Airplay Youth Support

Airplay is the RAF Benevolent Fund's £24 million support programme for RAF children and young people aged 0 to 18, operating at 28 RAF bases across the UK.

Airplay consists of three elements:

• A network of trained youth workers
• The provision of Airplay parks for 5 to 18 year olds
• Childcare centres for the under 5s

As part of its Airplay programme, the RAF Benevolent Fund has commissioned 4Children to provide trained youth workers at 28 RAF stations; this Airplay Youth Support work began in July 2010.

Airplay youth workers are working in partnership with RAF Community Development staff to deliver a structured programme of activities. The initiative is designed to help relieve some of the pressure on highly stretched RAF families. RAF children face particular challenges – parents can be deployed overseas for long periods at short notice and bases are often located in isolated rural areas. This nationwide programme will provide vital continuity to young people relocating from one station to another.

Activities provided through the Airplay programme aim to stimulate and nurture children’s aspiration, ambition and resilience and provide vital support and reassurance to families. The project is the first of its kind for young people in the service community.

Over the first year Airplay Youth Support has reached 1,900 children and young people and increased the number of youth work sessions being delivered by 80%.

As part of its Airplay programme, the RAF Benevolent Fund has commissioned 4Children to provide trained youth workers at 28 RAF stations; this Airplay Youth Support work began in July 2010. Find Airplay Youth Support locations through our searchable map.

Read the current issue and past issues of  RAF Youth Support Newsletter and find out more about the activities deivered on all 28 RAF bases across the country, this summer. 

• Issue 1

• Issue 2

For more information, read the Airplay Youth Support Objectives and Pledges to Young People and Parents.

What people say about Airplay Youth Support

Carlie, Aged 12

“I moved to RAF Benson not too long ago, and found it hard to start again. I met some really nice guys that go to my school, and they invited me to youth club so I went one Monday. I really enjoyed it there, Sue greeted me, and told me what there was to do there, and my new friends helped me settle in. Now, I go every Monday and have met some more friends, and I have a laugh there. The adults are friendly and we can go to them if we have problems, and it’s a good start to the week.”

Senior RAF Officer:

“I have never known so much activity come out of the youth club.”

Parent:

“It’s great that somebody is working for these kids.”

Young person, aged 9:

“I like that we do lots of different things at youth club, some things I’ve never done before.”