AFF’s new assistants enhance charity’s connection with your community.
As an independent charity, AFF is always looking for ways that we can support you better and this year we’ve hired three new Virtual Assistants to make sure we’re on hand to help outside of normal working hours.
Led by Manager England, Carole Rudd, our VAs are online Monday to Thursday 8am-7pm and Friday 8am to 5pm. “The addition of virtual assistants means there is a dedicated team as a first point of contact,” says Carole. “Our team is friendly, knowledgeable and happy to chat.
“Their normal working day also includes scanning social media for any emerging trends or issues, which helps us build a picture to gather evidence.
“Our VAs offer a more rounded approach and are already benefitting families. One recent enquirer told us ‘I work office hours so it’s nice to speak to someone friendly out of hours for information when you have an issue’. Another added ‘I’ve learnt more from you in the last ten minutes than in my entire army career!’.”
MOLLIE MATTEY
MILITARY CONNECTION: I was an army child and I’m now an army wife.
HOURS COVERED: 2.30pm-7pm Monday to Thursday and 3pm-5pm Friday
“I wish I’d known more about how AFF can help with all things army life before starting work here – I’ve already learnt so much! I enjoy the variety of the enquiries coming through and being the first point of contact feels like a privilege. If we, as virtual assistants, don’t have the solutions, there’s a great team of experienced colleagues who will be sure to know the answer or how to get it. I hope that you utilise the service we provide, we’re a friendly team and very happy to help – I look forward to speaking to you soon.”
NATALIE BACON
MILITARY CONNECTION: I served for seven years before being medically discharged in 2018 and I’m married to a serving soldier.
HOURS COVERED: 8am-1pm Monday to Friday
“I’ve been with AFF since 2018 in a previous admin role and was excited to be offered a post as a Virtual Assistant. Working in a team of three, our role is to be the first point of contact for you – by telephone, email or on Facebook. I share up-to-date information and offer advice in Facebook groups. I deal with lots of different enquiries and no day is the same – I love how varied my role is. In more complex cases, I refer to the relevant specialist or local regional leads. If there’s anything I can help you with, please do get in touch!”
BECKY GREEN
MILITARY CONNECTION: My husband is in the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards. We’ve been married eight years.
HOURS COVERED: 1pm-3pm Monday to Friday “I joined AFF in 2017 and worked as AFF’s London Co-ordinator until 2020. I now spend my mornings as AFF’s Housing Assistant and afternoons as a Virtual Assistant. It’s my job to answer any questions you may have or put you in contact with the correct specialist or regional lead. You can contact us through Facebook, email or by giving us a call (I like to talk – I’m a typical Northerner). I’ve assisted families with a wide variety of enquiries, and I’m here to help with any queries or concerns you may have.”