As an independent charity, we provide support and guidance on matters affecting the daily lives of Naval service families, acting as an advocate when appropriate to resolve complex issues. As subject matter experts we continue to contribute to academic research and implementation of The Armed Forces Covenant providing evidence and the Naval families’ perspective to shape change and influence policy.
How We Work for You
One of the ways in which we capture evidence about how you are finding life as part of a serving family is by carrying out anonymous surveys. We also promote surveys and studies that other agencies and academic research teams are leading on, if they are relevant to serving Royal Navy and Royal Marines and their families.
Have Your Say
Help inform policy changes by completing the following live surveys:
Military Charities – you are invited to be part of the SCEIP 2026 Equality Insights UK Workshops
Have Your Say
Help inform policy changes by taking part in one of the following:
The Service Charities Equality Insights Programme (SCEIP) is a four-year project, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, that will deliver transformative, systemic change across the Armed Forces charity sector. SCEIP will provide the evidence base to build better understanding of stakeholder needs (particularly veterans from ethnic and faith minorities) and inspire a more inclusive approach to support programme design, development and provision. More details about the project can be found on the SCEIP website: Service Charities Equality Insights Programme
As part of this programme, throughout 2026, the SCEIP team will be travelling across the UK to convene leaders, change agents, and key influencers from across the military charity landscape in a series of workshops designed to strengthen inclusive practice and inform sector-wide improvement. You can view the roadshow leaflet here. To secure your organisation’s place at one of these free events, and help drive sustainable, strategic change across the sector, book now at Eventbrite
If you have any questions, contact the SCEIP team for more information.
The NFF is pleased to be a member of the formal Advisory Group for this programme.
Valuing Forces Families Overseas
Are you considering an overseas assignment? Are you due to move overseas in the near future, are you and your family overseas now or returning soon?
In a bid to improve information to inform family decisions, or indeed for single or unaccompanied assignments, the Naval Families Federation is contributing to a Valuing Forces Families Overseas 3-year programme. We are working in collaboration with the Army and RAF Families Federation on a series of Projects; your feedback can help us shape change.
We would love to hear your experiences to inform our work. Please get in touch to share what went well, what needs to be improved and indeed, if you would take another overseas assignment. Whatever your experience, our overseas specialist would love to hear from you!
Our contact details are here. nff.org.uk/contact
Are you interested in being part of an Armed Forces Community Engagement group?
The Armed Forces Community (AFC) Engagement Group is a new project run by the Centre for Evidence for the Armed Forces Community and funded by the Veterans’ Foundation. Their aim is to convene a group of UK Serving personnel, ex-Service personnel, and immediate family members to collaboratively provide a voice for the AFC, consulting on topical issues impacting the Armed Forces, aspects of the Centre’s work, and current research and evidence.
What would you be asked to do?
This is an opportunity for you to share your views and experiences in supportive online discussions on agreed topics. You may also be asked to consult, co-design, and review materials and resources relating to research and evidence, and inform the Centre’s future priorities, with support and guidance provided regularly.
Membership is voluntary and you would be part of the group for a maximum of two years, although you can choose to withdraw at any time. You would be offered a £25 voucher per hour for attending meetings or designing / reviewing materials and you will need access to a device for online meetings with a working camera and microphone.
How easy is it to find user-friendly information on visas and immigration?
The Families Federations want to find out whether it’s getting easier for non-UK serving personnel and their families to access reliable information on immigration and visas.
In 2024 we ran a survey asking where they went to for knowledge, whether it was readily available and easy to understand, and what barriers, if any, they encountered. It was aimed at non-UK serving personnel, veterans, and any family member who was non-British by birth. The insights they provided were vital in helping us discover whether particular groups found it easier or more difficult to obtain clear and accessible information.
Now we’re preparing to repeat the exercise to understand what, if anything, has changed – and we need your help by filling in the survey by 10 July.
Like the NFF, AFF is an evidence-driven organisation and what our families tell us directly shapes the work we do. Running this survey again will help the Families Federations, the chain of command across all three Services, and other organisations supporting non-UK serving personnel and veterans to identify what is working well and where improvements are needed. The data it provides will guide our work to ensure anyone who needs it can access clear, accurate, and user-friendly information on immigration and visas.
If you’re a non-UK serving person, veteran, or family member, your input will help us make a difference. We’re extremely grateful to everyone who takes the time to participate
Military Connected Children and Young People: Our Health, Our Community, Our Voice
A research team from Northumbria University want to hear from children and young people and have shared the following:
We need your help! We’re asking children and young people from military families to answer some questions and we’d really love to hear from you!
What is it all about? We want to find out what life is like for children who have a parent or guardian in the military. We’re asking questions about your home, your school, your friends, and how you feel. This helps us understand what’s great about military life, and where young people might need more support.
What are Social Determinants of Health? These are just the things around you that can affect how healthy and happy you feel, like where you live, who you spend time with, whether you feel safe, and whether you can get help when you need it.
What will I need to do? You’ll be asked to fill in an online survey. It’s not a test and there are no right or wrong answers! It will take about 10–15 minutes and you can do it at home or at school.
Everything you say is private. Your name won’t be shared with anyone.
Why should I do it?
- Because your opinion really matters!
- To help other children in military families get better support
- Hundreds of young people all over the UK are doing it too and you’ll be part of something really important
Survey for ages 8-11: Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
Survey for ages 12-15: Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
Survey for ages 16-18: Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management