Welcome to

Airplay

Airplay is the RAF Benevolent Fund’s flagship youth support programme for children in RAF families.

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The programme is delivered by YMCA in conjunction with RAF Community Support, providing supervised activities through Airplay (for those aged eight and over) and Ben Clubs (for children aged five to eight) on RAF stations.

Children and young people can also access Airplay Connect, a secure digital activities resource.

We know that young people in RAF families face unique challenges. Airplay is designed to address these issues by giving children and young people access to facilities and a safe, stimulating programme of activities and some much-needed continuity if and when their family relocates.

Airplay Connect

Airplay Connect is a safe and secure digital resource for all RAF children and young people to access and enjoy.

The online platform allows Station Youth Workers to reach children who might live away from RAF stations or even overseas. It is a forum to engage in fun, educational and interactive activities.With the ever-evolving complexities of RAF communities, Airplay Connect has been developed to extend our support to young people.

With digital interactions commonplace, we want to make it as easy as possible for children in RAF families to enjoy Airplay, wherever they are based.

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Why was Airplay Created

Airplay was developed by the RAF Benevolent Fund in 2010 in consultation with the RAF after a survey found that keeping young people safely occupied was a big concern for RAF families.

Young people in RAF families face unique challenges – long periods separated from at least one parent, moving around the country to new stations (often in isolated, rural locations with minimal facilities), and having to start at new schools and make new friends on a regular basis.

We recognise it’s not always easy and want to help.

Airplay is designed to address these issues by giving RAF children access to brand new facilities and a safe, stimulating programme of activities.

Also, by rolling out at all main RAF stations, children and young people will have some much-needed continuity if and when their family relocates.

Why YMCA

YMCA is the world’s largest and oldest youth charity and 11 of the 148 independently registered YMCAs across the UK have come together to pool their expertise for the sole purpose of delivering the Airplay programme.

The very essence of Airplay continues as it always has done; delivering excellent youth work and play work activities across the RAF’s plethora of stations.

The collaboration of YMCAs builds on the outstanding track record of Airplay by exploiting digital opportunities and expanding the breadth of what the programme provides.

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