FAM Aldershot: One year on
This February marks one year since the Future Accommodation Model (FAM) pilot was launched at Aldershot Garrison. Despite the challenging times everyone has experienced over the past year due to COVID 19, the FAM Cell in Aldershot has been working diligently throughout to support Service personnel to find out about and apply for FAM. In fact, over 500 applications processed to support personnel to have more choice over where, how and with whom they live and get financial support to do it.
Why FAM?
FAM has something to offer many eligible personnel regardless of their circumstances. Whether you’re living in in Single Living Accommodation or Service Family Accommodation (SFA), with widened entitlements for Service personnel in Established Long Term Relationships (LTR(E)) or those with visitation of their children over 80 nights. Or receiving additional financial support to rent or buy a home. The current pilot sites for FAM are HMNB Clyde, Aldershot Garrison & RAF Wittering.
Here’s what some Service personnel taking up FAM told us about the impact of FAM on their lives:
Independent living
WO2 Cat Boslem gets support through FAM to rent a home with her partner in a pretty village near work. She says: “FAM has helped free me and my partner up financially. We’re going to be here for a while, so it’s nice to know that help is there.” “Definitely consider FAM. It’s an opportunity. Simple things like getting your own kitchen to cook your own meals, or having a garden to sit out in, are massive changes to your life that you miss out on if you’re in SLA.”
Enough room for all the family
Major Lisa Brown has been supported by FAM to move into a house big enough to raise her family. She says: “It was such a challenge with six of us in a four-bedroom house especially during lockdown, but now the kids have their own dedicated area with lots of space for learning, colouring and crafting, and plenty of storage for their toys and books.” “My quality of life has massive improved”
Modern parenting
Lt Col Farrelly was eligible to apply for a Service Family quarter and move into a home suitable for his young daughter to visit him at the weekends. He says: “It surprised me the number of different options available through FAM to suit people of completely different circumstances.” “My daughter loves it - she knows she's got her room at with mummy and now one here with me too.”
More information
Visit GOV.UK and search ‘Future Accommodation Model’ to find out more, watch the FAM videos and read more about the available options.
You can also access Discover My Benefits to find out what payments and allowances you could receive if you are eligible. This will give you a personal calculation for FAM.
You can also explore the Pilot site Defence Connect pages:
* RAF Wittering
* Aldershot Garrison
* HMNB Clyde
Support and Advice
You can contact the FAM Cells directly too:
* HMNB Clyde: people-famcell-cly@mod.gov.uk
* Aldershot Garrison: people-famcell-ald@mod.gov.uk
* RAF Wittering: people-famcell-wit@mod.gov.uk