Army Of Angels Supports Families Activity Breaks

About Families’ Activity Break (FAB)

We regularly receive news of more fatalities in Afghanistan and, until recently, Iraq.  Indeed, the regularity of another Serviceman or woman killed in action is such that it has almost become secondary news to the papers and television.  But for the families, the impact is far more enduring. 

Bereaved military families are provided with immediate support through Army, Navy and RAF welfare organizations.  But typically, and for very practical reasons, this support drops away after 6-12 months.  Unfortunately, the unique nature of Service life, community, schooling, living environment and lifestyle also falls away, leaving our families suffering not just the loss of their loved one but for Service children the only way of life they have ever known.  Many families talk of feelings of abandonment by the military and sadly report incidents of bullying and emotional withdrawal of their children.      

Aim

FAB aims to provide bereaved military families with an adventurous yet safe environment that promotes and encourages self-confidence, resilience and peer support whilst having fun. 

What is FAB

FAB is a Ministry of Defence (MOD) volunteer project, in partnership with the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) and the Candle Project (bereavement counselling service) that provides activity-based holidays for bereaved military families at YHA locations in England, Scotland and Wales.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for FAB holidays normally involves a child between the age of 0 and 19 years old who has suffered the loss of a loved one (often, but not always, a parent) while serving in the Armed Forces.  All children attending FAB holidays must be accompanied by an appropriate adult carer (usually the parent or guardian). 

Activities on a FAB Holiday

FAB offers a variety of activities through locally contracted service providers (British standards of health and safety, insurance cover and CRB checks are assured).  Activities include top-rope and abseiling, horse-riding; coast steering, mountain biking, high-wire, canoeing, team-building tasks and games.  Families are welcome to undertake all or any of the activities as they wish.  The FAB locations in England and Wales are situated by a beach if families prefer a relaxing bucket and spade experience or visiting local places of interest/beauty spots.  There is no pressure for families to join in with the activity programme but experience shows that all family members gain confidence throughout the week and by the end are fully participating in the holiday.     

Support: Volunteers and Counsellors

Coming from all ranks of the Armed Forces and MOD Civil Service, FAB volunteers take personal leave to attend FAB holidays and fund their own travel costs and expenses.  Volunteers are screened, interviewed, CRB checked, and provided with bereavement awareness training.  We endeavour to match each volunteer with one or two families during the holiday. 

Additionally, each holiday has MOD Community Development Officers/Workers to provide youth work support during non-activity hours and evenings, and activity programmes for children too young to undertake organised events.

Bereavement support and counselling leading up to, during, and after FAB holidays are provided by ‘Candle Project’ counsellors, who also advise on matching volunteers with families.

FAB Programme and funding 2010

Each of 100 bereaved families are planned to attend one of the six, week-long, FAB holidays in summer 2010.  These weeks will be supported by over 75 volunteers, community development officers and counsellors.  Similar programmes will be organised for 2011 and beyond. 

The cost for each family - £50, including food, accommodation and all organised activities - is kept to a minimum in order not to exclude any family on financial grounds.  Financial assistance is also being made available to them for travel costs. 

Clearly, the real cost of running these holidays is much greater than £50 per family.  The MOD funds the Candle Project, and provides volunteers, organisers, and other miscellaneous resources, but the simple truth is that it cannot fund, from very limited tax payers’ money, the entire programme of holidays for “ex –military families”.   

FAB is seeking £180,000 for the 2010 programme, and similar funding will be required for future years. 

Please continue to support the Army Of Angels and help us to help others

Click Here To Go To The FAB/MOD website

The Army Of Angels Supports Families Activity Breaks