NAAFI Fund awards over £1 million in latest round of grants
The Trust is excited to announce that the NAAFI Fund has recently made another round of grants, totalling over £1M to over 90 different projects. All projects support the Armed Forces community. These grants follow the incredibly successful initial round of the NAAFI Fund last year.
The NAAFI Fund has awarded grants between £5,000 and £50,000 to British Armed Forces in the UK or overseas for projects that improve the quality of life for serving personnel and their families. Grants this year had a particular focus on reducing isolation and creating community togetherness, with much of the funding being used to improve leisure facilities or to support activities that can be enjoyed during down time.
Steve Marshall, NAAFI Chief Executive Officer, said about the NAAFI Fund
“As we enter our second year of the NAAFI Fund, it is wonderful to see another series of projects being supported across the UK and overseas. This year, we have funded a wide variety of initiatives and we are looking forward to seeing the positive impact these make on the Armed Forces community throughout 2022”.
Anna Wright, Chief Executive, The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, said “We are delighted to have been part of awarding these grants again. We throughly support the good work the NAAFI Fund is doing and are very pleased with the impact the awards have already had in the Armed Forces Community.”
Projects Overseas
One project ‘Community Multi Use Games Area’ was awarded £48,040 at Nicosia Station, Cyprus. This grant will go towards constructing a Multi-Use Games Area in the centre of the Nicosia Station. It will provide a safe and accessible communal area for sports and exercise to service personnel, spouses and children all ages.
WO2 Mallinson said about the funding “This grant is amazing news for the long established British community in Nicosia. Already there is a brilliant vibe buzzing around the estate and the kids can’t wait to see this erected on our patch. This will pull the community closer together and provide a much needed facility for many years to come. A massive thank you from everyone in Nicosia on Op TOSCA.”
Huge Impact in Enhancing Welfare Facilities
The NAAFI Fund considered that some projects may have bigger ambitions and responded in making a small number of grants more than £20,000. One such award went to the 1st Infantry Training Battalion, and they have been awarded £28,543 for the project ‘Beharry VC Centre – Facelift’.
Commanding Officer Lt Col Brookfield has said about the funding “On behalf of The Infantry Training Centre and 1st Infantry Training Battalion, I wish to convey our thanks for the ongoing support of NAAFI and express how delighted we are to receive this very generous grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and NAAFI Fund.
We deliver world class Infantry training to in excess of 1000 Line Infantry soldiers per year. It is a demanding course, delivered over a 28 week period, which tests recruits to their limits both physically and mentally. Providing welfare and support to their time here is essential, and this exceptionally generous grant will have a huge impact in this domain – enhancing welfare facilities which include; cinema, social and gaming spaces, supporting recruit mindfulness and time out and reinforcing an overall positive initial experience at the start of their careers in the Army.”
The ‘Lived Experience’ of Armed Forces Families Life
NAAFI Fund knows how important it is to support Armed Forces families, many of whom are faced with upheaval by moving house every few years. Understanding the needs of Forces Families and providing funding to the facilities and surroundings on base, can make all the difference.
‘Britannia Royal Naval College Children’s Play Area’ was awarded £24,676. The aim, to help serving personnel and their families be active by providing activities or enhancing spaces to socialise and to improve mental health.
WO1 R Slaughter RN had this to say about the NAAFI Fund award “Having been awarded the NAAFI Grant for a children’s play area, it will enhance the “lived experience” of many of our Military and Civilian staff and their families. This project will enhance our continued ambition to support our whole force and visiting personnel, whilst providing a focal point for family events”
Find out more
Thanks to NAAFI, this funding will continue to be provided annually in the years to come. More information can be found in the NAAFI Fund programme guidance.
For a full list of awards made so far, please click here.