1,369,000 in grants. The team authorised 3,766 financial transactions paid to beneficiaries, charities and suppliers.
Nigel Hare, OA Head of Benevolence, said: “The OA is here to support the officer community in difficult circumstances. Our team is dedicated to providing the best possible service, and we do all we can to help.”
Read moreWe are proud of how we help serving and former officers develop new careers after leaving the Armed Forces, as highlighted in our latest Impact Report.
In 2016-17, the OA Employment Team helped 4,782 officers – a 7% increase from the previous year. In addition, 1,757 new job seekers registered with the OA, an increase of 10% from the year before. The support included 780 career consultations, providing impartial and practical advice, and 1,532 people attended OA networking events.
Read moreSo you think you know the RAF? All 100 years of history? Think again!
For example, did you know the Spitfire was first named something rather less intimidating? Or do you know what the code word angels refers to?
The RAF Benevolent Fund has launched a RAF100 quiz, featuring questions to test even the most knowledgeable aviation experts with multiple choice and true or false questions. Those who pass the test and answer all the questions correctly are given the opportunity to download one of a series of special edition commemorative posters.
Read moreCarers who are part of the RAF Family now have a dedicated support package – thanks to the RAF Benevolent Fund.
The RAF’s leading welfare charity has launched the new service to reach out to unpaid carers who are looking after loved ones and may not realise that help is out there.
The package aims to provide respite, financial and practical support and includes the introduction of new welfare initiatives.
Read moreA major fundraising appeal has been launched by the Royal Air Force and its four main charities as part of the Royal Air Force’s centenary.
2018 marks the centenary of the Royal Air Force, and to celebrate there are a number of events taking place across the country, and abroad. Events include a touring display of aircraft from the past century in cities nationwide to a mass flypast in London, 100-day baton relay and the unveiling of new galleries at the RAF Museum.
Read moreRAF Chaplain, Padre Michael Chatfield has certainly gone the extra mile to raise funds for the RAF Benevolent Fund. Not only has he decided to run the race in a penguin outfit, he had to extend his time on the Falkland Islands to do it!
Padre Michael is usually found working at RAF Odiham, having been posted there in June 2016, but was deployed for a four-month tour in November. He has chosen to take some of his post-deployment leave on the Falklands so he can compete in the Stanley Marathon and fundraise for the RAF’s leading welfare charity.
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Afghanistan support
In light of recent events in Afghanistan, please find information and support resources here
