The Naval Service has a vast community footprint, both in Units areas and across the Globe where service families are integrated into their local community. Naval Service families do have a common interest and need, so a sense of belonging and support away from local delivery is essential to build the resilience and engagement with their peers who understand their needs and experiences.
The Royal Navy offer activities and events, both in-person and online, through qualified Community staff working within the RN FPS Community & Engagement Team. The Community Development Workers (CDWs) manage the development of community delivery alongside registered volunteers and also in partnership with RN Charities, Local Organisations throughout the UK.
Periodically RN FPS will initiate a Community Needs Analysis in areas highly populated with Armed Forces Families to evidence any gaps in community delivery. This is heavily supported by the Local Authority, Chain of Command and RN Charities.
The following are examples of some of the RN FPS delivery that has taken place across the RN Community:
Surfs Up was a day out to the beach with surf lessons for the over 8’s and fun in the sand sea and rockpools for everyone.
Radford Family Fridays provides the opportunity for partners and spouses to socialise and make friends, sharing advice and experiences on matters such as parenting, childcare, and life within the service community.
Book Club is just one of our online activities. Books are chosen by those in attendance and each person is sent a free copy to enjoy and then chat about the book each month over MS Teams and the RN Forum.
Lego Club is held online with one being specific to adults who love playing with the little plastic bricks.
RN Orientation Is now coming into its second year with the first seeing many family members joining us online to find out what the Royal Navy had available to support them and also gave them time to ask questions.
RN Residential took place in two locations this year so twice as many children and young people could attend to take part in fun learning and challenges in which some had to overcome their fears. Thank you RNRMC for funding these and allowing attendees to make new friends and to make lasting memories.
Family Welfare Grant Days Out included two trips in Scotland. All those that attended Edinburgh Zoo had fun seeing the animals with one attendee donating his water bottle to the Meerkats. The Alpaca Trek needed perseverance and zipped up raincoats, but in true Scot fashion it did not dampen the day!
To find out more, read the full articles of the above, and be a member of the Royal Navy’s online community, register or log in to the RN Forum https://cd.royalnavy.mod.uk/forum/login and join the 19,000 already involved, informed and in-touch with the Naval Service Community.
