4Children launches youth work projects for RAF

The £4m project is being run through a partnership between the RAF Benevolent Fund and 4Children and follows a consultation with families at bases. Their second biggest concern, after housing, was a lack of activities for their children.

Activities being provided over the next three years include circus skills, dance workshops and after-school drop-in clubs.

Similar activities were previously run directly by the RAF "but operational pressures have meant that staff are no longer available to run them", according to a statement from the fund.  

Paul Hughesdon, RAF Benevolent Fund policy and welfare director, said: "This youth worker programme will help reduce the stress on serving families, particularly those on operational deployments who worry about the welfare of their children while they are away.  

"RAF families are very often based in isolated and rural locations where there are limited opportunities to take part in organised activities so we are confident that a safe, stimulating programme of activities for young people on stations will make a significant difference to the lives of serving families."

The activities will also be available to young people living near to the bases.

The £4m funding has been made available as part of a commitment by the fund to invest £10m over five years to improve facilities for young people at RAF bases.