Collection
It is difficult to think of any aspect of life which hasn’t been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Since we first went into lockdown in March familiar routines of home, work, school and social life have been disrupted. Some will have found the experience traumatic, others will have been inspired by a sense of togetherness. Some will have had to cope with the personal tragedy of losing friends and relatives. But all of us have had to make changes.
The RAF has approached the pandemic with the pragmatism and dedication to duty you would expect.
We have been talking to RAF personnel to learn how the pandemic has affected them individually, how it has affected the institution and how the RAF has supported communities during this crisis.
Facing a shared threat can bring out the best in us, individually and as a community. Over the next few weeks and months our lives will be turned upside down. We will all face challenges, and at times we will struggle.
We would like to share with you some stories of courage, compassion and personal triumph. We hope that they will give you cause for optimism and remind you of the strength of the human spirit.
Resilience, determination, cooperation and kindness won’t solve the problems we are currently facing, but they will make them easier to bear.
In the year 2000, the ban stopping LGBT+ people from serving in the British Armed Forces was lifted. To mark LGBT+ History month, 20 years after this ban was lifted, hear from a collection of people who were affected by this policy, and from those who are now able to openly serve in the Royal Air Force.