Charity volunteer Nigel Andrews, from Melbourn, near Royston, has been shortlisted in the Welfare Caseworker of the Year category in this year’s RAF Benevolent Fund annual awards.
Nigel, 68, has volunteered as a caseworker with the Royal Air Forces Association for more than 12 years following a 38-year career in the RAF.
Welfare caseworkers perform a key task for the RAF Benevolent Fund, visiting potential beneficiaries and helping them to navigate the application process as well as providing face-to-face consultations which often unearth more areas where the charity can support people.
Nigel’s nominee described him as ‘going over and beyond for the people he helps’ . They added: “Nothing is ever too much for him and he is always happy to help.”
Nigel said: “I became a volunteer as a way of using the skills I had but it soon became infectious. There is great job satisfaction. It’s not a lot different to being a detective, building a case and then getting a result.”
Due to current restrictions, case work has been challenging with volunteers restricted to phone interviews. In response, the Fund introduced an online application process where RAF veterans and their partners can seek support of up to £750.
Al Bennett, Head of Individual Grants at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “We simply could do not reach as many members of the RAF Family as we do without the help of volunteers like Nigel. They tirelessly give up their time to visit RAF veterans and often coax them into asking for help when it’s something which they are reluctant to do.
“These vital volunteers are our eyes and ears in the community, helping us to keep our promise that no veteran or veteran’s partner will face adversity alone.”
Now in its eighth year, the RAF Benevolent Fund Awards recognise the outstanding contributions of its supporters, personnel on stations and corporate partners who support the charity each year. The winners of eight categories will be announced during a virtual ceremony on October 13.
The RAF Benevolent Fund is the RAF’s leading welfare charity, supporting RAF personnel past and present. If you know an RAF veteran in need, go to rafbf.org to find out how the Fund could help.
