Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) is proud to launch its ‘Strengthening Families – By Your Side’ booklet, a vital resource designed to provide ongoing support to serving personnel and their families through periods of deployment or separation, available in hard copy or via RNRMC’s website.
The booklet highlights the RNRMC’s work with a number of organisations to support the unique challenges of naval life. It lists a range of resources to help families navigate service-related pressures, including deployment, separation and everyday wellbeing. Recognising that families come in many forms, the support is open to Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel, including reservists, and anyone they consider ‘family’.
It offers guidance and practical support across four key areas:
Whole Family Support – Strengthening bonds, providing respite, and creating opportunities for shared experiences.
Relationship Support – Helping individuals maintain strong, healthy relationships despite the challenges of service life.
Parenting Support – Equipping parents with skills and resources to help children thrive in a military environment.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support – Promoting resilience, positive mental health, and access to expert support when needed.
A Pathway of Support
The booklet details different levels of assistance to ensure that every family can access support tailored to their needs:
Peer/Friendship Support – Community events and informal networks to help families connect.
Community Support – Activities designed to alleviate loneliness and provide early intervention.
Community-Based Interventions – Specialist support for specific challenges.
Professional Interventions – Expert-led assistance for more complex situations.
PO Michelle Williams, a medical assistant, serving on HMS Prince of Wales has two children with her wife, a Chief Technician also currently serving in the RAF. Michelle said:
“As a serving member of the Royal Navy, I know how challenging deployments and time away from loved ones can be. The ‘Strengthening Families – By Your Side’ initiative is a fantastic resource, offering real, practical support for our families, who are the backbone of what we do. Knowing that my family has access to this kind of help and guidance gives me peace of mind, allowing me to focus on my role, wherever I am in the world.”
Andrew Jameson, CEO of RNRMC said:
“RNRMC is committed to providing practical, meaningful support to the Royal Naval community. ‘Strengthening Families – By Your Side’ is about ensuring that no Royal Naval or Royal Marine family, in whatever form that family might take, feels alone. Whether it’s through peer connections, professional guidance, or wellbeing initiatives, we are here to help. We encourage all naval families to explore the support available and reach out whenever they need it.”
