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Children playing at RAF Henlow group

Month of the Military Child: BenPlay at RAF Henlow

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Station Grants,  RAF Family, 

To mark the Month of the Military Child this April, we are highlighting our support for RAF Stations through our BenPlay programme. We start this series with a look at our support for BenPlay at RAF Henlow in 2024.

We provide a range of family services available at RAF Stations across the UK, including the BenPlay and BenParenting programme for parents, carers and children from 0-5 years.

The scheme aims to enhance parenting skills, build knowledge on children’s developmental needs, and provides activities to stimulate and support the development of babies and toddlers.

RAF Henlow Ben Play children

In 2024, we awarded a Station grant of £2,500 to RAF Henlow for its BenPlay Stay and Play toddler group.

The Stay and Play sessions are structured following seven key areas of learning to form a foundation for the children’s development. In 2024, the sessions included an Easter craft session, St George’s Day sensory play and craft, an Olympics-themed sports session and water play outdoors.

Warrant Officer Sarah Tuckwell, Service Community Support Officer at RAF Henlow, said: “The support provided by the Fund in the provision of our Stay and Play BenPlay group is really valued by the RAF Henlow community and our sessions in the community centre are consistently well attended.

“We provide different areas for the children to experience, catering to the whole age group, with a variation of stimulating activities week on week to explore, play and interact with.”

Sarah added: “BenPlay regularly receives positive feedback from families each week and has proven to be an important aspect of our welfare provision and community cohesion.”

One parent, who attends the group with her two-year-old child, son: “We really enjoy the sessions; there’s different activities each week and my son really enjoys the messy play.”

Another parent, who attends with her four-year-old daughter, said: “It’s a great facility, right on our doorstep; it’s good to get to know other people on camp in a fun, learning environment.”