Here at AFF this summer we’re focusing on the changes that you have to deal with as you move through army life. We’re all used to change – both in our personal lives and the wider world – and dealing with it is a fact of life!
Uncertainty is something that goes hand-in-hand with service life, it’s the nature of the job – our armed forces go wherever they’re needed, sometimes at extremely short notice. For our soldiers, and those who are left behind, the challenge is in managing that uncertainty we all feel when changes come our way.
We know about the stresses that a deployment can bring and the importance of effective welfare support but there are many different types of change that families face. These might be managing the impact of career planning on family life – something that dual serving families can face additional pressures with – or dealing with the complexities that can come with an overseas assignment. And for those families facing a relationship breakdown, the related unique army processes can create additional strain.
Therefore, having access to the right information, at the right time, can help us hugely. This is why AFF continues to push for clear and accessible information and guidance on issues ranging from spousal employment overseas to the future of army accommodation.
Understanding what support is available is also key. You told us in our recent survey that many of you were unclear on some of the policies, services and allowances that could help support you with the impact of army life. We’ve raised this and are working with the army to help communicate the support on offer in an accessible way.
Of course, change isn’t always a challenge and sometimes offers a new opportunity. But whatever changes you face, AFF is here to ensure that you have the advice, guidance and information you need to be able to make an informed decision about how best to manage it for your family.
If you’d like to share your views, please do get in touch, contact@aff.org.uk or via aff.org.uk