Support and friendship
Sometimes help is as simple as a call from a friend
For many elderly veterans living alone, loneliness and isolation is what they find themselves facing, despite the sacrifices they have made for their country.
With the founding belief that this should never be the case, the RAF Association has a UK-wide network of over 540 voluntary Welfare Officers who liaise with ex-RAF personnel and their families in need of support.
Every year, these volunteers undertake almost 68,000 welfare contacts – calls and visits (where permitted) to homes and hospitals; putting people in touch with specialist agencies, assisting with forms for financial help and, very often, simply providing a listening ear.
HWOs and Caseworkers
The RAF Association Honorary Welfare Officers (HWOs) are our vital link to former service personnel in need of support, actively seeking and identifying current or past members of the RAF who are in need or in crisis.
Affiliated to a local RAF Association branch, HWO volunteers are CRB checked and have completed an AIM Awards Level 1 Course.
We are always looking for volunteers of all ages to carry out this important and rewarding work across the country.
In areas where HWOs are in short supply, we also rely on Caseworkers who will take on a higher level of welfare work and handle more complex welfare cases. These workers are Qualified up to Level 2 AIM Awards course (and must have completed AIM Awards Level 1).
Get help, or help us…
If you need our support and friendship, contact your local Area Welfare Office.
For more information about becoming an HWO or caseworker, please contact your local Area Welfare Office or read the job role and download an application form.
