Fighting With Pride: Q&A with Pete Ashcroft

For Pride month this June, we spoke to Pete Ashcroft, Head of Community Welfare Programmes at the RAF Benevolent Fund, about the Fund’s partnership with LGBTQ+ charity Fighting with Pride and the support available for members of the LGBTQ+ community in the RAF Family.

Can you tell us a bit about the Fund’s partnership with Fighting With Pride (FWP)?

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund was an early support and funder of Fighting With Pride, having partnered with the charity since 2021, working to raise awareness of the support available to serving personnel and veterans of the LGBTQ+ community. We are proud of the relationship we have built during this time, our contribution to help FWP to reach out to more members of the RAF Family, and signposting support pathways.

Why is this partnership important to the Fund?

The recent Etherton Review reminded us of the prejudice and mistreatment of LGBTQ+ people in the Armed Forces who served under the ‘gay ban’. People who had dedicated their lives to serving this country faced unfair pressure, prejudice, and mistreatment. They had their careers cut short, their medals, honours and even dignity stripped from them because of their sexual orientation. As a result, we recognise that some of these people may not feel as if they are part of the RAF Family or recognise that the RAF Benevolent Fund is here to support them.

The Fund has taken steps to ensure that our processes do not discriminate against those who were unfairly discharged. We have educated staff members on the effects of the ban, and we are proud to have been awarded Fighting With Pride’s ‘Pride in Veterans Standard’, recognising the Fund as a safe and inclusive place for LGBTQ+ veterans to seek support.

What welfare support does the Fund provide to the RAF LGBTQ+ community?

Our welfare support offering is extremely comprehensive; from our Telephone Friendship Groups and Community Engagement Workers tackling social isolation; our Listening and Counselling Service supporting people with their mental and emotional wellbeing, to our range of financial grants. In 2023 we supported more than 30,000 members of the RAF Family indiscriminate of their length of service, the nature of their discharge or their sexuality.  

Why is it important to have this support available?

A 2023 report published by Northumbria University and Fighting With Pride has highlighted the lifetime impact of those affected by the gay-ban. For some, we know that the experience has had long term effects on their civilian lives, their relationships, employment prospects and finances, that continue to this day. The Fund has a range of support services available to help members of the RAF Family with these issues; it's important to us that LGBTQ+ veterans know that this support is there for them too.

How can people get in touch if they’d like to enquire about these services?

The RAF Benevolent Fund exists to provide financial, practical, and emotional support to those who have served, are serving, and their families. We encourage all members of the RAF LGBTQ+ Family to reach out to us for support if it is needed. Get in touch with us today if you would like to request our help – please give us a call on 0300 102 1919 or complete our request our help form.