Since 1919 the RAF Benevolent Fund has provided support and assistance to the RAF Family.
The RAF Benevolent Fund offers a range of support services to all serving RAF personnel, veterans and their dependants including grants to help with financial difficulties, support for young people and assistance with care needs.
Supporting the morale and wellbeing of RAF personnel, veterans and Reservists is an important focus for the charity. This is why the RAF Benevolent Fund is working in partnership with Relate to provide access to free relationship support and counselling.
What's on offer?
Relationship Counselling
Relationship counselling can help couples talk through issues, improve understanding, and make positive changes. It offers a safe, confidential space to work through challenges together. Up to six free sessions are available to couples.
Family Counselling
Family counselling can support you through challenges like sibling conflict, divorce, separation, or adjusting to a new family setup. It can also help with setting new routines or behaviours. Up to six free sessions are available to families.
Children’s Counselling Ages 5-10
Counselling for children aged 5 to 10, focusing on their wellbeing and experiences. Support is available for issues like stress, anxiety, family changes, or school pressure. Children can acess up to seven free sessions.
Young People’s Counselling Ages 11-18
If young people in your household are struggling with school, family, or friends, counselling offers a safe space to talk and can help them feel better. Young people can acess up to seven free sessions.
Online relationship support
The Building Stronger Families platform is a free offering, exclusively for serving Royal Air Force personnel and their families. The platform consists of an online portal containing self-help topics including interactive content and videos with each topic designed specifically to support relationships and families of the RAF.
How to access the services
To access Relate counselling services contact RAFBF at support@rafbf.org.uk or by telephone on 0300 222 5703, Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 4.30pm and Friday 9.30am – 4pm. RAFBF will take you through an eligibility process and you will need you or your partners service number.
We didn’t go to Relate because we had real problems in our marriage – it was just an MOT really. We tend to be united on the big stuff but bicker and argue about silly small stuff and our communication starts to break down.
The Relate counsellor was great in getting us to reset things, really stop and listen and notice each other. In doing that we started to value each other more, make time for each other and the silly, petty grievances just stopped.
I’d recommend anyone who can should go to see a relationship counsellor. It will really help your relationship. I think this is one of the most important things the Fund does.
The Relate counsellor was great in getting us to reset things, really stop and listen and notice each other. In doing that we started to value each other more, make time for each other and the silly, petty grievances just stopped.
I’d recommend anyone who can should go to see a relationship counsellor. It will really help your relationship. I think this is one of the most important things the Fund does.