Book club: Egg-cellent tale

In this edition’s Army&You and Reading Force Book Club, a service youngster tells us what he thought of Call The Puffins! Tiny’s Brave Rescue by Cath Howe and illustrated by Ella Okstad. TOBY, AGED 7 My...

Nurseries get grants to grow

Last year, under the Early Years Programme, the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust provided 18 grants to childcare providers across the UK. The funds were allocated to projects which aim to improve early years ...

Service children on song

The Service Children’s Community Choir is made up of children from primary and secondary schools across Catterick Garrison and the wider area. Formed in 2021, the main aim of the choir is to support the menta...

Youth work overseas

To find out more about what support Defence offers young people on a posting overseas, AFF Overseas Manager Esther Thomas met Becky Wakefield, Chief Community Development Officer, Army Welfare Service (AWS)… ...

Wraparound childcare FAQs

AFF receives many enquiries relating to wraparound childcare scheme (WAC), which was set up by the MOD to help with the cost of childcare for working military families. It is a capped rate that can be claimed...

Young and old share military life experiences

Chelsea Pensioners and Little Troopers swapped stories of their military lives during a visit organised to celebrate Month of the Military Child. Fifteen children, whose parents are serving in the armed forc...

Month of the Military Child – A chance to shine

Working to support service children and young people as they progress through their army lives is an important part of what AFF does. As well as giving advice and helping families navigate the childcare and e...

Childcare challenges

Finding suitable childcare is tricky for many parents but the unique nature of military life can make it more challenging for army families. Jill Misson reports… Frequent moves and uncertainty around future ...