For over 90 years, the RAF Association has championed a simple belief – that no member of the RAF community should ever be left without the help that they need.
Alongside our bespoke wellbeing courses, we reach out to thousands of servicemen and women, past and present, right across the country to help them in their time of need.
Whether it’s by providing friendship, key advice, financial assistance, or retirement living accommodation, we bring vital support to people across the RAF community whenever they need it.
For over 90 years, the RAF Association has championed a simple belief – that no member of the RAF community should ever be left without the help that they need.
Alongside our bespoke wellbeing courses, we offer services to hundreds of thousands of members of the RAF community.
Whether it’s by providing friendship, key advice, financial assistance, or retirement living accommodation, we bring vital support to people across the RAF community whenever they need it.
Watch the short film below to find out more about the RAF Association:
The RAF Association is one of the oldest military charities, with a 90-year history of support to the RAF community.
1,000,000
More than a million people make up the RAF community, to whom we offer support.
40,000
Our dedicated contact centre receives nearly 40,000 enquiries during an average year, and we support more than 85,000 beneficiaries through our sector-leading welfare service.
4,500
We offer specialist training and advice to the RAF community. Our online services – Finding it Tough? and Navigating Dementia – helped nearly 4,500 people last year.
Our services
For generations we have been a lifeline for beneficiaries, including serving RAF personnel, RAF veterans, and their families.
Here are some of the services we operate to make sure people receive personal and practical support whenever they need it.
Welfare casework
Our dedicated welfare team is on hand to help members of our community, providing a wide range of expert support that’s tailored to individual needs. We actively seek out current or past RAF personnel and their families who are in crisis or in need of support.
Keeping people connected
We provide free Wi-Fi on stations so serving personnel can keep in touch with their loved ones. Our Storybook Wings initiative helps deployed parents still be there for their children at bedtime.
Nurseries on RAF stations
RAFAKidz is a nursery service we provide on RAF stations that delivers fun, affordable and nurturing early years childcare. Every child enjoys stimulating and educational activities in a welcoming environment. Our nursery care truly gives our youngest generation the wings to fly.
Outreach
With 70,000 members and over 300 branches worldwide, our network of like-minded people ensures support is there when it’s needed. The trained volunteers from our Connections for Life service also offer friendship to isolated RAF veterans through regular contact.
Independent living
Our thoughtfully-developed retirement accommodation allows people to retain their independence – with a helping hand available on-site should they need it. It’s a chance to live a full life in a safe environment with like-minded people who share an RAF connection.
Specialist training and advice
Alongside our Finding it Tough? mental wellbeing courses, we also offer our Navigating Dementia service – specialist training and advice for those in the RAF community who care for a loved one with dementia. We also offer assistance with war pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments.
