"The Fund helped me rebuild my life when everything fell apart"

When former RAF Regiment Gunner Kieran Head reached his lowest point, he had no home, no income, and no idea where to turn. Today, he’s back in work, living independently, and beginning to rebuild – thanks to the support of the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Kieran joined the RAF Regiment in 2008, completing his basic training at Bury St Edmunds before being posted to RAF Wittering. Kieran said his four years in service were formative, explaining: "I was a bit of a naughty teenager. The discipline really sorted me out. I loved the camaraderie, the adventure training, the urban training – we spent all our time together. I made brilliant friends and had some great experiences."

After leaving the RAF in 2012, Kieran retrained as an electrician, a career he has now worked in for around a decade.

In late 2025, Kieran’s life unravelled. He experienced a severe mental health breakdown and was sectioned for a week. While in crisis care, his marriage broke down. He explained: "My wife left me, and suddenly I had nowhere to live. I had no money, no transport, nothing. I couldn’t work because of my mental health. I didn’t know where my next meal would come from, let alone how to pay rent."

A local charity placed him in a halfway house, but the environment was unsafe. Kieran said: "It was full of people struggling with addiction. I was there for two months, scraping by, going to food banks. My quality of life was zero."

With nowhere else to turn, Kieran searched online for help – and that’s when he found the RAF Benevolent Fund.

The help Kieran received from the Fund unfolded at exactly the moments he needed it most. The first sign of support came almost instantly: after completing an online form for an immediate financial grant, £250 appeared in his account straightaway. He said: "I had no food. That money got me through the week." It was the first time in months he felt someone genuinely had his back.

When Fund caseworker Matt got in touch, he took the time to really understand what Kieran was facing. Through a full assessment, Kieran felt genuinely heard and supported: "Matt knew exactly what questions to ask. He understood what I needed – even things I didn’t realise myself. It was completely tailored to me."

Kieran explained to Matt that his work tools had been stolen in the halfway house – a devastating blow for someone who depends on them to earn a living. As soon as Matt sent over the police reference, the Fund provided a grant to replace them.

Kieran said: "I can’t work without my tools. I didn’t have the money to replace them myself. It meant everything."

Over Christmas, when money was even tighter, the Fund helped again by providing food vouchers, easing the pressure of a period that could otherwise have been bleak.

Perhaps the most transformative moment came when Kieran needed to leave the unsafe halfway house. Matt reassured him that if he could find a suitable place, the Fund would cover the first month’s rent and deposit. "I found a flat and sent the contract over to Matt,” he said, adding: “Within a few days, the grant was there. It was amazing. I finally had my own space."

Just as things were looking up, the job he’d been promised fell through, leaving him terrified he’d fall behind on rent again. By coincidence, Matt emailed that same day to check in. When Kieran explained what had happened, Matt immediately looked into additional support – and the next day confirmed the Fund would cover another month’s rent.

Kieran said: "It took a massive weight off my shoulders. It was one less thing to worry about when everything else felt so uncertain."

With stable housing in place and his tools replaced, Kieran was able to get back on track. Today, he has a local job as an electrician, just five minutes from his new home.

Kieran said: "Life is brilliant now. I’m relaxed, I’m making rent, and everything’s as it should be. I haven’t seen my children yet, but that will come in time. The important thing is I’m in a good place to rebuild."

Reflecting on the past few months, he explained: "The Fund’s support means everything. Without it, I’d still be in that horrible house – jobless and struggling to eat. They’ve done everything for me.

"For anyone else who might need support, just reach out. The Fund will talk you through it all. They’ll help you figure out what you need. It’s not one-size-fits-all; it’s tailored to you. Making that first call changed my life."

Now settled in his new flat, Kieran is focused on financial stability, future holidays, and rebuilding the life he thought he’d lost.

"I thought at 37 my life was set. Then everything collapsed. But now I’m starting again, and I know the Fund is there if I ever need them. It’s something to fall back on – and that’s a massive relief."