AFF Great Britain - How we have helped
AFF helps many families locally with different issues but for confidentiality reasons we cannot give details of them all.
Local playpark concerns
A family attempted to contact her local AFF Co-ordinator during the summer period. As the Co-ordinator was on leave her enquiry was directed through to AFF Central Office. Mum to two very young children, and with her husband frequently away, Mrs A was becoming exceptionally distressed by ongoing activities at a local playpark, located some 20 metres from her house. This playpark was very much a meeting place for young adults, with drink and on occasion drugs, being consumed there. The area had deteriorated to such a level that local Police were not keen to patrol on foot due to health and safety reasons. Mrs A had found that worry was causing her to lose sleep, and at times feel very depressed about the area in which she found herself living with her two very young children. AFF was able to bring together and involve all interested parties to find a solution to the problem. The Brigade oversaw the process, with DIO sourcing alternative accommodation, aided by a strong report supporting Mrs A’s desire to move provided by a health visitor. The local AFF co-ordinator worked with the local Gurkha Support Officer to liaise with Gurkha families housed in the locality and to ensure their needs were also considered. This is a perfect example of many agencies and departments working together to seek a sensible resolution to an issue.
Bringing agencies together
The following case study shows the value of AFF’s involvement in bringing together agencies working on a family’s case.
A spouse of a serving soldier had been relocated to be nearer extended family, to provide extra family support at a time of extreme stress. Sadly, this support petered out and with mother sick, suffering with both mental and physical health issues, and unable to cope, the children were taken into care temporarily. Whilst the soldier had been given compassionate leave to support his wife, he had been recalled to his parent unit some considerable distance away. The soldier was his wife’s only source of support.
We were contacted by the mother who knew that his return to unit could halt all processes which were in place to allow them access to their children, and in the longer term return them home. The family were happy to consider the soldier leaving the Army to keep their family together, but were unable to get a clear answer from any of the agencies involved regarding possible processes to achieve the desire outcome.
Our local Co-ordinator was able to contact all the agencies involved (obviously after gaining the permission of the family), ensure they all spoke with each other - something which hadn’t happened to that point, and work together to gain the best possible outcome for the family, and especially the children. A solution was found with which the family were happy and looking forward to a more positive future, the posting branch was happy and the unit were happy.
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