“The Fund’s counselling support got me out of a difficult place”

When Sergeant Alan Ashley found himself struggling with the effects of post-operational stress, he realised he couldn’t face it alone. Reaching out to the RAF Benevolent Fund was a difficult step, but one that helped him start getting the support he needed.

Sergeant Alan Ashley has served for 22 years in the RAF, now working for RAF Police at RAF Force Protection Centre at RAF Honington. Throughout his career, Alan has completed multiple operational tours, including two deployments on Operation Telic, as well as Operation Shader and Operation Pitting - the evacuation of Kabul in 2021.

Following his deployment on Operation Pitting, Alan began experiencing ongoing mental health challenges, including symptoms consistent with post-operational stress. Over the following years, he sought informal support through chaplaincy (padre) services, but his condition persisted.

By 2025, his situation had worsened significantly. Alan said: “Since Op Pitting, I’ve had post-operational stress. It had been building up for years. In 2025, I had a wobble – it really caught up with me.”

At this critical point, Alan was encouraged by his unit padre and medical centre to contact the RAF Benevolent Fund. He said: “I reached out myself. It was extremely emotional; I remember crying in the office after making that phone call.”

As a former Air Cadet, Alan had known about the Fund for years and regularly saw its presence on station and during briefs throughout his service. The Fund responded quickly, arranging access to counselling support through its Listening and Counselling Service.

Initially apprehensive about counselling, Alan soon found the sessions invaluable. He said: “Counselling had negative connotations for me at first, it took a session or two for me to settle in. But once I did, it was really helpful. It gave me a quiet, personal space to talk.”

The support helped him manage his stress, reduce overthinking, and begin to process his experiences. “It helped me start closing some of the doors on my issues. It made a massive difference at the time.”

Although counselling provided meaningful support, Alan’s mental health journey has continued. Following a further incident after completing the counselling, he was referred to services on camp for more intensive treatment and is now being assessed for probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Alan added: “At the time, I thought I was through it, but it’s spiralled again. Right now, I need more specialist support.”

Despite ongoing challenges, Alan remains clear about the difference the Fund made at a critical moment in his life.

“Back in 2025, it got me out of a really difficult place. There’s no shame in saying you need help. I just wish I’d done it earlier instead of waiting until I was in a bad state.

“It’s a constant comfort knowing it’s there for me. Even when I leave the RAF, I know I can still reach out.”

He said: “You hear about the Fund from friends, read about it in RAF News – it’s good to know the support is there for people.”

Alan completed a fundraising challenge to give back to the Fund in May 2026. He said: “Every pound helps. It all goes into supporting serving and retired personnel, no matter how small the amount.

“If you feel like you need a bit of help just reach out. Don’t wait until things get worse.”