Military families in the United Kingdom facing the challenges of deployment can access a range of free resources, support programmes, and material aid. These resources are designed to assist with practical needs, emotional well-being, and maintaining family connections during periods of separation. The following information details the types of free support available, including care packages, baby items, children’s activities, travel assistance, and household services, all sourced from dedicated military family support organisations.
Overview of Available Support
A variety of organisations and initiatives provide free resources to military families. These programmes often operate through direct distribution to family readiness groups (FRGs) or via online sign-ups and requests. Support spans multiple categories, from essential items for newborns to recreational activities for children and practical services for the home. Eligibility is typically tied to active military status, with some programmes specifically for families of deployed personnel.
Travel and Transportation Assistance
Several organisations offer assistance with airfare for military members to visit home before or after a deployment. This support can help families reunite or provide a break during long separations. Specific programmes mentioned include Helping Heroes Fly, Let's Bring 'Em Home, Operation Fly a Soldier Home, Operation Homefront's Miles for Military, Operation Ride Home, and Wings for our Troops. These initiatives may help cover the cost of flights, though the exact eligibility criteria and application processes are managed by the individual organisations.
Additionally, military families may obtain guest passes to accompany a service member to the departure gate or greet them upon arrival at the secure area of an airport. This process requires contacting the air carrier representative at the specific departure or arrival airport to understand local procedures. It is advisable to make inquiries in advance and arrive early, as airline staff may not always be familiar with the relevant policies.
Care Packages and Communication Aids
Care packages are a significant form of support for deployed service members and their families. Operation We Are Here directs individuals to a listing of organisations that send care packages to deployed military personnel. These packages often contain essential items, comfort goods, and messages from home.
For families wishing to maintain communication, several creative resources are available. Operation Paperback allows military families (both adults and children) to sign up to receive a free shipment of books and DVDs, which can be sent to deployed personnel as well. Full Circle Home enables deployed service members to send a love note and a gift to their wives, fiancés, girlfriends, and mothers for Christmas and Mother's Day. Little Patriots Embraced aims to deliver a "LPE Family Package" to each family dealing with deployment, containing items such as a patriotic bear, quilt, relaxing music CD, and a journal.
Children can also participate in creating personalised items for their deployed parent. The "Free Flat Brat TM" programme allows kids to customise a flat character to look like themselves, which is then sent to the deployed parent. The parent can take pictures of the flat character in various locations, providing a fun way for children to see where their loved one is. Operation Gratitude provides "Battalion Buddies" teddy bears to the children of deploying or deployed units upon request from the rear detachment or family readiness officer.
Support for Newborns and Babies
Families expecting a baby during deployment can access free items specifically designed for infants. Military Families Ministry sends baby blankets and quilts to family readiness groups (FRGs) for distribution to expectant mothers whose husbands are deployed. The Carrying On Project provides free baby carriers to military families, aiming to support secure attachments between parents and children during challenging times.
Resources for Children and Teens
A wide array of free activities and materials are available for military children. Operation We Are Here lists activity grants for children of the National Guard and Reserves, who may face unique challenges during deployments. Children can create a newspaper of pictures and stories to send to their deployed parent, fostering connection. Free, downloadable colouring pages and activity sheets are also available, designed to help military children stay connected or cope with a parent's absence.
Other programmes include "Kids Bowl Free" and "Kids Skate Free," which offer military kids one free weekly session of bowling or ice skating at participating locations. Coupons are sent by email and are usable at most military bases. Operation Teammate provides kids with backstage access and unique experiences with local and national sports teams. The Homecoming Box project allows children to save memories, photos, and treasures throughout a deployment to process emotions and share them with their deployed parent upon return.
Household and Practical Services
To ease the burden on families left behind, several organisations offer free household services. Project EverGreen’s GreenCare and SnowCare for Troops programmes provide complimentary basic lawn care, landscape, and snow removal services for deployed service members at the rank of E-6 or below. Services are provided for the entire length of the deployment and can include lawn mowing, trimming, aeration, fertilising, weed control, pest control, spring and fall clean-up, and snow removal. Services vary by volunteer availability.
Build a Sign offers free Homecoming banners for anyone celebrating a military homecoming. Users can upload their own photos and customise the message, paying only for shipping costs.
Discounts and Free Admissions
While not entirely free, significant discounts are available for military families. Blue Star Family Museums offer free admission to military families at hundreds of museums across the country, typically from Memorial Day until Labour Day, though many locations extend these offers year-round. VetTix or GovX tickets provide military discounts for concerts and sports events after the service member verifies their duty status.
Emotional and Community Support
Emotional support is crucial during deployment. Private Facebook groups, such as the one mentioned in the source material, are exclusive to military spouses and significant others. Additionally, online courses like the Deployment Masterclass offer structured support for common deployment challenges.
Conclusion
A comprehensive network of free resources exists to support military families in the UK during deployment. From practical services like lawn care and snow removal to emotional support through care packages and children's activities, these programmes are designed to alleviate some of the burdens of separation. Families are encouraged to connect with their local Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) and explore the listed organisations to access the most relevant support for their specific needs. The availability and specifics of these programmes may vary, so direct contact with the organisations is recommended for the most current information.