As the nation went into Lockdown in 2020, the RNRMC became increasingly concerned about some of its most vulnerable and deserving beneficiaries whose access to basic foodstuffs, either because they were unable to leave the house or because of surges in public demand, was becoming increasingly difficult.

During unprecedented periods of lockdown and social distancing over the last year, more people than ever have felt the sting of loneliness and isolation. Some may argue that prolonged separation from loved ones is part and parcel to all those who serve in the Royal Navy, but against a backdrop of a global pandemic and with ever-increasing enforced restrictions at home, 2020 deployments have been especially hard to bear.

When many people think of Royal Navy communities in geographical terms, they only think of clusters of sailors, marines, veterans and naval families around the main UK base ports of Portsmouth, Plymouth and Faslane.

Many Wounded Injured and Sick (WIS) personnel can feel disengaged from the service through being signed off on shore for long periods of time. The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) works closely with Hasler Naval Service Recovery Centre (NSRC) to support the recovery of WIS personnel and has recently provided a grant to fund a week at Pentillie Estate, Cornwall, allowing Hasler assigned ranks to gain some respite.

Witnessing a succession of event cancellations and postponements last year as well as huge disruption to schooling and very few opportunities for family recreation, RNRMC Head of Grants Anne Carr was determined to do whatever she could to keep a much-loved service for Royal Navy families up and running in 2020, despite the challenges this presented.

Towards the end of 2019 a new online platform launched to help families of serving personnel find employment, supported by a £25,000 grant from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.