GUERNSEY, June 28 — The Royal Air Force Association is quietly doing a lot more than most people might realize. Think of it less as a veterans’ club and more as a safety net for an entire extended family. Here’s what that means in plain terms: the support isn’t just for people in uniform.
It covers veterans, their spouses, their kids — anyone with a connection to the RAF who happens to live in Guernsey. The exact number of current and former service members on the island isn’t known, but the Association is making sure help is available for whoever needs it.
Heather Chan, chairwoman and welfare lead for the Guernsey branch, put it directly. “The purpose of the Rafa is to support the RAF family, not just people serving, but veterans, families and anyone who is connected to the RAF and overseas here in Guernsey,” she said. The practical upshot?
Her role can range from a simple conversation all the way to direct financial help. “If there’s any issues or anything that people are wanting help with, then I’m the person to contact and I will help in any way.” Chan’s welfare work is tailored to each family’s situation.
The branch can tap into additional funding from the Association’s central organization when needed. That includes help with care costs. “In the past we’ve sorted a wheelchair for someone and a downstairs shower unit for a family,” she said.
“We can go through centralised Rafa and request money for things such as topping up nursing home fees.” The support is open to former personnel regardless of how long they served. But the demand has shifted over the years. The main driver?
The aging of the World War Two generation. “A lot of ex-air force were of the older generation, so there’s a bit less of a demand now for things,” Chan explained.
“There are younger ex-air force people in the island, but the main welfare work was with the World War Two generation.” The true size of the RAF community in Guernsey remains an open question. “It’s difficult to say how many are in Guernsey,” Chan said. “A lot of ex-service people will come back to the island, but don’t necessarily come forward, but there’s no way of knowing.” What’s worth watching next is how the Association adapts its services as the needs of the community continue to change.
With the Second World War veterans who once made up the bulk of welfare cases now fewer in number, the focus may gradually shift toward younger former personnel and their families — even if many of them haven’t yet come forward to ask for help.
