Thursday 26th September 2019
Last week a new community facility to support RAF families living at RAF High Wycombe was opened by Mrs Kate Wigston and RAF Benevolent Fund Chief Executive Air Vice-Marshal David Murray.
The community hub, funded by a £95,000 grant from the RAF Benevolent Fund, will provide space for Airplay and Ben Club, the Fund’s flagship youth support service, a community space meeting room, a consultation room for local clinics and a sensory room for children with special needs.
Addressing the team which co-ordinated the opening, Kate, the Chief of the Air Staff’s wife, said:
“The quality and accessibility of the provision to the wider RAF High Wycombe family is so impressive, it’s clear how much hard work has gone into its set up.”
RAF High Wycombe’s Community Development Officer and Community Hub Project Officer, Dani Bowman, said:
“Without the support of the RAF Benevolent Fund all of this wouldn’t have been possible, it now enables the Community Support team to enhance the welfare service that we provide our people.”
Air Vice-Marshal David Murray, Chief Executive of the RAF Benevolent Fund, added:
“This is exactly the kind of facility we want to see supporting RAF communities, with facilities for all age groups. The Fund’s grant has enabled the transformation of this building into a place for young people to join in our youth programme Airplay, young families to receive advice and serving personnel and their partners to seek support. I’m excited to see how it evolves to meet their needs.”
The Community Hub opened its doors to its first visitors on 19 September when the Ben Club and Airplay hosted an RAF 100 celebration, to invite children, young people and families to experience the new facility.
Dani added: “We’re hoping the Community Hub will be a new focal point for our families.”
Image: Station Commander Group Captain Shaun Harris with Mrs Kate Wigston and Air Vice-Marshal David Murray. Photo Crown Copyright
