Deployment can be a challenging time, bringing a host of conflicting feelings. Forces Children Scotland, with funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and BFBS Big Salute, has produced an interactive webpage with downloadable resources called the ‘deployment rollercoaster’, which is designed to help alleviate challenges which can impact mental health and wellbeing.
It’s been developed in consultation with young people from the armed forces community, who have shared personal experiences of separation during deployments.
A young person who contributed to the development of the resource said: “I would like other people to learn and understand that we aren’t weak just because we get upset or stressed when our parent gets deployed, we are strong people, and I hope this deployment pack makes it enjoyable and relaxing to use as they go through this difficult time!”
Judith Blair, Learning and Development Worker for Forces Children Scotland, said: “With the launch of the deployment rollercoaster, we hope that it will support children and young people with their mental health and wellbeing and will prove to be a successful and trusted resource to use in the future.”
Talking mats communication tool
Forces Children Scotland, with funding from The Army Benevolent Fund, has also developed a communication tool which supports military children with additional support needs (ASN). Talking mat is a visual communication framework that supports young people with communication difficulties to express their feelings and views.
The topics covered include communication, separation, moves, asking about non-serving parents, friendships, self and sibling care, and coping with feelings.
To find out more, go to forceschildrenscotland.org.uk