Getting to know Culdrose
During a visit organised by the Naval Personnel and Family Service, (NPFS) the Culdrose Multi Agency Forum got a closer look at facilities at the Royal Navy’s Cornish Air Station.
The Forum meets every term at Culdrose Community Centre in Helston, bringing together local experts in the fields of Education, Health care and Housing, providing a means to inform others on changes to local authority services. “It’s a unique opportunity for outside agencies to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the Base and its people,” said Sue Collins, Senior Social Worker at RNAS Culdrose and instigator for the acquaint visit. “Culdrose is really like a small village surrounded by a fence.”
It is valuable to coordinate both voluntary and statutory agencies and resources that can promote a better understanding of the unique circumstances experienced by service families. They work well together, coordinating collective and individual packages of support for families often isolated from an extended family support network.
The visitors saw inside the Base’s church complex and were briefed on the role of the Chaplaincy in the Royal Navy by Reverend Tim Wilkinson who explained his pastoral duties to Sailors, their families and Civilian staff. They also experience the Gym on a busy lunchtime and were shown the many facilities of the Sports and the Swimming pool centre. Finally they got a tour around the brand new accommodation blocks available at Culdrose and the new state of the art messing facilities that offer food and catering options throughout the day.
Jackie Trevaskis who works for the Helston Children’s Centre was impressed with the facilities on show said, “This type of visit only goes to Helps in building our links with families for RNAS Culdrose in our remit to support military families”
NPFS supports Royal Navy, Royal Marines personnel and their families in peacetime and war by helping prevent or reduce the effects of personal difficulties, especially those which arise as a result of Service life, in order to optimise the military capability of the Serviceman or woman.