The AFF team presented at the Heads of Location annual conference in Belgium last month, where they talked about the service that AFF offers to personnel and their families posted in mainland Europe and Turkey.
AFF’s Overseas Manager, Esther Thomas, and Lesley Slater, who is based in the European Joint Support Unit (EJSU) in Belgium, presented to representatives of the 14 National Support Elements. The NSE look after the 4,000 strong military community in more than 100 locations across Europe and Turkey.
Esther and Lesley were able to update them on the key issues that personnel and their families raise with AFF about both living in, and moving to and from postings in their areas and the work we are doing both to support families and to raise their issues to policy makers.
Katherine Houlston, AFF’s F&C Specialist, also delivered a virtual brief for non-UK nationals on recent visa policy changes. WO1 Debs Fairclough, Head of Location South Belgium, said: “The F&C team offered excellent advice for members of all three Services, going above and beyond to ensure that serving personnel and their families have the most up to date information for their cases. The support given at a very stressful and emotional time for the families has been invaluable.”
The team also met the welfare team and staff from DIO Europe, Defence Children Services and the HIVE, which resulted in a better understanding of the EU landscape, including current resources and future priorities.
POSTED ON 17 APRIL 2023