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Your Say

Get your voice heard

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 are able to capture evidence about how you are finding life as part of a Serving family is by carrying out anonymous surveys.

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Have your say

Help inform policy changes by completing the following live surveys:

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IMPORTANT: Data gathering for the Modernised Accommodation Offer

We understand many people will be waiting for news on the Modernised Accommodation Offer which has been paused for a review. As part of this review Service Personnel are mandated to undertake action on the JPA system and this must be completed by 12 April 2024. 

This update will be used in conjunction with a survey, which will be available to all Regular and FTRS-FC personnel to better understand the demand for family accommodation. The survey opens Monday 18th March 2024 and closes on Monday 1 April 2024. Service Personnel can find details in 2024DIN01-028 and will also be pushed out on RN DefNet and MyNavy.

Start Survey
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FAMCAS 2024:
Your Family’s Views Matter

Your family’s views are important for shaping the developments of Royal Navy policies and initiatives that affect the lives of the families of our serving personnel.

If you’re married/in a civil partnership with a Royal Navy or Royal Marines service person*, please take the time to complete this year’s RN and RM Families Continuous Attitudes Survey. Your access code is your serving spouse/civil partner’s Service Number.

*Your serving spouse’s JPA must reflect this marital status as of the end of 2023.

The closing date is Monday 22nd April 2024.

Start Survey
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The Life-Q Study

King’s College London are conducting research into the alcohol use, eating, exercise, socialising and experiences of spouses and partners, whether your partner is still in the Armed Forces or a veteran. They are particularly keen to speak to you if your spouse/partner is a Junior Rate.

Participants must be living in the UK.

Success Stories

Here are examples of where your voice has helped to shape support for RN and RM families.

Health & Wellbeing

NHS England support to the Armed Forces Community

NHS England have a statutory duty to engage with patients and they have established a Patient & Public Voice Group especially for the Armed Forces community, to better understand your unique needs.

Your voice heard

The Naval Families Federation are part of this PPV Group, ensuring that the anonymised evidence and feedback you share with us about NHS England services is presented to those who manage and deliver the policies that impact upon the whole community.  You can learn more about this in their latest Impact Report.

Overseas assignments

Overseas Car Finance

new protocol was launched in June 2022 to help ensure that motor finance works better for those who are assigned overseas.

Your voice heard

After being contacted for advice by Service personnel, our team took the experiences shared to the MOD and the Defence Relationship Management (DRM) team, alongside other stories and feedback from the wider Service community.

Education

Immigration Fees

In 2021 we contributed to the Immigration Fees Public Consultation.

Your voice heard

Following the consultation and contributions from specialists in the armed forces immigration world, the government announced a fee waives for personnel who meet certain requirements on termination of service. More details on this can be found here NFF – Immigration Fees Public Consultation Non-UK Military Personnel: The Outcome!

Armed Forces families are subject to ‘Appendix Armed Forces’ of the immigration rules and previous successes in this area include the elimination of serving families paying the immigration health surcharge (IHS), which saves them (from January 2024) £1035 a year, on a standard 5 year limited leave to enter visa which is how the majority of spouses and children enter the UK, this saves them a massive £5175! The IHS fee until January 2024 is £624 per application, per year.

Education

Further & Higher Education Funding in Scotland

In May 2023, the Armed Forces community were acknowledged in the Further and higher education – residency criteria for access to financial support: consultation analysis.

Your voice heard

We presented evidence to the Scottish Government using the experiences you shared with us about access to funding in Scotland. Their response details some of the complexities in this area for our families and states that “Scottish Government officials will consider this matter further”. We continue to advocate on this subject – to share your experiences get in touch with us at contactus@nff.org.uk.

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How we can help you

Get in touch

Contact us with any issues or questions. We are on social media through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn. You can also contact us through our online form using the button below.

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Who to call in an emergency

We are available 09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Thursday and 09:00 – 13:00 Friday. We are closed during weekends and Bank Holidays. For any out-of-hours emergencies, use the link below for help.

Emergency contacts