RAF Leeming Barrel & Bean refurb supported by £150K grant

RAF Leeming recently reopened its Barrel & Bean facility following an extensive refurbishment. The project, which cost £330,000 in total, was supported by a grant of £150,000 from the RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF's leading welfare charity.

The Barrel & Bean now provides a modern, multifunctional space serving as a café during the day and a bar in the evening, offering a space where families can socialise, browse social media, enjoy the garden or utilise the retail facilities. As RAF Leeming is a particularly remote site with no public transport, the project will benefit the whole population across the station.

Wing Commander Chris Ditch, Officer Commanding Base Support Wing at RAF Leeming, said: "The exceptional generosity of the RAF Benevolent Fund made the refurbishment of the Station's All Ranks' and Families' facility a reality. It really does look amazing and has gone down brilliantly with everyone I have spoken to – from military and civilian personnel to families with toddlers.

"As an isolated Station, it's immensely important for our non-driving dependents to have such a fantastic facility on their doorstep. For those who work at Leeming, taking a desk break or hosting visitors somewhere we can be proud of has made a huge difference."

The RAF Benevolent Fund provides financial, emotional, and practical assistance to serving and retired RAF personnel and their families. This includes grants to help with financial difficulty, free memberships for Headspace, Airplay youth clubs, and more.

Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot, Controller of the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: "I am thrilled that we've been able to support RAF Leeming in the refurbishment of the Barrel & Bean facility. Social distancing measures have affected many of us in terms isolation and loneliness, so this revamped facility will be a really valuable space for personnel and their families here at Leeming."

Over the course of 2020, the RAF Benevolent Fund has launched a range of welfare initiatives to support personnel and their families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. It has introduced a 24-hour emotional support helpline and created an online mental wellbeing zone, as well as offering Headspace memberships to partners of serving personnel. The Fund has also offered a grant of £2,500 to each RAF station to provide an activity and wellbeing pack for RAF children and launched Airplay Connect, an online version of its youth support service.