Armed Forces

Relationship support for RAF personnel, their partners and families

It can be tough keeping relationships together in these difficult times and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund recognises that RAF families and couples face additional pressures, due to long periods of separation, the stress of active service, and having to live a long way from family and friends.

That's why the RAF Benevolent Fund are offering to pay for confidential relationship support for anyone in the RAF, their families and partners, whether they are married, living together, separated, divorced, in a same sex relationship, civil partnership, or coping with the end of a relationship.

The RAF Benevolent Fund is working with Relate who can provide you with advice or counselling on a wide range of issues that can affect your relationship including coping with separation, managing recall, re-negotiating roles, parenting, dealing with affairs, re-establishing trust, communication and sexual difficulties.

Is the service confidential?

Yes. Everything you say to a Relate counsellor will remain confidential. No-one in the RAF will be told that you have accessed these services. You will need to give your service number, or if you are coming alone bring your partner's service number, but this is solely so the RAFBF can check that it is only paying for those eligible for the services.

How much help can I get?

The fund will pay for up to six sessions of adult relationship or family counselling or up to 20 sessions of Sex Therapy for everyone regardless of income. We offer sessions in a number of venues across the county during the day, in the evening and Saturday mornings. If this is not convenient, you can talk to one of our trained counsellors over the telephone or via Skype without the need for you to leave your living room.

The fund will also pay for couples or individuals to attend a Relate relationship coaching course.

For more information call us on 01604 634400 or email us.

Royal Navy and Royal Marines

Relationship support for Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel, their partners and families

Royal Navy and Royal Marines families can face unique pressures. Separation, deployment and time apart can take their toll on family life.

Talking things through with a professional counsellor can help.

You may not even be in a relationship – you may be recently separated, divorced, widowed or have been single for a while. Whatever your circumstances, talking to one of Relate’s friendly and professional counsellors can help you to work through any issues at your own pace.

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) is working in partnership with Relate to offer Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel (serving and former) and their families free access to the following counselling services:

An initial seven sessions of adult relationship counselling, . This can either be face to face, telephone or webcam, whichever way suits you best, even if you are deployed overseas. Call the dedicated RNRMC phone line 01302 380279 to book a session.
An initial seven sessions of family or children and young people’s counselling. Call the dedicated RNRMC phone line 01302 380279 to book a session.
An initial twenty one sessions of sex therapy. Call the dedicated RNRMC phone line 01302 380279 to book a session.

Who's eligible for this service?

This service is available to serving and former personnel and/or their partners and family. Whether you're married, living together, in a same-sex relationship, separated, divorced or single, we can help.

Everything you say to your counsellor will remain completely confidential. No one in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines will be told that you have accessed these services unless there are safeguarding issues. You will need to provide your service number or if you are coming alone bring your partner’s service number to receive the service, but this is simply to confirm eligibility.