Tuesday 12th May 2020
As part of Health Month, we shine a light on the support that is available for Serving Personnel (SP) and families with additional needs.
The Forces Additional Needs And Disabilities Forum (FANDF) is a support group for those in the military who have a family member with an additional need or disability.
FANDF and the SSAFA Additional Needs and Disability Advisor have compiled a guide for service families with family members who have additional needs and disabilities. It includes a wealth of information including how to register an additional need or disability and a directory of support.
In January 2020, FANDF launched their 30th Anniversary report ”Families Fighting on…..” which includes the results of a survey undertaken with serving Forces families with additional needs and disability. The report analyses the results and makes recommendations based on the survey’s key findings.
Both the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund may be able to help with support costs for RAF families who have a family member with an additional need or disability in certain circumstances.
The Armed Forces Chronic conditions and Disability in Defence (AF CanDiD) Network
This network has been established to connect and support Serving Personnel, family members and veterans diagnosed with, or caring for persons diagnosed with, a life-changing or life-limiting condition, impairment or disability. The AF CanDiD Network aims to empower people so that they can help themselves and each other and to educate people by signposting to other networks and to Service welfare professionals.
CanDiD can be contacted by email: [email protected]. Emails are filtered to the relevant single service advocates who seek advice on behalf of the person who has emailed.
Further information
As well as the current Coronavirus advice and guidance, the RAF FF’s website provides a good reference section on all things health-related. You can also sign up to our (free) weekly eBulletin and/or quarterly Envoy magazine to keep yourself up to date generally with updates and information on new initiatives as they go live. Image
Photo by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash.
