The China Fleet Trust has received a £79,440 grant to deliver a new Submarine Service Wellbeing and Family Resilience Support Pilot, providing dedicated support to members of the Submarine Service community and their families.
The18-month pilot programme is designed to address the unique welfare challenges experienced by members of the Royal Navy Submarine Service and their families, and aims;
- To alleviate loneliness and isolation.
- To maintain and strengthen family relationships.
- To improve and sustain good mental health and wellbeing.
Submarine Service personnel operate under some of the most demanding conditions in Defence. Extended deployments, prolonged maintenance periods, high operational tempo and frequent separation from family and support networks can place significant strain on both serving personnel and their loved ones. Reintegration following patrols and deployments can also present challenges for families adjusting to life together again.
Recognising these pressures, this pilot is designed to provide targeted wellbeing support at key points during the submarine operational cycle, helping individuals and families reconnect, recover and build resilience.
The pilot will support:
- Personnel affected by displaced maintenance periods in Devonport, Faslane and Barrow-in-Furness.
- Families experiencing prolonged separation due to deployments and patrol commitments.
- Personnel returning from demanding submarine patrols.
- Single submariners affected by isolation and separation from their support networks.
- Command Teams seeking to recognise exceptional commitment and reward personnel for sustained operational effort.
Eligible personnel and families will be able to access funded wellbeing breaks at the China Fleet Country Club, including:
- A three-night bed and breakfast stay for families or individual personnel.
- Complimentary access to the Club's Aqua Spa, swimming pool, gym, racquet sports and other health and wellbeing facilities.
- Travel assistance of up to £200 together with Devonport taxi support costs.
- Command-led reward and recognition opportunities.
- Additional welfare interventions where individual or family need is identified.
By reducing financial barriers to accessing respite and wellbeing support, the programme aims to create opportunities for families to spend quality time together, support recovery following operational commitments and help individuals reconnect with wider support networks.
The pilot will also generate valuable evidence on the effectiveness of targeted wellbeing interventions, helping to inform future support for the Submarine Service community.
Deirdre Mills, Director of Greenwich Hospital, said:
"Submariners and their families make extraordinary sacrifices in support of national security. This pilot recognises those unique pressures by providing practical and financial support when it is needed most. By investing in opportunities for rest, reconnection and recovery in a stunning setting, we hope to strengthen resilience, reduce isolation and improve wellbeing across the Submarine Service community, while building an evidence base to inform future provision."
Gordon Hannah, Chief Executive Officer of the China Fleet Trust, said:
"We are delighted to receive this funding, which enables us to expand our support for the Submarine Service community in a meaningful and targeted way. The pilot has been shaped around the realities of submarine life and will provide families and individuals with first-class facilities in which to relax while enjoying a short break from service life in a great location.”
Learn more and book via email: [email protected]
The China Fleet Country Club
China Fleet Country Club supports the Royal Navy and Royal Marines community, offering tailored membership and excellent facilities in Saltash, Cornwall, close to Plymouth with first-class facilities for the whole family to enjoy.